Environmental Protection Interpretive Naturalist (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut - DEEP Outdoor Recreation; Madison (CT); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Connecticut - DEEP Outdoor Recreation in Madison, CT seeks an Environmental Protection Interpretive Naturalist to develop, implement and present environmental and interpretive education programs at Hammonasset Beach State Park.

The role includes managing a coastal nature center, coordinating seasonal staff and volunteers, and expanding statewide interpretation and training across the park system. The position emphasizes living history, Long Island Sound ecology and public outreach.

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in environmental science, natural resources or environmental, interpretive or science education.
• One (1) year of general experience must be in development and implementation of environmental science or interpretive programs and related exhibits, displays and educational material.
• College training may substitute for up to four years of experience (15 sem hrs = 1/2 year).
• A Master’s degree may substitute for one year of General Experience.

Responsibilities

• Assist in development and implementation of environmental, natural science and interpretive education programs.
• Assist in designing, preparing and maintaining displays and exhibits.
• Prepare educational materials, brochures and audio-visual materials.
• Research and maintain specimens for exhibits and collections.
• Assist in daily operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment.
• Prepare letters, reports and other material.
• Act as liaison to conservation agencies and organizations.

Skills

Bio-physical environment

Ecology knowledge

Education programs

Interpersonal skills

Oral and written comms

Program development

Displays and exhibits

Education

College training in natural sciences

Master's degree substitute option

Job description

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, State Parks and Public Outreach Division, has an exciting opportunity for an Environmental Protection Interpretive Naturalist at Hammonasset Beach State Park in Madison! The Meigs Point Nature Center Interpretive Naturalist at Hammonasset Beach State Park provides year-round educational programming and operational tasks while meeting public service demands. Hammonasset is Connecticut’s most visited state park, hosting over 3 million visitors annually, and the Nature Center serves as a core public education facility for the Department with approximately 50K program participants annually. This position is responsible for independently performing a full range of tasks related to developing, implementing, and presenting environmental, natural science, and interpretive education programs based on Connecticut’s history and natural history, especially centered around Long Island Sound. Facilities management is also a function of this position.

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS

• This position is full-time, following a first shift schedule, 35 hours per week, and requires weekend duty for the active recreation season generally from Memorial Day to Labor Day, including holidays.
• This position will ensure adequate staffing, training, and management of seasonal staff and volunteers.
• This position is responsible for the programmatic and operational needs of a coastal nature center, including offsite programming.
• This position will assist with statewide historical interpretation and environmental education training and support within the Park system.

ABOUT US

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

The Bureau of Outdoor Recreation consists of the Divisions of Boating, State Parks & Public Outreach, and State Environmental Conservation Police. Together they administer the state’s outdoor recreation programs and provide for the enforcement of fish and game regulations and boating laws.

Connecticut's system of state parks and forests, state boat launches, and waterways, provide many opportunities for outdoor recreation for residents and visitors alike. These range from camping and fishing to hiking, boating, and picnicking. The Bureaus of Outdoor Recreation and Natural Resources lead the agency's outdoor recreation efforts by acquiring and managing lands with an eye toward providing public use that is compatible with long term protection of natural resources.

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in assisting in the development, implementation and presentation of a variety of environmental, natural science and interpretive education programs and services.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• At an environmental education or interpretive center, assists in the development of and plans and implements environmental, natural science, and interpretive education programs and services, including school programs, adult and continuing education, teacher in-service workshops, field trips, tours, lecture/slide presentations and special events
• Assists in the design, preparation and maintenance of displays and exhibits
• Prepares educational materials, brochures, pamphlets and audio-visual materials
• Researches, collects, documents, prepares, catalogs and maintains specimens for exhibits and collections
• Assists in the daily operation and maintenance of facilities and equipment
• Prepares letters, reports and other material
• Acts as liaison to local, state and federal conservation agencies and other organizations
• Performs related duties as required

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of the bio-physical environment
• Knowledge of the principles of botany, ecology, evolution, natural resource conservation, zoology, geology and paleontology
• educational and interpretive techniques
• environmental problems, issues and solutions
• Considerable interpersonal skills
• oral and written communication skills
• Ability to plan, design, develop and implement environmental and interpretive programs, related materials, displays and exhibits
• identify and discuss the ecology and natural history of local flora and fauna
• utilize computer software

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the field of environmental science, natural resources or environmental, interpretive or science education.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in the development and implementation of environmental science or interpretive programs and related exhibits, displays and educational material.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in biological science, geology, paleontology, natural resources, environmental education or science education (secondary school) may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in the related fields indicated above may be substituted for one (1) year of the General Experience.
• Successful completion of an Environmental Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience implementing knowledge of Connecticut's natural world and conservation into developmentally appropriate, interactive and educational programs, displays, brochures, and digital and printed materials
• Experience managing nature center operations, including facility maintenance, geothermal systems, and the technical equipment required for captive animal aquaria
• Experience leading seasonal staff and coordinating volunteers, including interviewing, training, scheduling shifts, and daily assignments
• Experience implementing local, state, and federal laws on animal captivity in a nature center, including providing proper nutritional, medical care, housing standards and associated record-keeping
• Experience in developing and implementing environmental education programs and interpretive history that align to educational standards of both formal and nonformal education
• Experience utilizing interpersonal and communication skills to create and deliver educational programs and interpretive materials that connect natural and cultural history with lifelong learners.

Conclusion

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.