Position Details

Status:  Part-time position, permanent and or seasonal

Hours: Based on position responsibilities and business need, may include evenings, nights and weekends

Salary:  Starts at $20.00 to $25.00 per hour depending upon experience/skills

Location: Staring Lake Outdoor Center and Observatory; offsite on occasion based on program needs

Reporting Relationship: Reports to Outdoor Center Supervisor/Naturalist

Recreation Division

The Recreation Services Division has the responsibility for managing all recreation facilities and providing a variety of affordable recreation programs and services for all age groups and people of all abilities. The staff in this division are responsible for the management of facilities such as the Community Center, the Senior Center, and the Outdoor Center, as well as all other City park buildings and recreation facilities such as swimming beaches, sledding hill, amphitheater and facilities on school property that are operated in partnership with the School District such as the Oak Point Pool and tennis courts at CMS.

Position Responsibilities

The Outdoor Center Naturalist/Instructor assists in planning, implementing, and teaching programs that foster an appreciation for the natural environment. The primary position responsibilities and areas of impact are: 

1. Creates and implements high quality programs for the general public in the area of environmental education, nature studies, and outdoor recreation.
2. Provides quality instruction in all aspects of nature related programs, classes and camps.
3. Develops, organizes and facilitates program plans and group activities in class and/or camp setting.
4. Organizes and implements outdoor nature educational activities (i.e., camping, canoeing, fishing) as required.
5. Creates and provides instructional services for naturalist birthday parties.
6. Helps to clean and maintain enclosures which house live animals.
7. Conveys expectations of the program to the participants, and communicates recommendations for program improvements to the Outdoor Center Supervisor/Naturalist.
8. Ability to plan, implement and teach preschool preferred.
9. Work with educational ambassadors (raptors and other animals) preferred.

While these areas are the primary focus of the position, we believe strongly in teamwork and employees will be called upon to perform a variety of duties as a part of their role with the City.

Position Requirements

Education: B.S. or B.A. degree in natural history, biology, environmental science, education/teaching or related subject; CPR and First Aid certifications preferred.

Work Experience: One year of naturalist, biologist or teaching experience, working with children and adults. Experience with teaching nature preschool preferred. Working with educational ambassador (raptors) preferred.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to frequently lift/carry/pull up to 35 lbs. and occasionally lift/carry/pull 35–75 lbs. and infrequently lift/carry/pull up to 100 lbs.; must be capable of handling domestic and or wild animals.

City Expectations

We are a service organization. We take pride in what we do. We cultivate a supportive, encouraging and productive culture with a strong customer focus. We promote wellness and plan work/life balance into our goals. We value differences and foster inclusion. We achieve success by exhibiting our core values: collaboration, innovation, integrity, performance and relationships.

Position Specific Expectations

Communication: Able to convey a message to get a point across; communicates in a clear and concise manner; able to write clearly and succinctly; tailors message to a variety of communication settings and styles.

Attention to Detail: Able to find errors in work and solve problems; anticipates issues and performs at a high level of accuracy; sets up systems to ensure errors are not repeated.

Accountability: Follows through on commitments; focuses on appropriate tasks throughout the shift; takes responsibilities for actions both as an individual and on behalf of the organization; actions and words are in sync; follows all policies and procedures; maintains confidentiality; is prepared and punctual to all scheduled shifts.

Sound Judgment: Able to make a decision based on the right mixture of facts; determines a course of action after weighing and analyzing different options.

City of Eden Prairie Pre-Employment Process

The City of Eden Prairie conducts the following pre-employment checks for this position:

1. Work history

2. Professional references

3. Criminal history/Driver's Check

*All final candidates must successfully complete and pass the City's evaluation of the pre-employment process before their first day of employment.

City of Eden Prairie Application Process

Application Deadline:  Monday, August 26, 2019

Review Applications:  As received

Interviews:  As applications are received

Expected Start Date:  Negotiable