DESCRIPTION

During summers at the Discovery Center, the Seasonal Naturalist serves as not only a guide for drop-in activities and a welcoming, friendly presence for visiting families and groups, but also as a core member of our youth and family programming team.  This individual is responsible for facilitating positive, intergenerational experiences for nature center visitors, garden maintenance, activities including interpretive hikes, live animal care, our Eco-series programs for 4-10 year olds, and for incorporating the use of adult volunteers, as well as assisting in other staff led programs such as canoe and hiking trips, offsite environmental programming and citizen science monitoring projects.  

EXPECTATIONS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Delivering high quality, engaging programming to youth and family groups.

• Develop curricula and lesson plans for programs, activities and drop-in crafts.  Prepare the classroom, Nature Center, and all materials.  Manage volunteer involvement and youth mentoring.  Co-lead, lead (or train and schedule volunteers to lead) weekly programs. Ensure excellent records of attendance.

Greet visitors and members.

• Welcome guests and members to the Discovery Center. Encourage a variety of ways to get involved with the site and the organization.  Answer questions on trails, organization history, and opportunities for activities.   Guide groups to interact in the manner that best fits their interest, ages and timeframe.

Lead interpretive hikes, tours and programs.

• Lead experiences on trails and grounds including information on local natural history, ecology, and site-specific highlights.  Lead hikes on our interpretive trail, spend time maintaining our Nature Center exhibits, live animals, as well as assist with the care/maintenance of onsite gardens and native plantings. 

Participate as part of the dedicated Program Team at the Discovery Center

• Work a flexible week including some evenings. Assist in programs, special events and fundraisers, and community outreach.  Assist with live animal feeding, cleaning and habitat maintenance on a weekly basis.  Assist with storytelling initiatives for the organization, newsletter pieces, picture-taking, and member-board-staff presentations.  Complete a project before the end of the season that benefits the Discovery Center education curriculum or physical grounds. 

WHAT YOU BRING

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, a positive attitude, and dependable organizational skills.
• Strong work ethic, reliable with the ability to self-motivate and work independently.
• Passion for working outdoors with experience and ability to lead and successfully interact with people and volunteers of all ages in an informal setting (the outdoor “classroom”), especially children.
• At least one year experience working with youth in an educational setting, with some experience developing and implementing curriculum and lesson plans.
• Recent graduate in environmental education/interpretation, outdoor recreation, environmental science, natural resources, wildlife biology, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated interest in outdoor recreation, silent sports and conservation, with a basic understanding of the ecology and natural history of the Wisconsin environment, plants and animals (or a strong willingness to learn), gardening experience and passion a plus.
• Collaborative with supervisors and a high degree of integrity and trustworthiness.
• CPR and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain upon hiring.

THE EXPERIENCE YOU WILL GAIN

Extensive knowledge in curriculum development, program delivery, animal husbandry, volunteer supervision, verbal/written communications and interpretation, visitor services, record keeping and data entry.

COMPENSATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• Compensation: $1,300 monthly stipend and includes free shared onsite housing.
• Hours: Minimum 40 Hours/week with usual Tuesday-Saturday work week. Evening, weekend, and holiday work are required but position does provide a good deal of flexibility for days off.
• Length of Service: 4-months, approximately May 5 – August 30, start and end dates may be flexible, as well as possible extension of employment into the fall season.
• Internship Opportunities: Position may be adjusted to earn school credit for internship or work-study projects. Option to discuss these opportunities during the interview process.