Naturalist

Poweshiek County Job Description 

Position: Naturalist                                                    Reports to: Director     Department: Conservation    

 General Summary  - A Full-Time/Non-exempt Position, this employee is responsible for environmental education programming and some park maintenance. Under general supervision of the Director, this employee will be responsible for organizing and providing environmental education programing to school groups, civic groups, and the general public through workshops and class room settings.  This individual will also help maintain and further develop the county’s web site and will provide written media for the local papers and social media sites; and performs other related duties as required by the Poweshiek County Conservation Board. This employee will also assist with the maintenance of the park facilities, wildlife areas, and with camper registration when needed.  Weekend, holiday, and evening work will be required.

A.  Essential Functions  (may include, but not limited to the following):  

1.   Approximately 90% of this position will focus on environmental education programing (naturalist work), and the other 10% will focus on resource management (field work).

 2.  Conducts environmental education programs for youth and adult groups as requested. Assists in a wide variety of public relations and services.  

3.  Identifies target groups within the county who are receptive to various environmental education projects; designs specific programs which are compatible with the public’s needs and consistent with departmental goals and objectives.

4.  Operates personal computers, spread sheets, desk-top publishing applications, Pictometry, PowerPoint applications, digital cameras, scanners, etc.  

5.  Will help maintain and further develop the county’s web site and will provide written media for the local papers and social media sites pertaining to environmental topics, programs, and activities of the Conservation Board.

6.  Will participate in continuing education programs, keeping current with new developments in the conservation field and continuing professional growth.    

7.  Will work with local school groups or clubs, conservation groups, chapters, or associations in Poweshiek County.  Creating partnerships with these groups to continually improve our county’s natural resources on public and private land.  

8.  Will research and write grants to supplement the county conservation budget for various conservation related projects.  

 B.  Physical Demands Walking, standing, lifting, carrying, bending, climbing, seeing, and able to use hands to manipulate tools is all required in the maintenance operation of the parks.  Driving pickups and tractors with manual transmissions, hearing, and speaking to communicate with the public and other staff members will be required.

  C.   Cognitive Demands Ability to think for one's self in order to carry out the maintenance operations in a safe and efficient manner, and able to think and act professionally in situations dealing with emergencies or enforcing park rules and regulations.  Knowledge of various natural resources fields, such as wildlife, fisheries, forestry and park management, and able to apply that knowledge for practical use in the field, and able to communicate that information to help educate the public.

  D.  Work Environment and Equipment Most of the work outside can be in all types of weather (rain, sun, wind, snow).  Operating noisy equipment such as tractors, mowers, small engines, and power tools will be common.  Work in maintenance shops operating saws, drills, welder, torches and a variety of other power and hand tools will also be common.  Types of equipment commonly used would include self-propelled commercial mowers, grass trimmers, chain saws, tractors with loaders, oxygen/acetylene torches, all types of hand and power tools, pickups, dump trucks tree spades, tree planters, tree bars, drip torches, rotary mowers, native grass seed drills, jon boat and motors; equipment trailers, 3 pt. blades,  disc, harrows, ATV, hand sprayer; 3 pt. post auger; personal computers, spread sheets, desk-top publishing applications, PowerPoint applications, digital cameras, scanners, copy machines, telephones, calculators, MS word programs, and MS excel. programs

 E.   Supervision of Others This individual will help supervise seasonal workers, volunteers, and community service workers.

 F.   Entry Qualifications   Completion of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in wildlife biology, natural resources,  park management, or related field, and two years’ experience in the naturalist field.  

This individual must possess a valid driver’s license.

All applicants must be U.S. citizens and must become residents of Iowa upon appointment, and be able to obtain a valid Iowa Driver’s license.  Must be at least 21 years of age but not more than 65 years of age, on date of appointment, and cannot have a criminal record.   This individual is required to pass a pre-employment physical, drug screen, and complete a Job Placement Assessment (JPA).

  G.    Other

  1.  Marginal functions of this position that are incidental to the performance of the fundamental job duties have been excluded from our job descriptions.  

2.  All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

3.   This job description in no way states or implies that the description includes every duty to be performed by the employee occupying the position.  Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job related duties requested by the Conservation Board or Director.