Naturalist Intern

About us

The City of St. Louis Park is committed to being a leader in race, equity, and inclusion. As one of the city’s strategic priorities, the city seeks to ensure all practices, programs, policies, and services of the city are fair, inclusive, and equitable. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences, and our strategic vision includes hiring and retaining racially diverse and racially conscious staff across all levels of our organization.
 

About the position 

Assist supervisor and other department staff with presenting nature and recreation programming at the nature center and in the community. Help increase the public's awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the natural world. Assist in meeting educational and customer service needs of visitors to Westwood Hills Nature Center.

This position is seasonal and full-time, working up to 40 hours per week from June - August 2024. 

 Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide:
  • Quality educational programming and customer service.
  • Direction for customer service attendant and volunteer staff.
  • Basic facility maintenance.
• Assist with:
  • The design and implementation of programming for people of all ages.
  • Natural resource, exhibit, and facility projects.
  • Outdoor and indoor projects as apparent or directed, including set-up and take-down related to educational programming and activities.
• Monitor physical condition of all facilities and report on unsafe conditions that exist.
• Maintain live animal collection and outdoor wildlife feeding stations through feeding and cleaning as needed or scheduled.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

 Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently attending or recent graduate of a four-year degree in biology, outdoor education, education, or another related field.
• Experience teaching youth (volunteer, work, school).
• Ability to:
  • Physically perform all essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
  • Work with children of all ages.
  • Work effectively, with minimal supervision and in a group setting
  • Work a variety of hours, including evenings and weekends as needed.

 Desired Qualifications:

• Experience working with live captive program animals such as reptiles, amphibians, and mammals.
• Experience conducting early childhood nature programs.
• Teaching experience as a naturalist at a nature center or similar facility.
• Computer experience, especially MS Windows, Word, Publisher, Excel, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and comfort with supporting the city’s strategic objectives for advancing racial equity.