Naturalist Fellowship

Position Description

Improve your interpretive teaching skills and expand your knowledge of natural history and teaching techniques through a twelve-month Naturalist Fellowship at Dodge Nature Center in West St. Paul, Minnesota. Dodge provides environmental education and outdoor education experiences for thousands of people each year through school programs, public programs, and events.

The Naturalist Fellowship at Dodge Nature Center will provide you with opportunities to work with diverse audiences of all ages and to teach a wide variety of natural history, environmental, and agricultural topics.

Job Functions and Key Responsibilities

• Learn and present natural history, environmental, and agricultural education programs to children and adults
• Lead after-school and outreach programs
• Assist in developing and implementing camps
• Present public programs and lead the educational portion of birthday parties
• Participate in weekly training seminars by taking part in discussions, educational and natural history activities, and completing assignments
• Assist with care and feeding of educational animals
• Participate in seasonal special events and projects, restoration activities, promotion, and maintenance of equipment and materials
• Attend and participate in staff trainings and meetings

Qualifications

Position Requirements

• B.A. or B.S. degree, related field preferred
• Experience teaching or working with children
• High level of self-motivation, flexibility, enthusiasm, willingness to learn and perform a variety of duties in a timely manner
• Live onsite in a coed housing environment with three other Naturalist Fellows
• Basic knowledge of general natural history topics
• Ability to work a twelve-month term, with responsibilities that include weekdays, evenings, and weekends
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite

Physical Requirements

• Work outdoors year round in various weather conditions
• Traverse hilly, natural terrain for up to four hours
• Drive a vehicle
• Work with live animals
• Work in barns with farm animals, hay, and straw
• Work in an office and use a computer, phone, and other office equipment
• Lift and carry displays or equipment weighing up to 50 pounds

Preferred, but not required

• Fluency in Spanish
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds
• First Aid and CPR Certification

Compensation

• 30–40 hours/week with pay of $11.13/hour
• Onsite housing with internet access
• Training from professional naturalists and teachers
• Opportunity to earn up to 10 credits towards a graduate certification in Environmental Education from Hamline University
• Certified Interpretive Guide training through the National Association for Interpretation
• One year membership to the Minnesota Naturalists Association

Dodge Nature Center and Preschool is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applicants and staff to bring their diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to Dodge. We commit to fostering an inclusive, welcoming work environment for all employees.

How to Apply

Application deadline: Friday, January 31.

Please email your resume and the completed questionnaire to:

Teresa Root, Naturalist Fellowship Coordinator: [email protected]