We respect and embrace the experiences, knowledge and contributions of our team members. We strive for a culture of belonging and balance by upholding our values : Stewardship, Integrity, Collaboration, Respect and Innovation. We are passionate about Missouri, our role to preserve, protect and enhance our environment and we are committed to serving its’ citizens. We believe our mission and vision serves a greater purpose and will be felt for generations to come.
This position will be located at
Bennett Spring State Park, 26250 Hwy 64A Lebanon, MO 65536. The shift is normally Wednesday through Sunday (March - October) 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Monday through Friday 8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. (November-February) with a half hour lunch break. Some night and weekend work may be required for special events, emergencies, holidays, and rotating weekend coverage for the facility.
The ideal candidate is someone who loves the outdoors and enjoys sharing what they know about the park’s natural and cultural resources with others through interpretive programs and guided hikes. They will prepare and present programs at Bennett Spring and other state parks and historic sites, libraries, and schools. As one of the busiest parks in the state, this job will keep the chosen candidate busy. As visitations slows down in the winter, this position transitions to a focus on natural resource stewardship activities, including invasive species removal and prescribed fires. The chosen candidate will have independence to lead all the interpretive programing and stewardship activities of the park and will supervise volunteers and seasonal employees.
- Manage the parks’ nature center, including:
- Participating in planning and directing natural and/or cultural history interpretation, resource management and research for Bennett Spring State Park.
- Presenting interpretive and educational programs to state park visitors and /or at schools or other community locations, conduct state park visitor group activities.
- Researching and developing natural and cultural resource lectures, exhibits, interpretive and educational programs, audio-visual programs, and publications.
- Assisting with recruitment, training, supervising, and evaluating seasonal and volunteer interpretation and stewardship staff.
- Providing visitors with information concerning facilities and regulations.
- Lead natural and cultural resource activities at the park including:
- Planning, conducting, and leading prescribed fire program.
- Leading exotic species control activities.
- Evaluating and leading ecosystem restoration programs.
- Monitoring animal populations and provide recommendations.
- Developing natural resources management plans.
- Keeping accurate records and document historic artifacts within the park’s collection.
- Assisting with maintaining historic structures within Bennett Spring State Park.
- Assist with maintaining historic structures within Bennett Spring State Park.
- Work with multiple departments and inter-agencies on the State and Federal level.
- Collaborate with other park staff on trail maintenance projects. Have the ability to walk long distances on uneven terrain in all kinds of weather and environmental conditions and have the ability to lift 25 pounds with or without an accommodation.
To be successful in this position, a candidate will need the following skills:
- Interpretation (Resources) : Ability to coordinate, manage and direct interpretive or educational programing related to natural or cultural resources in a way that conveys significance to visitors; connecting them to personal relevance, shared learning, meeting specific learning objectives (i.e. educator or community needs), informing public about compliance and safety, supporting management of natural or cultural resources representative of national heritage, and enhancing mutual understanding for individual and social benefit.
- Self-Management : Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior.
- Stewardship (Resources) : Basic knowledge of the concepts, principles, and theories of natural and cultural features along with special ecological stewardship requirements; capable of gaining experience in performing stewardship tasks required for strenuous outdoor work; ability to appear before the public, makes clear and convincing oral presentations; give out general information, conduct interpretive educational programs and conduct tours about natural and cultural history in an effective way; assist in supervising, recruiting, training and evaluating seasonal and volunteer staff.
- Oral and Written Communication : Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, consider the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral and written presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
- Flexibility : Is open to change and new information; adapts behavior or work methods in response to new information, changing conditions, or unexpected obstacles; effectively deals with uncertainty.
- Planning and Evaluating : Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.
- Interpersonal Skills : Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
Equivalent to those typically gained by:
- Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Ecology, Environmental Science, Forestry, Natural Resources, Wildlife Management or related field and 1-2 years of relevant experience in natural resource management, scientific research methods and applications, or field identification of flora and fauna. (Additional education or experience may be substituted for the required education and experience).
- Training or certification through Master Naturalists, Certified Interpretive Guide Training, Missouri State Parks Interpreter Training (George Kastler School for Interpretation), or similar training preferred.
- Ability to operate a vehicle and maintain a valid vehicle operator’s license.
- Must complete S130 & S190 online wildfire training courses within 6 months of hire date.
Lack of post-secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant. Benefits & Work-life BalanceOur benefits package and flexible 40-hour work week promotes the mental and physical health of you and your family as you work towards achieving your professional goals. Benefits include paid vacation and sick leave, paid life insurance, medical, dental, vision and prescription insurance. Learn more here .
How we invest in you: - Exceptional professional development: mentoring from experienced professionals, cross-media training, career advancement opportunities, paid trainings and continuing education tuition assistance.
- Support for professional registrations when required, through paid study materials, fees, study time, test time, exam fees and licensure renewal fees.
