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Naturalist Corps Internship

Posted: January 18, 2020 by MAEE Administration

Category: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

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Naturalist Corps Internship
Job Type
  • Internship - Paid
Organization Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Job Description
Job Class:  Intern

Working Title:  Naturalist Corps Intern

Who May Apply:  Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted:  01/02/2020
Closing Date:  01/31/2020
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:  Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit:  Parks and Trails
Work Shift/Work Hours:  Varies
Days of Work: Varies
Travel Required:  No
Salary Range: $15.00 / hourly
Classified Status:  Non-Status
Bargaining Unit/Union:  223 - Non-Employee
Work Location:  Various
Anticipated Start Date:  May 2020
Anticipated End Date:  September 2020
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt
Connect 700 Program Eligible:  No

Job Summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

This posting will be used to fill up to 12 internships in the following State Park locations: Fort Snelling, Gooseberry, Interstate area, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Lake Carlos, Sibley, Tettegouche, Whitewater, Wild River, and William O'Brien.

Naturalist Corps interns interpret the natural and cultural features of state parks and trails in order to enhance visitors' awareness, understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of those resources. Under the mentorship of a park naturalist, Naturalist Corps interns provide public programs, answer visitor questions, and complete other projects as assigned.

Work hours vary, but will include afternoons/evenings, weekends, and holidays. Summer 3.5 month positions are from early to mid-May through Labor Day. This schedule is flexible and varies according to school year and state park. Housing is only provided at the following locations: Itasca and Tettegouche. For more state park information, visit the DNR website.

Selected applicants will be REQUIRED to attend a mandatory 3-day training held May 19, 2020 through May 21, 2020 at Lake Carlos State Park. This statewide naturalist training is held BEFORE the regular 3.5 month summer position begins. Uniforms are provided.

Responsibilities include:

  1. Present and lead programs and activities to a variety of audiences ranging from children to adults (about 85% of the job involves public speaking to large and small groups of visitors). These programs may include nature walks, campfire talks, demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations, and make and take activities that relate to the park’s natural, cultural, historical, and/or recreational resources.
  2. Conduct roving interpretation in high-use areas of the park. This may include developing a short interpretive talk on one of the natural, cultural, or recreational resources that also features appropriate props or quick hands-on activities for the visitors to do.
  3. Staff the park's visitor center and answer questions received from the public. Read prepared materials and become familiar with the park's points of interest, facilities, and trails in order to provide the public with accurate park information. Keep brochures available for the public and maintain exhibits in a clean and orderly manner.
  4. Assist park staff in conducting resource management activities such as invasive species control, plant and animal inventories and research, and seed harvesting.
  5. Complete special projects and training as assigned. This may include projects that relate to cultural or natural resource research, park operations, or regional or statewide interpretive projects or training activities.

Seven of the Naturalist Corps positions (one at each of the following locations: Fort Snelling, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Sibley, Whitewater, and William O'Brien State Parks) will perform the following MinnAqua duties 30% of their scheduled hours:

  1. Lead fishing programs, which includes handling live fish and bait.
  2. Teach fishing skills, fish identification, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, and water stewardship to a variety of audiences.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND
  2. Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

  • Must be a permanent resident of Minnesota.
  • Must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education in a natural resource related field (i.e. biology, botany, fish and wildlife, forestry, Minnesota natural or cultural history, environmental studies, natural resources management, environmental/outdoor education).
  • Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in public speaking or communications.
  • Volunteer work or employment in education, interpretation, or environmental education.
  • Experience related to aquatic resources such as aquatic biology, fisheries, etc.
  • Experience working with diverse audiences including families, youth, young children, senior citizens, and adults with various physical and learning abilities and ethnic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting articles such as 50-pound bags of feed maximum and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's License with a clear driving record.

It is policy of the Department of the Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment.  The background check may consist of the following components:

  1. Employee Reference Checks
  2. SEMA4 Record Check
  3. Criminal History Check
  4. Education/License Verification
Application Details
Why Work For Us

The Department of Natural Resources is proud to operate within a Culture of Respect that provides a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees.  This means that our employees are supportive of a diverse workplace, are respectful to one another and to our customers.  We believe that promoting a Culture of Respect allows our employees to do their best work in support of the agency’s mission.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the bottom of this page to submit an application/resume that clearly describes how you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.  If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Jennifer Conrad at jennifer.conrad@state.mn.us or 651-259-5597.

