Naturalist

East Bay Regional Park District; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Free on-site parking

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

East Bay Regional Park District seeks a Naturalist for the Black Diamond Center to develop interpretive programs and media on local history and biodiversity. The role emphasizes social justice and equitable access to parks, with responsibilities across sectors and multiple parks in the NE region.

The ideal candidate brings expertise in environmental education, program development, and audience engagement, and can collaborate with diverse groups while ensuring safety and accuracy in interpretive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in interpretation/environmental education or related field.
• Two years of field experience in comprehensive interpretive work.
• Master’s Degree may substitute for one year of required experience or prior EBPRD experience.
• Valid California driver’s license required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and conduct interpretive programs for schools and the public.
• Coordinate District special commemorative days and events.
• Prepare interpretive materials, booklets, brochures, and exhibit texts.
• Utilize current technologies to create programs, AV exhibits, and media.
• May organize youth or other groups for related purposes.

Skills

Interpretive programs

Public education

Verbal & written communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in interpretation/environmental education

Job description

The Park District is currently recruiting for one Naturalist vacancy at Black Diamond Center. The position is responsible for developing a wide range of interpretive programs and media focused on local history and biodiversity with a lens on social justice and equitable access to parks. The Black Diamond interpretive team develops the interpretive programs and media for the NE sector of the District, including parks such as Radke Martinez Regional Shoreline, Castle Rock Regional Park, and Thurgood Marshall Regional Park - Home of the Port Chicago 50. The hiring pools established from this recruitment will be used to fill the current vacancy and any additional Naturalist vacancies that may occur during the one-year life of the hiring pools.

Recruitment Timeline

• Minimum Qualifications Screening: Week of September 28
• Onsite Performance Exam: Beginning of November (likely November 3 and 4)
• Onsite Oral Panel Interviews: Mid-November (likely November 17 or 18)
• Selection Interviews: Late November/Early December
• All dates are tentative and subject to change.

ABOUT US

The East Bay Regional Park District is a system of beautiful parklands in Alameda and Contra Costa counties to the east of San Francisco. The system comprises 73 parks spanning across 126,809 acres; 1,330 miles of trails; 55 miles of shoreline. We manage and preserve natural and cultural resources for all to enjoy and protect. The regional parks are ideal for healthful recreation and environmental education. Learn about our Mission and Vision, History, and our contributions to the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

OUR MISSION

EBRPD preserves a rich heritage of natural and cultural resources and provides open space, parks, trails, safe and healthful recreation and environmental education. An environmental ethic guides the District in all of its activities.

OUR VALUES

• Respect – We honor the land we steward, each other, and the park visitors we serve.
• Resilience – We creatively adapt to change. We address challenges with empathy, perspective, and determination.
• Relationships – Our greatest strength lies in the trust, accountability, and teamwork we cultivate with our colleagues, partners, and the public we serve.
• Responsiveness – We communicate openly, honestly, and reliably.
• Transparency – We hold the public's trust through meaningful stakeholder engagement and access to timely and reliable information on decisions and performance.

WHY WORK FOR EBRPD?

• Work with a purpose for a better world today and for future generations through the preservation of open space, public access to the outdoors, and a commitment to the conservation of the natural world found east of the San Francisco Bay across 33 cities in Alameda and Contra Costa counties
• A community of colleagues who are passionate about public service and the East Bay Regional Park District, the communities it serves, and its mission
• Excellent benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending, and pension benefits through California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS). Click here for details regarding additional benefits
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development
• Free on-site parking
• Free parking permit for EBRPD parks (for up to 2 privately owned vehicles)
• Employee discounts for certain EBRPD park amenities (reservations, daily fishing permit, public boat launch)

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING

Under general supervision, represents the East Bay Regional Park District (District), provides public education, resource protection and research; develops and conducts interpretive programs for school/other groups and the general public in the fields of environmental education, natural and cultural history and resource protection. Naturalists are assigned to any of the geographic interpretive sectors or Mobile Education.

