Naturalist Program Coordinator

What You'll Do

• Plan, develop, implement, coordinate, lead, and evaluate diversified year-round nature-based and environmental education programs and events for preschoolers, children, teens, families, and volunteers. Make program and activity adaptations for accessibility as needed.
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the environmental education and nature-based needs of underserved and historically marginalized communities.  
• Work in a variety of neighborhood and regional parks. 
• Hire, train, schedule and supervise front line staff to include part-time and seasonal staff and youth workers. 
• Oversee the equipment and material requirements for environmental education programs and track inventory.
• Assist MPRB in identifying and addressing the park and recreation needs of underserved and under-represented communities.

What To Bring

Need to Have:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, Parks and Recreation Administration, or related field.
• Experience developing and delivering environmental education programming to a range of participants: at least two (2) years of full time work
• Experience coordinating and scheduling environmental education programming involving part-time staff time and ideally including multiple locations: at least two  (2) years of full time work.
• Supervisory experience of employees to include part-time and seasonal staff: at least two (2) years.
• An equivalent combination of related experience and education and training may be considered. 
•  Valid driver’s license.

Nice to Have:

• Fluency in a second language preferred

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The physical ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, stand, walk, drive, push, pull, lift, finger, grasp, feel, talk, hear, see and perform repetitive motions.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

The ability to safely operate a motor vehicle as incumbents are subject to local travel both to and from work locations.   Operating office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.  The ability to remain in a sitting or standing position for extended periods of time.

The incumbent may be required to traverse on rough, uneven terrain, as well as wet and slippery surfaces to ascend and descend ladders to access work areas.

Ability to perform basic outdoor recreational skills such as biking, canoeing, cross-country skiing, and/or snowshoe at a beginner’s level.

Working outdoors in a natural environment with exposure to extreme heat or cold. Working with live animals and their care with exposure to odors and animal bites or other injuries.

Work is performed in a normal office environment 30% to 50% of the time and 50% to 70% of the time is leading programs in the field, attending meetings, and gathering supplies. These percentages will vary by season. Outdoor work in all weather conditions is performed as needed.     Will be required to work alternate work schedule including evenings and weekends and occasional holidays

Skills Crucial to Success in This Role:

• Organize and creatively lead and administer environmental education activities for enhanced service delivery.
• Cultural competence in engaging people from diverse communities. 
• Establish and maintain working relationships with the public, government agencies, private organizations, neighborhood associations, and other groups.
• Lead, supervise and evaluate work of part-time and seasonal employees and volunteers.
• Critically evaluate and analyze current program performance and data and provide meaningful reports to assist with the development of improved program and service delivery. 

Additional Information

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Union Status: AFSCME Local 3279

Job Information Session:  A 30 minute Job Information Session will be held on Thursday, February 1, 2024 at 11:30AM via phone conference.  This is your opportunity to ask questions about the position and to gain a better understanding of the civil service application process.  Interested parties are encouraged to attend.  Please join us via phone conference at (612) 230-6594.  

View a full list of qualifications and job description 

Learn more about Veteran’s Preference

Selection Process:

To apply for this full-time civil service position, applicants must complete an online application with supplemental questions at www.minneapolisparks.org/jobs.  Late applications will be rejected.

What steps the selection process involves:

• We review your minimum qualifications.
• We rate your training and experience based on application materials and supplemental questions (30%).
• We conduct a structured panel interview (oral exam) (70%).
• We calculate your civil service score based on the above components and place you on the eligible list if all testing components are passed (passing score for each component and as an overall score is 70.00 or above).  Eligible list will expire in three (3) months.
• We refer the top finalists to the hiring manager for an interview.
• References, including verification of employment and work performance, may be considered. 
• We conduct a background check.  Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, the applicant will be asked to sign an informed consent allowing the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board to obtain their criminal history in connection with the positions sought. View the MPRB Background Check Policy at https://www.minneapolisparks.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Background-Check-Policy.pdf

Please note that HR reserves the right to limit the number of people invited to successive testing events.

The MPRB is a tobacco-free workplace and park system.

The MPRB is an Equal Opportunity Employer.