Staff Naturalist

JOB TITLE: Staff Naturalist

Location: Highlands Center for Natural History (HCNH)

Reports To: Education Coordinator

Salary Range:

$18.00-19.75/hour, 15-25 hours/weekly,

starting March 10th (part-time)

*1 week for spring break, March 17th-21st (full time)

*8 weeks over summer break, May 27th-July 18th (full time)

FLSA Status:

Seasonal – Part Time/Full Time

Closing Date:

Open until filled. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Staff Naturalist position works directly with the Highlands Center for Natural History Education Team to provide safe and quality educational experiences in line with the mission, core values and strategic plan of the Center. Staff Naturalists will be responsible for educating about the natural world through experiential custom programs, school field trips, nature camps, and interpretive activities. They will lead & co-lead groups of 10-18 students/campers from ages 5-13 through outdoor education experiences on and throughout the Highlands Center trail system. The ideal candidate will possess a passion for nature, outdoor/environmental education and working with youth.

The responsibilities of the Staff Naturalists are as follows:

1. Safety: Work with Education Coordinators to ensure the mental and physical safety of all students during programming.

• Practice active and collaborative supervision of students
• Model inclusive and professional language and behavior with students, teachers, chaperones, guardians, HCNH staff and visitors
• Tune in and practice responsive leadership to students' social-emotional and physical needs.
• Administer first aid (within training limits) as needed
• Effectively communicate with co-staff and “base” staff using walkie-talkies and in-person
• Respond to emergencies in a professional way (within training limits) as needed

2. Program Facilitation: Work with the Education Coordinator to facilitate an educational and fun experience during each on-site education program.

• Serve in an active and supportive facilitator role during educational programs. (ie. group management, set-up/clean-up, program planning, engaging students on the periphery)
• Serve in a lead facilitator role during educational programs (ie. lead a game, facilitate team building activities, introduce and guide learning/standards-based science activities, guide a hike)
• Work collaboratively with the education team to map out each custom program, field trip and nature camp, providing insight and creativity.
• Maintain a flexible approach to facilitation based on weather, individual students, age, grade, time, etc.
• Serve as primary supervision during programming and as needed.

3. Other Duties:

• Actively participate in training before field trip & nature camp seasons.
• Engage in check-ins and debriefs throughout the weeks with co-staff and Education Coordinator.
• Creatively contribute to the content and delivery of Nature Camps, Field Trips and other custom programs.
• Continually evaluate self and program with an eye towards lessons learned (ie. what works, what can be improved)

QUALIFICATIONS

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate program, or completion of an undergraduate program in relation to Education, Ecology, Biology or a related field preferred or equivalent experience in outdoor/environmental education.
• Knowledge of and /or demonstrated ability to learn the natural history of the Central Arizona Highlands.
• Knowledge of and /or demonstrated ability to learn the best practices in outdoor education.
• Experience facilitating small/large groups of people.
• Experience working with others, especially youth, in the outdoors.
• Experience working collaboratively with peers.
• Ability to work actively in the outdoors for long periods of time.
• First aid/CPR certification (can be obtained before camp) or higher level of medical training.
• All employees of the Highlands Center for Natural History must be fingerprinted for a background check in the state of Arizona.
• Minimum 18 years of age.

TO APPLY: Send cover letter, resume and two professional references to:

Jules Galan; Education Coordinator

jgalan@highlandscenter.org

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Seasonal, Temporary

Pay: $18.00 - $19.75 per hour

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Preferred)

Experience:

• Youth Education: 1 year (Required)
• Experience with children: 1 year (Required)

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)
• First Aid Certification (Preferred)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $18 - $20