What are the responsibilities and job description for the Naturalist Assistant position at Calumet County, WI?
Summary Under general supervision, instructs school groups, organizations and general park visitors in environmental educational programs and conservation practices. Assists in routine maintenance of nature study area. Performs varied office, program, and concessions work. Performs related duties as required.
Examples of Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Develops and presents environmental/outdoor education programs for school groups, organizations, and general park visitors; assists in conducting interpretive hikes and tours; and assists in setting up workshops and special events.
Assists in development and maintenance of modern, interactive, and educational displays and exhibits; and nature study trails, prairie and wooded areas, and caves.
Cares for nature center live animal displays, feeding, cleaning and assists in general nature center maintenance.
Attends to the routine administration of the Parks Department including; but not limited to, performing department office and clerical duties; coordinating park activities; performs a variety of accounting/bookkeeping functions; and assists in the general direction of work of the Concessions and Casual Office staff.
Explains policies, procedures, interpretation of administrative decisions, and instructions in response to telephone or personal inquiries from park visitors, and the public. Assists with compliance of department policies, procedures, county ordinances, and state law. Administers violation notices and follow-up letters.
May serve as a representative of the nature study program.
Conducts nature programs at other facilities.
May assist in the development and maintenance of brochures, department website, promotional materials, and other aides for the Department. Promotes use of the parks through writing press releases, advertising and other forms of public relations including social media.
Maintains records and correspondence of nature study programs. Assists in budget accounting and other financial accounting as it relates to nature study programs including, but not limited to collecting fees, banking, and receipting money for fee-required programs. Maintains Nature Center inventory and ordering supplies, as required.
Assists in cave restoration and maintenance work, including, but not limited to: excavating, micro-blasting, basic masonry, and construction, using a variety of equipment and power tools.
Assists in enforcing Park Department rules, ordinances, and policies.
It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This job has no supervisory responsibilities but contributes to the oversight and guidance of seasonal and part-time employees, and volunteers, in accordance with the organization’s policies, procedures and applicable laws.
Typical Qualifications
Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Associate degree in Natural Science, Environmental Interpretation or Education with specialization in Natural Sciences or related field; two to three years experience in the field of natural resources, environmental education, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Public speaking skills required. Ability to effectively present information one-on-one and in small or large group situations to persons of various age groups representing diverse backgrounds including visitors, children, employees of the County; and the general public.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Ability to carry out special and general assignments requiring organization of material and development of procedures without direct supervision.
Computer Skills
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of word processing software and internet. Ability to manage and update County’s website. Ability to learn business accounting software.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Wisconsin Commercial Pesticide Applicators License.
Other Skills and Abilities
Good knowledge of the principles of ecology, wildlife, forestry, and speleology.
Ability to work variable days and hours to meet programming requirements.
Desire and ability to perform physical work associated with the implementation of nature study programs and routine maintenance of facilities.
Ability to use tact and diplomacy in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with the public of various age groups, volunteers, and other County employees.
Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in the application and interpretation of departmental policies and safety regulations.
Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear; stand and walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit and smell. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to wet, muddy, and/or humid conditions, small spaces, a variety of temperatures, and outside weather conditions.
The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week may be eligible to receive employee benefits on a prorated basis. Qualifying employees working an average of 30 hours per week are eligible to receive health insurance coverage at the same premium contribution level as regular full-time employees. The percentage of employment which has been established by the budget or Board, shall determine the benefit pro-ration, with the exception of Home Health Aides, who will be pro-rated in July of each year based on the percentage of full-time hours worked in the previous twelve (12) months.
1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, holiday, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan – PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County and the hours paid in a pay period. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount.
2. ELB. (Extended Leave Bank). The Extended Leave Bank is a bank of time separate from PTO that is intended for use in situations where the employee is absent from work due to medical necessity lasting more than three (3) days, or for events qualifying under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
3. Holidays. The official County holidays are factored into the PTO Accrual as follows: New Year's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas Day, Christmas Day, and the Day Before New Year's Day.
4. Insurance. Employees eligible to participate in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. The County pays ninety (90%) percent of the single or family premium for full time employees who complete the Wellness Program criteria. To assist in meeting deductibles, the County will also contribute, to an HSA, for eligible employees. Dental and Vision Insurance is also available.
5. PEHP. (Post Employment Health Plan). The County provides a PEHP for regular full-time and eligible regular part-time non-represented employees. The PEHP is a multi-employer trust (IRS Code 501(c)(9)). The plan allows for a tax-free pre-funding of post employment medical expenses. The County contributes a biweekly flat dollar amount per employee. Contributions will be allocated to the universal reimbursement sub-account.
6. Life Insurance. The County provides a life insurance policy to qualifying employees equal to the estimated calendar year earnings of the position, with the County paying the premium. Additional units of insurance are also available along with spouse and dependent coverage, with the employee paying the full premium.
7. Disability Insurance. Long-term and short-term disability insurance is available, with the employee paying the full premium.
8. Retirement Plan. The County provides a pension plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System. The County pays 50% of the actuarially required WRS contributions for qualifying general employees.
9. Section 125 Flexible Spending Program. The County provides a Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program wherein the employee may set aside pre-tax dollars to use for expenses not covered by insurance or for dependent care expenses.
10. Deferred Compensation Program. The County provides a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program wherein pre-tax dollars can be deposited in an investment of the employee's choice through providers used by the County.
