What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant Naturalist position at Downers Grove Park District?
Assistant Naturalist
About us: The Downers Grove Park District enriches our community through natural area preservation and exceptional recreation, parks, and facilities that inspire memorable experiences. With almost 600 acres of parks and facilities, there are thousands of opportunities for individuals of all ages and interests to grow, play, imagine and explore. Learn more at dgparks.org.
The Opportunity: As the Assistant Naturalist at our Lyman Woods facility, you will help with program development, program facilitation as well as building and grounds care. You will also
assist with animal care, volunteer program administration, and staffing at the Lyman Woods Interpretive Center’s front desk.
What you get:
In exchange for your time and talent, this Part-time Class 1 position pays $20.00-$20.50 per hour, including:
What you get:
In exchange for your time and talent, this Part-time Class 1 position pays $20.00-$20.50 per hour, including:
- IMRF benefits
- Free Fitness Membership at 4500 Fitness,
- Paid vacation, personal and sick time
- Red Cross First Aide and CPR Training
- Various District discounts
When you’ll work:
A typical weekly schedule would be:
A typical weekly schedule would be:
- Year Round position
- Sunday-Wednesday, 8:30am-4:30pm preferred but potential adjustability on days
- Slight adjustment in work start and end times possible, depending on the day
- Occasional evenings and other work days may be needed to help with staffing
- 29 hours a week on average, though work week can be more or fewer hours depending on holidays, vacations, staffing needs, etc.
- 1,500 hours per year maximum
A Day in the Life:
- Assist with the development of nature programs including writing new and updating old program outlines.
- Gather and put away program supplies; maintain supply inventory and workplace cleanliness.
- Assist with animal care, including feeding, animal handling and animal exhibit maintenance. Animals may include lizards, turtles, snakes and other animals.
- Assist with bee programs by using beekeeping equipment (such as bee suit, smoker), opening bee hives to show live honey bees.
- Aid in the care and maintenance of outdoor play areas, gardens, bee yard, and trails by mulching, weeding, removing poison ivy, watering, planting and moving supplies.
- Assist staff with volunteer supervision and volunteer group paperwork and recruitment.
- Update program records, check-in/check-out sheets, volunteer hours, etc.
- Maintain program equipment such as archery, fishing, and other recreation or scientific equipment.
- Occasionally teach classes, on nature and ecology-related topics as needed. Program audiences include parent & toddlers, schools, scouts, youth, teens and adults.
- Help with customer service-related questions (in person, phone or email) and staff the front desk during hours when the nature center is open to the public.
- Drive district vehicles for camps or other assignments on occasion.
- Can participate in staff training, planning sessions and other staff meetings.
- Follow and implement Downers Grove Park District policies and guidelines, including safety practices
- Performs all other duties and responsibilities not covered above, but directed by Lyman Woods supervisor (Assistant Superintendent of Recreation)
- Attend staff meetings, trainings and special events
- Ensure Park District’s safety policies are being followed and implemented
About you:
- 18 years of age or older
- 1 years of teaching/education experience (part-time or full-time) with children in formal or informal education preferred
- Must exhibit problem-solving abilities, adaptability, safety awareness, good judgement, and a willingness to learn.
- Possess good communication skills and ability to work cooperatively with co-workers and the general public
- Must be able to work independently when needed
- Must be able to work outdoors in various weather conditions
- Knowledge of or experience pertaining to local wildlife, ecology, environmental studies, natural history, or similar life-science based content preferred.
- Must be comfortable working with animals, honey bees, and reptiles, including snakes.
- Must be comfortable working with volunteers and using hands-on tools to remove invasive plant species, to plant trees and for other gardening tasks.
- License in herbicide application preferred; must obtain within 3 months of hire
- Experience with Microsoft Office suite preferred
- Experience with, and/or ability to learn and use RecTrac our recreation management software.
- Must possess certification in CPR and First Aid, or become certified within 3 months of being hired (free training provided by the Park District if needed)
- Able to hike, stand, sit, crouch for extended periods of time, as well as occasionally lifting objects up to 30 lbs.
What sets us apart:
- Flexible hours
- Supportive and friendly coworkers
- Diverse work tasks that make every day different and exciting
- Collaborative and connected management
- Develop your administration, problem-solving, communication, and leadership experience
- Learn important life skills such as time management and influencing others
- Work for a Distinguished Agency Park District
The Downers Grove Park District is an EOE.
Salary : $20 - $21
