Interpretive Ranger 1-2 (Nature)

State of Louisiana; Abbeville (LA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of State Parks (OSP) in Louisiana seeks an Interpretive Ranger to provide engaging tours and living history demonstrations at Palmetto Island State Park in Abbeville. You will ensure high-quality programming, train volunteers, and connect visitors with the park's natural and cultural resources.

Ideal candidates will have three years of related experience or a relevant bachelor's degree, and the ability to design exhibits, audiovisuals, and educational activities while coordinating

Qualifications

• Three years of archaeological or anthropological work, or planning/ presenting interpretive programs, or conservation work.
• Alternatively, three years in related natural or cultural history interpretation with a bachelor's degree.
• Proven ability to design and deliver educational programs for diverse audiences.

Responsibilities

• Oversee educational programs and evaluate interpretive effectiveness.
• Plan and display interpretive exhibits at visitor centers and promotional spaces.
• Design and develop new educational programs, exhibits, and audiovisuals.
• Implement and connect visitors with site-level interpretive activities.
• Collaborate with schools to provide interpretive activities for groups.
• Coordinate with Educational Services, Public Information, and site management for accuracy and direction.
• Prepare brochures and promotional materials for distribution.
• Promote special programs throughout the year with site management.
• Answer inquiries and provide information to visitors.
• Assist with fee stations and custodial duties as needed.

Skills

Accepting Direction

Learning Actively

Thinking Critically

Communicating Effectively

Focusing on Customers

Fostering Engagement

Managing Programs

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Office of State Parks (OSP) serves the citizens of Louisiana and visitors by preserving and interpreting natural areas of unique or exceptional scenic value, planning, developing and operating sites that provide outdoor recreation opportunities in natural surroundings, preserving and interpreting historical and scientific sites of statewide importance and administering intergovernmental programs related to outdoor recreation and trails.

This position is located at Palmetto Island State Park, in Abbeville, LA. The purpose of this position is to provide site interpretation to site visitors through guided tours, audiovisual presentations, living history demonstrations, and other methods. It is the responsibility of this position to ensure consistency in programming, and the programs offered are of high quality.

AN IDEAL CANDIDATE WILL POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:

• Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
• Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
• Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.
• Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
• Focusing on Customers: The ability to understand and meet the needs, preferences, and experiences of internal and external customers.
• Fostering Engagement: The ability to build a supportive environment that encourages motivation, belonging, and active participation.
• Managing Programs: The ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate programs to achieve strategic objectives and long-term outcomes.

Three years of experience in archaeological or anthropological work; or in planning or presenting interpretive or educational programs relating to cultural or physical history; OR
Three years of experience in conservation work or natural resource management; or in planning or presenting interpretive or educational programs relating to the natural environment; OR
A bachelor's degree.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

Job Duties:

• Oversees the implementation and effectiveness of site level educational programs and interpretive effectiveness with the conduct of program audits and evaluations.
• Plans, constructs, and displays interpretive exhibits for visitor centers as well as site promotional spaces.
• Conceptualizes, designs, coordinates, and develops new educational programs, interpretive exhibits, and audiovisuals.
• Implements site level educational programs and interpretive activities to connect visitors to the site.
• Works with educational institutions to provide related interpretive activities for school groups.
• Works closely with Administrative Office Educational Services and Public Information teams, and site management to review programs and exhibits for historical accuracy, interpretive value, and agency direction.
• Writes, prepares layouts, edits, and produces a variety of promotional and informational materials such as brochures, flyers, media programs, etc.
• Works with site manager to promote special programs throughout the year.
• Provides information and answers inquiries for site visitors.
• Assists with operating fee station to check in guests, or custodial duties of rental facilities, as needed.

Position-Specific Details:

Location: Palmetto Island State Park, in Abbeville, LA

Appointment Type: Probational, Promotional, or Detail to Special Duty

Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Interpretive Ranger 1 or 2, depending on experience.

Work Schedule: State Parks are open 365 days a year. Position will work a rotating schedule of 40 hours/week, which can include holidays and/or weekends as needed, to ensure coverage at the park.

Travel: Position requires driving around the park for patrol as part of the daily shift. Travel may be required to other state parks to assist in staffing or events, as needed. A state vehicle is available for employee use while on duty.

If offered the position, candidate must be able to drive to Baton Rouge to submit a background check.

No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism are participants in the E-Verify system for identification and employment eligibility purposes.

Louisiana as a State, is a Model Employer for People with Disabilities.

Contact Information:

For further information about this vacancy contact:Melissa Thibodaux
Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
1051 N. 3rd Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]