Summer Naturalist

Summer Naturalist

Position Description

Updated May 2024

Riveredge is more than a nature center. Its legacy as a pioneer in the areas of land restoration, research, and inquiry-based education throughout Wisconsin serve as a strong foundation to its future initiatives.  Today, Riveredge is redefining the role of the nature center in the community by empowering and supporting communities to live in harmony with their natural environment in a way that encourages exploration, adventure, and fun. The mission of Riveredge Nature Center is to support conservation through education that awakens curiosity, engages the body, and explores connections to nature for all generations.

Position Purpose

The Seasonal Naturalist is expected to work as part of the Riveredge Nature Center team of staff and volunteers. This position is responsible for leading summer camp programming and teaching environmental education programs to people of all ages. This is a part-time, seasonal position.

Primary Responsibilities

• Teach inquiry-based on-site, environmental education programs for school-aged children. 
• Assist in the delivery of new curriculum materials for a variety of environmental education programs for school, Scout, youth group, summer and family audiences as needed.
• Teach Nature Journeys summer camps and adventure programs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Position Expectations

In addition to the Primary Duties, the Seasonal Naturalist is expected to meet the following expectations set forth to all staff members of Riveredge Nature Center:

• Meaningfully contribute to the Riveredge staff team. 
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment through personal actions such as supporting and helping other staff members and volunteers.
• Provide high quality customer service experiences to all guests and volunteers.
• Strive for excellence and innovation.

Compensation

Pay is determined by background and experience.

Benefits & Working Conditions

This is a seasonal, hourly position.

This position reports directly to the Associate Director of Education.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in the education, natural sciences or related field.
• Self-starter and a well-developed ability to set and meet goals and outcomes.
• Loves working with children of all ages and families.
• Enthusiastic, positive, motivated and likes to have fun on the job.
• Flexible, creative teacher with experience (K-adult) in a formal or non-formal setting.  
• Ability to work as a member of a team by sharing decision making while personally assuming and also asking for responsibility and accountability.
• Strong interpersonal skills, organized and professional demeanor, self-directed.
• Ability to physically traverse the Riveredge trails with ease.
• Naturalist skills and knowledge of Wisconsin natural history.
  • Experience with Google docs, Google calendar and social media.

Timeline

We are currently seeking a pool of candidates for this position. Interviews will be conducted starting May 15th.  The position will begin as soon as May 31st and run through August 31st, with a possibility to continue on in a limited capacity beyond the summer.

To apply: please send a letter of interest, resume and a list of three references in a single document to Director of Education Jeff Kierzek jkierzek@riveredge.us. View additional information: https://www.riveredgenaturecenter.org/careers/