Seasonal Natural Resources Worker - Indiana Dunes State Park

The State of Indiana is hiring Seasonal Natural Resources Workers at Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, IN. The role involves providing customer service and educating visitors about the park while maintaining its natural resources. Positions include Interpretive Specialists, Naturalist Aides, and Resource Management Techs. The hourly wage starts at $13.25. Applicants need a high school diploma or relevant experience.
Work for Indiana

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package, and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

About Indiana Dunes State Park:
Indiana Dunes consists of 2,182 acres of primitive, beautiful, historic, and unique Hoosier landscape and includes more than three miles of beautiful beach along Lake Michigan’s southern shore. In the early 1900s, scientists, recreationists, and nature enthusiasts, recognizing the value and potential of the Indiana dunes area, fought to have the region preserved. As a result, in 1925, the state park was established. Large dunes, located along the shoreline, tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan. A wide range of habitats and plant species are found in the park, with vegetation stabilizing some of the sand. These habitats provide homes for many types of plants and animals. The lake also provides a habitat for many aquatic species, as well as a constantly changing fishery.

Salary Statement:

The hourly wage for seasonal positions varies, starting at $13.25/hour.

A Day in the Life:

The Seasonal Natural Resources Workers provide customer service and education to visitors about park features while maintaining the property's natural resources. Seasonal Natural Resources Worker positions and their essential functions are as follows:
• Interpretive Specialists: Educate the public on property-specific nature, history, culture, and park services through memorable experiences.
• Naturalist Aides: Assists with education of the nature center programming, local/common flora and fauna, and local/common animal species. This position may also assist in the care of animals (feeding, watering, and bedding changes) and the general maintenance of the nature center.
• Village Workers (Spring Mill State Park Only): Assists with education of period-appropriate trades, techniques, and crafts while presenting cultural history. Trades include woodworking, leatherwork, broom-making, blacksmith, weaving, and milling.
• Cave Tour Guides (O’Bannon Woods State Park Only): Educate the general public on the natural history of caves. Tour Guides assist with scheduling reservations and collecting tour fees. Further, research may be required on the identification and care of relevant flora and fauna. Tour Guides are expected to maintain boats, equipment, and the registration shed.
• Resource Management Techs: Assists with the control of invasive plant species natural area restoration trail maintenance, brush and tree removal, signage, timber marking, and/or timber stand improvement based on the property.

The job profile is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

What You'll Need for Success:

​​​​​​​You must meet the following requirements to be considered for employment:
• High school diploma, GED, or one (1) year of work experience
• May be expected to work afternoons, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• May be required to wear a DNR-provided uniform
• May be required to travel to different properties
• May experience working in potentially inclement weather
• May experience working with DOC work release crews
• May be required to have a valid driver’s license.
• May perform duties in a variety of different environments, including an office environment, field environment, rugged terrain, and various adverse weather conditions (extreme heat, cold, rain, snow, sleet, etc.).
• May work around potentially dangerous heavy equipment (e.g. tractors, disks, mowers, planters, etc.).
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

This seasonal position does not offer benefits and is limited to 180 working days in an eleven (11) month continuous period

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.