Working Title: Interpret Naturalist 2

Job Class: Interpretive Naturalist 2

Agency: MN Department of Natural Resources

• Job ID : 76693

• Location : Fergus Falls

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 05/15/2024

• Closing Date : 06/04/2024

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Department of Natural Resources

• Division/Unit : Parks and Trails

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Days

• Days of Work : Varies

• Travel Required : Yes (Occasional for meeting, trainings, and outreach)

• Salary Range: $24.20 - $35.13 / hourly; $50,530 - $73,351 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

The DNR is currently seeking to fill One (1) Full Time Interpretive Naturalist 2 position shared between Glendalough State Park and Maplewood State Park near Fergus Falls MN. Work hours and workdays varies including weekends and holidays work shift is days.

This position exists to develop, implement, and publicize a welcoming and inclusive year-round state park and trails interpretive and information service; to enhance the public's awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the natural, cultural, and recreational resources at Glendalough State Park and Maplewood State Park and other nearby PAT units; to change visitor attitudes and behaviors in order to foster resource stewardship; and to inform the public about the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) programs and current environmental issues.

Interpretive services participants include park visitors, local communities, under-served populations, organized groups, public and private schools, other units within the Minnesota DNR, parks support groups, special interest groups, volunteers, media outlets, and other governmental organizations.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop, present, and evaluate programs that include multiple perspectives and use a variety of interpretive methods and techniques. Presentations are primarily provided in-person.

• Recruit, train, lead and schedule interpretive program interns and volunteers in collaboration with the park naturalist team and supervisors.

• Identify local communities underrepresented in parks and trails and provide interpretive experience for them that provides awareness of facilities and programs.

• Reach out to under-served audiences and provide inclusive interpretive experiences.

• Promote programs and events online, through publications, and with media and community organizations.

• Research natural and cultural history information from a variety of sources to develop interpretive activities, write content for exhibits, and answer visitor questions.

• Perform administrative functions such as tracking program attendance, writing reports, managing budgets, and participating in staff meetings.

• Serve as technical resource for local community, park visitors and staff by providing information about area and park resources.

• Discuss and exchange information on park operations, interpretive services, and resource management issues with park staff team.

• Participate in the development of park unit interpretive plans and park management plans.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor‘s degree in environmental education and interpretation OR one of the physical sciences such as ecology, zoology, botany, geology OR a cultural resource-focused degree such as Indigenous Studies, history, anthropology, archeology OR parks and recreation management OR an equivalent.

• One year of professional experience that includes responsibilities for developing and conducting natural and/or cultural resource interpretive programs and services.

Additional Requirements include the following:

• Advanced human relations skills to create and maintain positive, professional work relationships with staff and positive experiences for park visitors.

• Advanced oral communication skills to

• Present information on environmental and cultural values and facts and theories in a clear and understandable manner to diverse individuals and groups.

• Provide direction to staff.

• Participate in media interviews.

• Experience in public speaking , interpersonal communication, interpretation, or education.

• Organizational skills to develop schedules and implement interpretive services.

• Skills in cultural, historical, and natural resource research and literature search techniques.

• Writing skills sufficient to develop materials, compile reports, and write interesting and educational newspaper articles.

• Understanding of interpretive techniques including the ability to assess audiences and the effectiveness of interpretive media.

• Ability to manage visitors and deal with emergency response situations.

• Ability to communicate effectively with customers / stakeholders and understand information.

Preferred Qualifications

• Understanding of educational curriculum and materials to develop activities for K-12 students, assess the effectiveness of these activities and train others to use the park for education.

• Experience developing relationships with communities that have a culture different than one’s own or course work in diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.

• Knowledge of the natural resources and cultural history of Minnesota.

• Knowledge of the local indigenous cultures and perspectives as they pertain to the natural resources and cultural history of the region.

• Knowledge sufficient to identify plants and animals.

• Experience providing outreach to underserved populations and communities.

• Experience supervising or leading the work of others.

• Understanding of basic interpretive exhibit and display standards and techniques.

• Ability to communicate in a second language.

Additional Requirements

• This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s license with a clear driving record.

Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodations.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

It is policy of the Department of Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment. The background check may consist of the following components:

• Conflict of Interest Review

• Criminal History Check

• Education Verification

• Employment Reference / Records Check

• License / Certification Verification

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.