Seasonal Naturalist

Job Description:

Seasonal Naturalist

Description

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values: stewardship, integrity, collaboration, respect and innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This position will be located at Onondaga Cave State Park, 7556 Highway H, Leasburg, Missouri and is a temporary seasonal labor position that will assist staff in the daily operations of the park.

The duration of assignment will be March through October of 2026 and will entail working weekends and summer holidays.

• Guide cave tours of Onondaga Cave and Cathedral Cave.
• Provide information to park guests in the Visitor Center.
• Clean Visitor Center facilities, including bathrooms, recycling, gift shop, nature room, outside the Visitor Center.
• Present evening nature programs for campers.
• Perform trail maintenance and stewardship work around park.
• Possibility of assisting with tasks at Meramec State Park.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Interpretation (Resources) : Ability to coordinate, manage and direct interpretive or educational programing related to natural or cultural resources in a way that conveys significance to visitors; connecting them to personal relevance, shared learning, meeting specific learning objectives (i.e. educator or community needs), informing public about compliance and safety, supporting management of natural or cultural resources representative of national heritage, and enhancing mutual understanding for individual and social benefit.

Other Preferred Qualifications/Experience/Special Job Requirements:

• Stewardship (Resources) : Basic knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of natural and cultural features along with special ecological stewardship requirements; capable of gaining experience in performing stewardship tasks required for strenuous outdoor work; ability to appear before the public, makes clear and convincing oral presentations; give out general information, conduct interpretive educational programs and conduct tours about natural and cultural history in an effective way; assist in supervising, recruiting, training and evaluating seasonal and volunteer staff.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs and walk over uneven terrain for long periods of time.
• Experience with power equipment (i.e. brush cutter, chainsaw, backpack sprayers, etc.) preferred [Needed trainings will be provided].
• Attending a college or university with at least a freshman standing and majoring in any of the natural sciences, history, cultural resource management, outdoor recreation, or interpretive services
• Ability to speak audibly to the public and provide information to a wide audience.
• Ability to hike 4 or more hilly miles a day in the 57-degree cave environment.
• Ability to work into the fall, preferably into October.
• Ability to keep busy when not on tours with cleaning and various other tasks that arise.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Experience to be gained:

• Trail maintenance and best natural resource management practices
• You will gain experience in researching, preparing, and presenting nature programs to a variety of audiences.
• You will gain hands-on knowledge with methods used to promote natural stewardship, including identifying and treating invasive species.
• You will gain the ability to work a job with diverse duties.

Tasha Gabel, 573-522-3760, tasha.gabel@dnr.mo.gov

Or

Sally Namassy, Recruiter at dnr.recruiter@dnr.mo.gov

Salary:

$15.00 per Hour