Lead Naturalist

Montage Hotels & Resorts; Laguna Beach (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free meals

Free uniforms and cleaning

Hotel discounts

Healthcare benefits

401k retirement plan with company

Daily Pay Incentive

Job summary

Montage Hotels & Resorts in Laguna Beach seeks a Lead Naturalist to connect guests with the local wildlife and landscapes. You will lead nature walks, deliver engaging talks, and oversee group excursions while supporting sustainability initiatives.

You will collaborate with a team, educate guests about geography, flora, fauna, and culture, and help onboarding new Naturalist associates. This role emphasizes guest delight and responsible environmental stewardship.

Qualifications

• Strong passion for wildlife and the natural environment.
• Ability to speak and engage groups effectively.
• Positive attitude with a collaborative mindset.
• Desire to lead, learn, and share knowledge with others.

Responsibilities

• Foster connection between people, land, and our sustainability goals.
• Deliver educational talks on local geography, biology, flora & fauna, history and culture.
• Lead nature walks and educational tours.
• Draft group contracts and oversee excursion logistics.
• Serve as liaison for group contacts and provide narration for groups.
• Guide walking, biking, and other excursions; highlight local wildlife.
• Assist with onboarding new Naturalist associates.
• Help oversee day-to-day department operations.
• Support property-wide sustainability and conservation initiatives.
• Ensure safety, security and sanitation policies are followed.
• Deliver WOW moments to guests.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Wildlife passion

Group communication

Team collaboration

Leadership

Willingness to learn

Integrity

Education

BS in natural resources or related field

Job description

Live Your Passion. Add Your Magic.

At Montage International, we are doing something different, something exciting and it takes passionate people to bring our vision to life. We have built a culture that leads with the important notion we live by every day; do what you love. If this resonates with you, we look forward to receiving your application.

We welcome applicants with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed to our applicants. Please discuss with our hiring managers during our selection processes.

Job Summary

Imagine turning your passion and talent into a fulfilling career. Imagine a beautiful workplace where you can learn, grow, and have fun. At Montage, we know our success is all because of you. Here, you’re not just an associate but a passionate creator of authentic, personalized experiences. You’ll feel empowered to think creatively, discover career growth opportunities, and have fun while crafting lasting, cherished moments for our guests. Working at Montage is more than a job; it’s a way of life. Don’t just imagine the possibility—join us.

Your Journey

• Foster a meaningful connection between people, the land, and our property’s environmental goals and sustainability efforts, while supporting the well‑being of the surrounding community
• Develop and deliver educational presentations that exemplify a passion for the hotel’s location, geography, biology, flora & fauna, history, and culture
• Commit to understanding terrain and local flora/fauna
• Draft group contracts, correspond with adventure partners, and oversee all logistics for group excursions, including transportation and amenities
• Serve as a liaison for group contacts
• Provide frequent, timely, and engaging narration for both small leisure groups and large corporate groups
• Guide walking, biking, and other guest excursions while helping guests identify local wildlife and points of interest, providing engaging information about the surrounding area
• Assist with leading and onboarding new Naturalist associates, as needed
• Assist with oversight of day-to-day operations
• Actively participate in monitoring and supporting property-wide sustainability and conservation initiatives whenever possible
• Ensure the department abides by all safety, security, and sanitation policies
• Deliver on guests’ expectations and have the desire to create WOW moments
• Perform additional duties as assigned that may be outside the scope of duties, based on business needs

About You

• You have a strong passion for wildlife, the natural environment, and the study of living organisms and their ecosystems
• You have the ability to communicate in a group setting
• You have the ability to collaborate and communicate with a positive attitude
• You have a strong desire to lead, learn, and share knowledge with others
• You are open to learning, developing, and growing both yourself, personally, and helping others do the same
• You are trustworthy and have integrity

Must Haves

• Bachelor of Science degree or equivalent experience dealing with natural resources, marine biology, environmental education, botany, forestry, environmental, geography, anthropology, history, or other related field of study preferred
• Experience working in conservation, sustainability, zoology, or a related field
• Ability to lead nature walks and/or educational tours
• Flexibility to work a dynamic schedule based on business demands including weekends and holidays
• Luxury hotel experience is a plus

You will Enjoy

• Free meals
• Free uniforms and cleaning
• Ongoing community outreach events
• Hotel discounts
• Associate events throughout the year
• Healthcare benefits
• 401k retirement plan with company matching
• Daily Pay Incentive Opportunity

Physical Requirements

• Grasping, holding, sitting, walking, repetitive motions, bending over
• Ability to stand and exercise mobility for extended periods of time during your scheduled shift
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds regularly and for extended periods during the shift

At Montage, we want every guest and every associate to feel that they belong. To be seen, to be recognized, and to feel our gratitude. In the United States, we are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer – veterans/disability. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law. Job applicants with disabilities who need assistance or an accommodation in order to apply for a position (or their representative) should contact the People department directly at your preferred location.

The pay scale for Lead Naturalist is $25.00.

The pay scale is the base salary or hourly wage range, exclusive of incentive pay such as commissions, piece rates, gratuities, and the like, that Montage reasonably expects to pay for the position.

In the United States we are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug‑free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.