IDEAL CANDIDATE

Team Collaboration

• Enjoys working independently and collaboratively to develop and lead interpretive programs for a diverse public and school groups
• Takes initiative, supports others, and incorporates feedback well
• Communicates well with others
• Manages their work schedule to ensure assignments are completed on time
• Maintains an even keel and flexibility despite changing operations or plans

Program Development

• Has expert knowledge of interpretive and educational principles ranging from public programs, school fieldtrips and youth development programs, to dialogic interpretation and interpretive writing
• Shares their passion with the public by connecting people to their parks through both natural and cultural history programs
• Is motivated to improve visitor experience

Public Service

• Is guided by the Park District's dual mission to connect and preserve

The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practice.

• Creates, plans, and conducts District programs on natural and cultural history
• Coordinates, or assists the Supervising Naturalist in coordinating, District special commemorative days and events
• Prepares written material in connection with the above duties, such as, interpretive booklets, brochures, exhibit texts, social media, etc
• Utilizes current technologies to prepare and develop programs, audio visual exhibits, and interpretive materials in connection with the above duties
• May organize youth or other groups for related purposes
• Programming and exhibits may include the use and care of animals
• Through research and field studies, develops and maintains expertise in cultural and natural history resources
• Collects, identifies, and prepares collection materials, such as flora, fauna, rock specimens, natural and cultural historical resources and artifacts associated with above duties
• Ensures the safety of program participants and staff

OTHER FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

• Assists in the training/development of peers and entry level Interpretive and Recreation Services staff, which may include Interpretive Students Aides, Naturalist Aides, volunteers, and other District staff as assigned
• Ensures organizational and professional appearance of the Visitor Center
• Performs administrative tasks and related duties as assigned
• Attends various conferences, workshops and training programs
• May provide direction to Interpretive Student Aides, Naturalist Aides, volunteers, and/or other staff as appropriate
• May act for Supervising Naturalist, as necessary

Education

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major work in interpretation/ environmental education, natural science, cultural history, or other suitably related field.

Experience

Two years of recent field experience in comprehensive interpretive work. (A Master’s Degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

Substitution

A Master’s Degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience OR one year experience in the East Bay Regional Park District classification of Naturalist Aide, with a performance evaluation of no less than Standard overall.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of

• The principles, methods, and techniques of interpretation
• Knowledge of the natural and cultural history of the District's interpretive sectors
• Proficiency interpreting basic ecology, biology, geology
• Current resource education and stewardship practices
• Readily and consistently exercise critical thinking, review, and scientific method
• Ability to convey such knowledge to the public by means of diverse interpretive programming and program promotion
• Has excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to

• Exercise sound judgment, organizational/time management, and administrative skills
• Effectively use various social media and meeting platforms to achieve interpretive goals
• Including virtual programming
• Conduct research and critically review and assess information and techniques to ensure accurate and effective communication and interpretation
• Convey knowledge to the public through informal/formal interpretive techniques and a variety of programming
• Effectively present and interpret information to diverse populations
• Handle and care for animals in various environments
• Positively and effectively provide/accept feedback, coaching, appraisal, evaluation, mentoring and leadership to/from other staff
• Operate office equipment including computers and supporting software (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, presentation {PowerPoint}, database, virtual meeting, and project management applications)
• Provide the highest quality customer service to internal/external customers, park users and the public
• Establish and maintain positive cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work at all levels, including a culturally diverse general public with a focus on quality service to internal staff and external customers and park users

Conditions of Employment

• Must pass a Level 1 Background check
• Naturalists are required to wear a District uniform
• May be required to work unusual hours (including overnight programs), weekends, and holidays
• May be required to work in a variety of work environments
• A valid California driver's license is a condition of initial and continued employment in this classification

Union Affiliation

East Bay Regional Parks Employees, Local 2428, American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME), AFL-CIO, represents this classification. Wages, hours, and other terms of conditions of employment are covered in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Park District and Local 2428. The probationary period for this classification is nine (9) months.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The East Bay Regional Park District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects a diverse workforce and community. It is committed to promoting an equitable and inclusive workspace that is welcoming to all. Applicants from all backgrounds and life experiences are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.