Naturalist Assistant (Variable Hours)

City of Aurora; Aurora (CO); Presencial; USD 21.000 - 27.000; Tempo integral

Benefícios oferecidos por esta vaga

On-site fitness center

Competitive total compensation package

Light rail station minutes away

Well-Funded General Employees Pension

Resumo da vaga

The City of Aurora is seeking a Naturalist Assistant to support PROS programming at Aurora Parks, Recreation and Open Space. You will lead and assist with nature programs, camps and exhibits, engaging a broad audience across age groups in outdoor and indoor settings.

You will help staff desks, support educators, and participate in research, planning and delivery of interpretive content, with emphasis on safety, accuracy and engaging communication. A valid driving record is required.

Qualificações

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least one year of experience teaching science in formal or informal settings.
• Preferred: Certified Interpretive Guide certification.
• Spanish language skills desired, but not required.
• Basic knowledge of biology, ecology and related sciences.
• Basic computer skills: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint.

Responsabilidades

• Lead or assist with Scout programs, nature-themed birthday parties, guided hikes, day camps, preschool programs, and curriculum-based programs for school-aged children in the Aurora and Cherry Creek school districts.
• Staff information desks (answer phones, greet visitors, tours).
• Assist full-time naturalists with interpretive programming for pre-k through adult age groups.
• Plan, research, and present interpretive programming for a variety of audiences.
• Assist in researching, updating, designing, and installing interpretive exhibits on local plant and animal life.
• Assist with live animal care for a small collection of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods.
• Perform maintenance and light cleaning duties (trash, weeds, cleaning).
• Educate park users regarding park rules and regulations.

Conhecimentos

Oral communication

Written communication

Interpersonal skills

Public speaking

Formação

High School Diploma or GED

Ferramentas

Microsoft Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Descrição da vaga

JOB LOCATION

16002 E Smith Rd Aurora, Colorado 80011-3200

16002 E Smith Rd Aurora, Colorado 80011-3200

City of Aurora, Colorado

It is an exciting time to work for the City of Aurora, we're growing and looking for dedicated and collaborative individuals to join our team of talented and valued employees. Excellent organizations have a set of principles, or core values, that are used to implement their mission and vision. Those values represent the touchstone for the organization, guiding the decisions of the individuals and the organization. At the City of Aurora, we demonstrate our excellence by modeling the CORE 4 Values of: Integrity, Respect, Professionalism, and Customer Service, and we welcome all who share these values to apply.

Why Work for Aurora?

• Make a difference in the lives of real people every day
• Diverse community
• Competitive total compensation package
• Well-Funded General Employees Retirement Plan
• Light rail station minutes away
• On-site fitness center and overall employee well-being programs Internal educational programs to assist with career advancement
• Access to innovation workspaces

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

The city of Aurora's Parks, Recreation and Open Space (PROS) Department's mission is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community.

The award-winning operation consists of seven divisions (Golf, Open Space and Natural Resources, Parks Operations, Planning, Design and Construction, Recreation, Business Services and Communications) that collectively manage more than 8,000 acres of open space, 100+ parks, 180+ athletic fields, over 100 miles of trails, three nature centers, two reservoirs, five recreation centers, five golf courses, indoor and outdoor aquatic facilities and one of Colorado's largest municipal urban forestry programs.

Aurora PROS is committed to delivering exceptional public service while being responsible stewards of its diverse system of parks, programs, natural resources and amenities that enhance the daily quality of life for Aurora residents.

The hiring range for this role is $15.54 - $19.42/hour.

Salary To Be Commensurate With Experience.

The application deadline is November 22, 2026. Please note that the City of Aurora will conduct ongoing application screenings on a first-come, first-served basis; as soon as we determine we have a qualified pool of applicants, this position may close quickly and without notice.

Naturalist Assistant

This role uniquely combines highly energetic and interactive work with quiet, self-directed project time. This role requires attending busy events, engaging with a wide range of audiences, and motivation to complete assigned relevant research projects.

PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Leads or assists with Scout programs, nature-themed birthday parties, guided hikes, day camps, preschool programs, and curriculum-based programs for school-aged children in the Aurora and Cherry Creek school districts.
• Staff information desks (answer phones, greet visitors, impromptu center and exhibit tours, etc.).
• Assists full-time naturalists with interpretive programming for pre-k through adult age groups.
• Plans, researches, and presents interpretive programming for a variety of audiences.
• Assists in researching, updating, designing, and installing interpretive exhibits on local plant and animal life.
• Assists with live animal care for a small collection of reptiles, amphibians, and arthropods.
• Performs maintenance and light cleaning such as picking up trash, pulling weeds, vacuuming, dusting, shoveling snow, tidying restrooms, sweeping, and mopping.
• Educates park users regarding park rules and regulations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Education:

• High School Diploma or GED

Experience:

• At least one year of experience (either volunteer or paid) teaching science in formal or informal environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Interpretive Guide certification through the National Association for Interpretation
• Spanish language skills desired, but not required

Knowledge:

• Basic knowledge of scientific concepts and principles including adaptation, evolution, biology, and ecology
• Basic working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook and PowerPoint

Skills:

• Skill in explaining complex topics to a wide range of audiences
• Skill in oral and written communication

Abilities:

• Ability to interact positively with people of all ages and abilities
• Well organized and self-motivated
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, all levels of management including executive staff, citizens, and elected officials

Licenses And Certifications Required:

• Excellent driving record

WORKING CONDITIONS

Essential Personnel:

• When a local announcement of emergency or disaster is declared by the City, all City of Aurora employees may be required to work as essential personnel

Physical Demands:

• Medium level work that involves moving no more than 50 pounds with or without assistance at a time
• Frequent lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
• May require frequent pushing, pulling, bending, and stooping
• Clear vision to read and interpret reports and other written documents
• Speech communication and hearing to maintain communication with employees and residents
• Hand/eye coordination for operation of computer keyboard, working with others

Work Environment:

• Works primarily in recreation facilities, public buildings, and/ or parks. Programming often takes place outdoors so employee may be exposed to varying weather conditions, dust, haze, or other outdoor conditions.

Equipment Used:

• Uses standard office equipment including personal computer and common office software such as email, internet, Word, Excel
• This job may require the incumbent to use personal equipment (e.g. vehicle, cell phone, tools, etc.) in the course of their employment

The city of Aurora will implement furlough days (unpaid days off) for most employees in 2026. The scheduled furlough dates are January 16, April 10, July 2, and December 24.

For Veterans preference:

Please show all of your employment history, including military service and related documentation (DD214) on the application.

The City of Aurora is an equal opportunity employer. We are required by state and federal agencies to keep certain statistical records on applicants. It will not be used in any way to discriminate against you because of your sex, race, age, sexual orientation, creed, national origin, disability or military status, gender identity, unless related to a bona fide occupational qualification as defined by the Colorado Civil Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunity Commission.

Despite the changes in Colorado law, the City of Aurora maintains a drug-free workplace. A positive test of marijuana is grounds for disqualification and ineligibility for employment with the city for one year or termination once hired.

Drug Testing, Thorough Criminal Background Check, And Employment References:

As a condition of employment, all applicants selected for employment with the City of Aurora must undergo a thorough criminal background check.

Applicants selected for safety-sensitive positions are required to complete and pass a drug screening as a condition of employment. Safety sensitive positions include Civil Service positions within Police and Fire Departments and positions where their job responsibilities have direct and substantial responsibility that would impact the health and safety of others.

Employment references will be conducted on finalists for City of Aurora vacancies.

Notice Regarding Colorado Identification Document Protections (HB26-1283)

As part of the employment eligibility verification process, the city of Aurora may request government-issued identification documents as permitted by law. Original identification documents will be reviewed only as necessary for employment eligibility verification and will not be retained longer than permitted by law. Applicants will retain possession and control of their original identification documents except for any temporary retention permitted or required by law.