Naturalist Aide (Intermittent) - Central District

State of Ohio; Delaware (OH); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at a forward-thinking organization focused on preserving Ohio's natural beauty! As a Naturalist Aide, you will have the unique opportunity to engage with the community through educational programs, special events, and outdoor activities. This role is perfect for enthusiastic individuals who love the outdoors and want to make a positive impact. You'll assist in developing programs that promote awareness of Ohio's rich natural and cultural heritage, while also participating in exciting public events. If you're passionate about nature and education, this is the perfect chance to contribute to the preservation of our state parks and wildlife areas.

Benefits

Medical Coverage

Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums

Paid time off including vacation and sick leave

Education and Development Opportunities

Public Retirement Systems

Qualifications

• Experience in biology, botany, zoology, outdoor safety, and public relations is required.
• Candidates should have a strong passion for natural resources and public engagement.

Responsibilities

• Research and plan interpretive and recreational programs for park visitors.
• Assist with maintaining trails and nature centers while engaging the public.

Skills

Natural Resources

Customer Focus

Public Speaking

Situational Awareness

Learning and Development

Education

Education

1 course or 3 months experience in biology

1 course or 3 months experience in botany

1 course or 3 months experience in zoology

1 course or 3 months experience in outdoor safety practices

1 course or 3 months experience in public relations

Job description

Organization

Natural Resources

Agency Contact Name and Information: [e-mail] or 614-265-6993

Unposting Date

Ongoing

Work Location

DNR Fairfield County 2905 Liebs Island Road Buckeye Lake State Park Millersport 43046

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Delaware County-Delaware

Other Locations

United States of America-OHIO-Fairfield County-Millersport, United States of America-OHIO-Miami County-Piqua

Compensation: $20.28/hr

Schedule

Part-time

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Natural Resources

Technical Skills: Learning and Development, Education

Professional Skills: Customer Focus, Public Speaking, Situational Awareness

Agency Overview

Who we are:

Did you know Ohio operates 76 state parks, manages over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife land and more than 2 million acres of water? That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we do at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as we seek to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all!

Across our 12 divisions and support services, we employ office staff, law enforcement officers, geologists, biologists, engineers, attorneys, communicators, managers, and so much more. Whatever your passion, we likely have a position to fit it and pathways for advancement!

Working at ODNR is a special experience. Our employees are afforded opportunities to participate in public events at parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, and annually at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair! We routinely have Lunch and Learn events at our Assembly Center which are streamed on Teams Live as are monthly updates with our Director.

Job Description

What we need:

We are seeking energetic, passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to play a key role for the position of Naturalist Aide, within the Division Parks & Watercraft, assigned to either Champaign, Delaware, or Fairfield county. The addresses for these positions are:

• Naturalist Aide - Delaware State Park (1 position): 5202 US Highway 23 N., Delaware, OH 43015
• Naturalist Aide - Buckeye Lake State Park (1 position): 2871 Liebs Island Road, Millersport, OH 43046
• Naturalist Aide - Kiser Lake State Park (1 position): 4889 N. State Route 235, Conover, OH 45317

To learn more about the Division of Parks & Watercraft, please visit Division of Parks & Watercraft.

What you will do…

• Research, develop & plan interpretive & recreational programs
• Assist groups, clubs & schools with park projects
• Plan & coordinate special events (e.g. workshops, community festivals)
• Assist with maintaining trails, nature center & park office
• Perform public relations & marketing activities
• Hourly pay of $20.28/hr.

Duration...

• Limited to 1000 hours in a fiscal year

This Intermittent Position...

• Is a maximum duration, 1000 hour intermittent (unclassified) position for the Division of Park & Watercraft
• Will remain at step 1 of the pay range
• Is not eligible for benefits (e.g. vision, dental, life, health insurance, holiday pay, leave accruals [vacation, personal, sick], any other paid leave, shift differential, pay supplements, etc.)
• Serves in the unclassified service pursuant to ORC 124.11 (A)(29) and, as such, serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority

Official Position Description:

Under general supervision researches, develops, and plans interpretive & recreational programs (e.g., nature walks, night hikes, & presentations for general public/special interest groups, tours) about Ohio’s natural, historical & cultural heritage; answers questions for public as related to interpretive programs & nature/visitor center; interprets park regulations & takes proper safety precautions to lead youths & adults on excursions into park; plans & coordinates special events (e.g., workshops, fall campouts); assists scout groups, schools & clubs with park projects (e.g., trail development, habitat improvement projects); teaches fishing, archery, & paddling classes (e.g., canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddleboard) according to approved division curriculum & with attention to laws & proper safety precautions; assists with the development & maintenance of displays & exhibits; assists with organizing & preparing brochures, interpretive park signs, & promotional publications; assists with volunteers related to educational programs; provides background information for purchases of equipment & material & assists with education-related inventory; tracks attendance for grant purposes.

May be responsible for daily care of live animals used in programs (e.g., feed animals, keeps cages & equipment clean & in working order); complies with state & federal housing & care requirements; provides for the health & safety of animals; consults with veterinarian when necessary; ensures park compliance with Division of Wildlife permits; notifies supervisor of issues.

Performs public relations/marketing activities & assists with statewide events, exhibits & shows (e.g., boat shows, state fair, trade shows); responds to inquiries about programs; makes media appearances promoting state parks & park activities; participates in events statewide (e.g., festivals & state fair); assists in the development of outreach materials; works with division program manager on state-wide programming initiatives including but not limited to educational videos and live webinars for public use.

Assists in maintaining trails (e.g., picks up litter, removes fallen debris, reports hazards); maintains nature center, office space (e.g., empties trash, vacuums); maintains equipment used in programming (e.g., makes minor repairs such as filters, light bulbs).

TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT REQUIRED TO REMAIN IN THE CLASSIFICATION AFTER EMPLOYMENT: Annual seasonal naturalist training session.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Works outside exposed to weather, venomous reptiles or infectious animal bites & scratches; must be able to provide own transportation.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

1 course or 3 mos. exp. in biology; 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in botany; 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in zoology; 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in outdoor safety practices; 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in public relations.

-Or equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above.

Job Skills: Natural Resources

Supplemental Information

Application Requirements: Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Transcripts are required for all coursework, degrees or educational accomplishments claimed on the application. Applicants must submit a transcript (can be unofficial until point of selection) by the posting deadline ( attach in the Additional Attachments section of the application submission Step 6). Should you have issues attaching, please email to: [e-mail]. “See resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application. Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered.

To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 or [e-mail].

Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS:

Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their user profile on the Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] Home page at the following link careers.ohio.gov, and selecting "My Profile".

NOTES:

Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.