Seasonal Interpreter/Naturalist

We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : stewardship, integrity, collaboration, respect and innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.

This position will be located at Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park, 800 Guy Park Drive, Wildwood Missouri and is a temporary seasonal labor position that will assist staff in the daily operations of the park.

The duration of assignment will be October 2024 through March 2025 and will entail working weekends and holidays. No housing is available at this time.

• Provide educational natural/cultural history programs for park guests.
• Help care for the educational animals in the visitor center.
• Manage cleaning of the visitor center exhibits, bathrooms, lobby, etc.
• Help with daily park maintenance (i.e. leaf blowing parking lots, cleaning of restrooms, etc.)
• Maintain the hiking trails (i.e. clearing trails, flagging trails, etc.).
• Partake in stewardship opportunities.
  • Help maintaining and removing invasive species such as bush honeysuckle.
    • This may sometimes entail working with volunteer groups or school groups.
  • Help with any natural flora/fauna surveys within the park or other parks.
  • Help with prescribed burns within the park and surrounding parks, training will be provided if needed.
  • Help with the managed deer hunt(s).

This will require sampling the harvested deer for CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease), which will be later sent to Conservation for testing. Training will be provided.

To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:

• Interpretation (Resources): Ability to coordinate, manage and direct interpretive or educational programing related to natural or cultural resources in a way that conveys significance to visitors; connecting them to personal relevance, shared learning, meeting specific learning objectives (i.e. educator or community needs), informing public about compliance and safety, supporting management of natural or cultural resources representative of national heritage, and enhancing mutual understanding for individual and social benefit.
• Stewardship (Resources): Basic knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of natural and cultural features along with special ecological stewardship requirements; capable of gaining experience in performing stewardship tasks required for strenuous outdoor work; ability to appear before the public, makes clear and convincing oral presentations; give out general information, conduct interpretive educational programs and conduct tours about natural and cultural history in an effective way; assist in supervising, recruiting, training and evaluating seasonal and volunteer staff.

• History and Archaeology: Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and impact on particular civilization and cultures, and of preservation and archival techniques.

• Wildlife Biology: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of wildlife, including classification, taxonomy, population dynamics, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, behaviors, conservation, and care of wildlife.
• Botany: Knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of plants, including structures and functions, classification, taxonomy, plant communities, distribution, habitat requirements, life histories, reproduction, conservation, and care of plant species.

Other Preferred Qualifications/Experience/Special Job Requirements:

• Must be able to lift 50lbs and walk over uneven terrain for long periods of time.
• Experience with power equipment (i.e. brush cutter, chainsaw, backpack sprayers, etc.) preferred [Needed trainings will be provided].
• Graduated or attending a college or university with at least a freshman standing and majoring in any of the natural sciences, history, cultural resource management, outdoor recreation, or interpretive services.
• Not required, but MDC Level 1 fire training or equivalent to help on prescribed fires. Training will be provided.

Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Experience to be gained:

• Ability to give successful programs based on the National Association of Interpretation standards
• Ability to identify common exotic plants and management practices with invasive species
• Trail maintenance and best natural resource management practices

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• State of Missouri

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