Naturalist Assistant (Variable Hours)

City of Aurora; Colorado; On-site; USD 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site fitness center

Well-Funded General Employees Pension

Job summary

City of Aurora’s PROS Department seeks a Naturalist Assistant to engage park visitors and lead educational programs at Aurora’s parks and open spaces. You will support events, guide interpretive activities, and help maintain exhibits, while promoting safe, inclusive experiences for all ages.

The role emphasizes public interaction, hands-on learning, and collaboration with professional naturalists, educators, and volunteers in a dynamic municipal setting.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• At least one year of experience teaching science in formal or informal settings.
• Knowledge of basic scientific concepts (biology, ecology) and MS Office tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead or assist scout programs, nature-themed birthday parties, guided hikes, day camps and school programs.
• Staff information desks and support naturalists with interpretive programming.
• Plan and present interpretive activities for diverse audiences.
• Assist in developing exhibits related to local flora and fauna.

Skills

Public speaking

Communication

Organization

Audience engagement

Education

HS Diploma

Tools

Excel

Word

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

JOB LOCATION

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.

The Naturalist Assistant job 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, and 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 level