Interpretive Naturalist

This is a non-exempt (hourly) position and based on seasonal needs. An Interpretive Naturalist & Guide at the Okefenokee Swamp Park or Okefenokee Adventures is responsible for providing exciting, safe, and deeply informative outdoor experiences in and around the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.  An attention to detail with an extreme customer service focus is a requirement for the effective execution of this position.  Guides must abide by the guidelines set by the General Managers (GM) and in alignment with the contractual covenants set by the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

This position requires an unwavering commitment to professionalism and a thorough and complete understanding of all crisis management, health, and safety protocols. Guides take visitors on excursions into the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge via motorized boat or canoe/kayak or bike or walking trails. Guides should develop well-rounded knowledge of flora, fauna, geology, geography, hydrology, general ecology, and fire ecology of the Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding region of the southeastern coastal plain in general, and knowledge of human history of the Okefenokee in particular. The ability to correctly identify wildlife and plants of the Okefenokee is a must. 

Guides may provide interpretation while operating a motorized boat or a canoe/kayak and must be able to enhance the visitors’ experience through skilled operation when encountering wildlife (safely maneuvering and positioning the boat for photographs and interpretation). A variety of weather conditions must be tolerated. Public speaking skills are a must- guides must be able to comfortably speak to (and answer questions from) the public for the standard tours of up to ninety minute tours, but may occasionally have to give longer educational tours. (OSP has tours of different lengths)  Skillful interpretation, performed in a variety of methods and techniques, is paramount to the visitors’ tour experience to provide a deeply informative and enjoyable experience in the Okefenokee.