Naturalist - John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center

Harris County is seeking a Naturalist for the John Paul Landing Environmental Education Center in Houston, TX. The role involves developing and leading outdoor recreation and environmental education programs, maintaining animal enclosures, and coordinating with staff and volunteers. Candidates should be self-motivated, possess strong communication skills, and be comfortable working outdoors. The position requires weekend and evening shifts and includes various administrative and programmatic responsibilities.
Position Description

Working at Harris County Precinct 4:

You will be surrounded by team members who bring “heart, hustle, and higher standards” to work each day. These leaders advance opportunity and justice as they deliver services to and advocate for the residents of Harris County. The team you will be joining is innovative, dynamic, and forward-looking.

What you will do for Harris County Precinct 4 (HCP4)

Harris County Precinct 4 has an exciting opportunity for a Naturalist. The Naturalist will be an integral member of the Parks Department team and will work with team leaders including other staff, volunteers, and organizations to create a vibrant array of nature interpretation and outdoor educational programs. Working with Precinct 4, candidates must possess a “can do attitude,” excellent communication skills and the ability to interact well with the public. In carrying out daily work assignments, supervision may be exercised over various work crews, volunteers, staff, visitors, and the public, both young and old. Program development will include creating and leading a wide variety of outdoor recreational and environmental education programs combined to bring awareness and appreciation of the natural resources found in our parks and trails in Precinct 4. Applicants should be self-motivated, willing to work outdoors, and not be afraid to get their hands dirty, yet able to conduct a variety of activities throughout the day.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:
• Help develop and lead a variety of outdoor recreation and interpretive environmental education programs. Adapts to a variety of situations, personalities, and available resources.
• Write structured program outlines and plans that focus on local ecosystems, flora & fauna, and watersheds that includes using illustrative materials.
• Build relationships with partner organizations.
• Maintain and perform routine cleaning of animal ambassador enclosures.
• Alert to public safety and work hazards.
• Answers correspondence and questions from the public related to programs and facilities.
• Collect, organize, and maintain records of attendance, successes and failures in the program schedule and file reports.
• Help develop yearly budgets and supplies for programs, tours, and equipment.
• Conduct advance planning of work itineraries, staff schedules, transportation, logistics and equipment needs.
• Develop promotional materials and publicity articles/submittals.
• Enforce Park rules/regulations and policies where applicable.
• Interact directly with other departments, staff, interns, volunteers, and other organizations within job duties.
• Maintain quality and appearance of all equipment, both for public use including canoes, kayaks, pontoon boat, bicycles, trailers, vehicles etc. as acquired for program.
• Perform routine equipment maintenance and assist with special projects as needed.
• Maintains accurate records of equipment.
• Helps plan and execute special events and festivals at various Precinct 4 parks held throughout the year.
• Work varying shifts including weekends and evenings.
• Maintains pertinent professional certifications, including NAI, boater’s education, CPR/AED/First Aid, angler education, etc.
• Writes informational articles for park publications and newspapers.
• Knowledge of GPS units and geocaching is a plus.
• May require working before, during, or after an emergency or disaster at the department's discretion

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net

Requirements

Education and Experience:
• Associate degree in parks and recreation, biology, environmental science, or nature related curriculum from an accredited college or university

OR:
• High school diploma or G.E.D. equivalent from an accredited educational institution
• Three (3) years of experience in a similar position or field of work

Licensure:
• Valid Texas driver’s license with a good driving record.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Knowledge of outdoor recreation activities and skills.
• Basic understanding of local flora and fauna.
• Comprehension of natural and Texas history.
• Basic knowledge of publication techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as science-related articles, procedure manuals, operating instructions, and maintenance instructions.
• Can write routine reports, correspondence, and informational articles for publication and program publicity for the media.
• Maintains and organizes records.
• Speaks effectively before public groups of visitors, both formally and informally.
• Ability to work on multiple tasks concurrently and meet expected project deadlines.
• Analyze, generate, research, and refine programs.
• Flexible personality, open to new ideas, and suggestions.
• Good observation skills and team oriented.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Good organizational skills
• Good knowledge of outdoor recreation activities; fishing, camping, hiking, etc.
• Familiar with interpretation industry standards
• Familiar with motorboat operation, canoes, or kayaking laws/techniques.
• Able to drive a 15-passenger van while pulling a trailer.
• Honesty and trustworthiness.
• Respectful of all people including staff, guests, residents, and the public.
• Flexibility and ability to adapt to changing situations.
• Demonstrates a strong work ethic.

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Experience:
• Nature interpretation and public speaking experience (preferred)

Licensure/Certification:
• National Association of Interpreters training/certification (preferred)

Language:
• Bilingual (preferred)

General Information

Position Type, Salary and Typical Hours of Work:
• Regular | Full-time | 40 hours per week

Physical Demands and Work Environment:
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers to handle, feel and reach with hands and arms; frequently required to sit, climb, or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell.
• This position must regularly lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, frequently lift and/or move 50 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works in outside weather conditions and is periodically exposed to wet and/or humid conditions; moving mechanical parts; high places; fumes or airborne particles; outside weather conditions; extreme cold; extreme heat & humidity; night-time shifts; and routine use of a computer monitor.
• Expect to work in a shared office/work environment with humans, animals, and reptiles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Featured Benefits:

Harris County employees receive a competitive salary plus medical, dental, and vision insurance at no cost to the employee after the first two months of full-time continued employment. Vacation, sick-time, and floating holidays allow our employees to recharge and balance work and personal time. Mandatory participation in our retirement program allows employees to save for retirement. Various other benefits and discounts lead to the satisfaction and engagement of our employees.

HARRIS COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to the high volume of applications, positions may close prior to the published closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HOW TO APPLY:

If this job sounds interesting, you meet the required qualifications, and you can see yourself working for Precinct 4 as a Naturalist, we invite you to apply online.