Environmental Education Specialist Laurel Caverns State Park

Nigel Wright Consultancy Ltd (UK); Laurel (PA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is seeking an Environmental Education Specialist for Laurel Caverns State Park. You will design and deliver environmental, historical, and recreational programs for visitors and groups, adapting to diverse ages and interests.

Responsibilities include coordinating with staff and volunteers, preparing lesson plans and promotional materials, and supporting field and classroom learning using state curricula.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental education or related field, or an equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Willingness to work weekends and evenings.
• PA residency required and valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Present environmental, historical, and recreational programs for audiences from preschoolers to seniors.
• Work with park staff, volunteers, and local organizations to support on-site and off-site programming.
• Facilitate field and classroom learning using approved curricula.
• Provide visitor assistance and help maintain collections.
• Prepare lesson plans, schedules, reports, promotional materials, and media releases.
• Recruit, interview, and schedule volunteers for park programs, events, and activities.

Skills

Program Delivery

Partnership Coordination

Educational Development

Resource Support

Program Planning

Volunteer Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

The Environmental Education Specialist position with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Laurel Caverns State Park offers an exciting chance to inspire visitors of all ages. This role supports learning through hands‑on outdoor programs that highlight the park’s natural and historical features. You will help shape meaningful experiences that leave a lasting impact. Join a mission-driven agency that values curiosity, exploration, and public service.

This position focuses on developing and delivering educational, recreational, and interpretive programs for visitors and organized groups at Laurel Caverns State Park. As an Environmental Education Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Program Delivery:Present environmental, historical, and recreational programs for audiences ranging from preschool children to senior citizens
• Partnership Coordination:Work with park staff, volunteers, and local organizations to support on‑site and off‑site programming
• Educational Development:Facilitate field and classroom learning using approved state and national environmental education curricula
• Resource Support:Provide visitor assistance and help maintain natural, historic, cultural, and archaeological collections
• Program Planning:Prepare lesson plans, schedules, reports, promotional materials, and media releases for public communication
• Volunteer Leadership:Recruit, interview, and schedule volunteers for park programs, events, and work activities

Work Schedule and Additional Information

• Full‑time employment
• Work schedule varies; will work 5 days per week (37.5 hours total), including holidays and weekends.
• Telework:You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary:In some cases, the starting salary may be non‑negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in environmental education, education, the natural sciences, social sciences, or parks and recreation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Conditions of Employment

• Willingness to work weekends and evenings. Willingness to wear a prescribed uniform.

Other Requirements

• This particular position also requires you to possess a valid driver's license which is not under suspension.
• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
• In accordance with Act 153 of 2014 this position is required to complete Child Abuse, Criminal and Federal Criminal History Checks around the time of hire and thereafter every 5 years

Veterans

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this posting. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.