Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION:

This position is the chief interpreter/naturalist for the Missouri State Park system and has statewide oversight of interpretive, educational and training programs for the system. The position requires a highly creative, innovative, and experienced individual to plan and conduct natural and cultural history programs, activities, and events for Missouri state park and historic site visitors; and to plan and conduct professional development and continuing education training for full-time and seasonal staff.

JOB DUTIES:

• Coordinating with Missouri State Parks staff and external partners on implementing both statewide and facility-specific special events and interpretive programs that appeal to diverse audiences and cover a wide range of natural and cultural history-related topics, as well as outdoor skills and trail-related events.

• Creating and presenting off-site interpretive/educational programs for various audiences on an extensive variety of natural and cultural history topics, as well as outdoor recreation skills.

• Liaising with field interpreters on programming ideas and providing support for field interpretation.

• Assisting with the development of facility-specific interpretive panels and exhibits, facility-specific video presentations, statewide and facility-specific interpretive brochures, and facility-specific Interpretation Plans.

• Guiding the development of programs for school-aged groups in accordance with the standards outlined by the Missouri Department of Education; and coordinating with teachers, school administrators and leaders of youth organizations regarding outdoor educational resources and activities offered by Missouri State Parks.

• Planning and conducting annual training and workshops for full-time and seasonal staff, including basic principles of interpretation, advanced interpretive techniques, stewardship methods, and outdoor skills.

• Recruiting and assisting with placement of seasonal naturalists and interpreters in state parks and historic sites.

• Having a fundamental knowledge of Missouri’s major natural community types and a broad knowledge of Missouri’s major historical events, prominent figures, geography, and diverse heritage.

• Achieving Certified Interpretive Trainer (CIT) status through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI); as well as maintaining certification and membership in national and statewide professional organizations, such as NAI and the Association of Missouri Interpreters (AMI).

• Managing an annual budget and ensuring purchases and expenditures are within budgeted amounts; projecting annual needs and expenditures and proposing budget changes as needed.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

One or more years of experience as an Interpretive Resource Specialist III with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

Two or more years of experience as an Interpretive Resource Specialist II with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.

OR

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 15 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Environmental, Biological or Natural Sciences, Natural Resources, Resource Management, History, Anthropology, Archaeology, Parks and Outdoor Recreation, or a closely related field; and,

Four or more years of experience in research, development and/or presentation of interpretive and educational programs in a park, historic site or museum; management of natural and/or cultural resources; researching and/or presenting information relating to artifacts or archaeological sites; teaching science or history; or comparable experience in a conservation or environmental program.

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

(Earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the required experience at a rate of 24 earned graduate credit hours for one year.)

Additional Information

Applicants must meet the qualifications for the Interpretive Resources Coordinator job classification: https://oa.mo.gov/personnel/classification-specifications/1263#class-spec-compact3.

Interested candidates should visit https://dnr.mo.gov/forms/documents/780-1601-f.pdf to complete the DNR application for employment and submit it, along with a resume and digital copy of official transcripts, to the Human Resources Program via the instructions provide on page 1 of the application. The application deadline is 07/22/2019. The department will begin reviewing applications at that time and hire as soon as possible. For more information, please visit our website or call (573-751-2518) (TDD users call Missouri Relay at 800-735-2966).

All candidate information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The Missouri Department of Natural Resources is an equal opportunity employer.