Location This posting will be used to fill up to 12 internships in the following State Park locations: Fort Snelling, Gooseberry, Interstate area, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Lake Carlos, Sibley, Tettegouche, Whitewater, Wild River, and William O'Brien.
Expires 2020-01-31
Link https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/
MAEE Partner Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Naturalist Corps Internship
  • Internship - Paid
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Location: This posting will be used to fill up to 12 internships in the following State Park locations: Fort Snelling, Gooseberry, Interstate area, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Lake Carlos, Sibley, Tettegouche, Whitewater, Wild River, and William O'Brien.
Expires: 2020-01-31
Link: https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/
MAEE Partner: Minnesota Department of Natural Resources
Job Description:
Job Class:  Intern

Working Title:  Naturalist Corps Intern

Who May Apply:  Open to all qualified job seekers
Date Posted:  01/02/2020
Closing Date:  01/31/2020
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit:  Department of Natural Resources
Division/Unit:  Parks and Trails
Work Shift/Work Hours:  Varies
Days of Work: Varies
Travel Required:  No
Salary Range: $15.00 / hourly
Classified Status:  Non-Status
Bargaining Unit/Union:  223 - Non-Employee
Work Location:  Various
Anticipated Start Date:  May 2020
Anticipated End Date:  September 2020
FLSA Status:  Non-Exempt
Connect 700 Program Eligible:  No

Job Summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota’s natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

This posting will be used to fill up to 12 internships in the following State Park locations: Fort Snelling, Gooseberry, Interstate area, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Lake Carlos, Sibley, Tettegouche, Whitewater, Wild River, and William O'Brien.

Naturalist Corps interns interpret the natural and cultural features of state parks and trails in order to enhance visitors' awareness, understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of those resources. Under the mentorship of a park naturalist, Naturalist Corps interns provide public programs, answer visitor questions, and complete other projects as assigned.

Work hours vary, but will include afternoons/evenings, weekends, and holidays. Summer 3.5 month positions are from early to mid-May through Labor Day. This schedule is flexible and varies according to school year and state park. Housing is only provided at the following locations: Itasca and Tettegouche. For more state park information, visit the DNR website.

Selected applicants will be REQUIRED to attend a mandatory 3-day training held May 19, 2020 through May 21, 2020 at Lake Carlos State Park. This statewide naturalist training is held BEFORE the regular 3.5 month summer position begins. Uniforms are provided.

Responsibilities include:

  1. Present and lead programs and activities to a variety of audiences ranging from children to adults (about 85% of the job involves public speaking to large and small groups of visitors). These programs may include nature walks, campfire talks, demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations, and make and take activities that relate to the park’s natural, cultural, historical, and/or recreational resources.
  2. Conduct roving interpretation in high-use areas of the park. This may include developing a short interpretive talk on one of the natural, cultural, or recreational resources that also features appropriate props or quick hands-on activities for the visitors to do.
  3. Staff the park's visitor center and answer questions received from the public. Read prepared materials and become familiar with the park's points of interest, facilities, and trails in order to provide the public with accurate park information. Keep brochures available for the public and maintain exhibits in a clean and orderly manner.
  4. Assist park staff in conducting resource management activities such as invasive species control, plant and animal inventories and research, and seed harvesting.
  5. Complete special projects and training as assigned. This may include projects that relate to cultural or natural resource research, park operations, or regional or statewide interpretive projects or training activities.

Seven of the Naturalist Corps positions (one at each of the following locations: Fort Snelling, Itasca (2 positions), Jay Cooke, Sibley, Whitewater, and William O'Brien State Parks) will perform the following MinnAqua duties 30% of their scheduled hours:

  1. Lead fishing programs, which includes handling live fish and bait.
  2. Teach fishing skills, fish identification, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, and water stewardship to a variety of audiences.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

  1. You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND
  2. Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

  • Must be a permanent resident of Minnesota.
  • Must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education in a natural resource related field (i.e. biology, botany, fish and wildlife, forestry, Minnesota natural or cultural history, environmental studies, natural resources management, environmental/outdoor education).
  • Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience in public speaking or communications.
  • Volunteer work or employment in education, interpretation, or environmental education.
  • Experience related to aquatic resources such as aquatic biology, fisheries, etc.
  • Experience working with diverse audiences including families, youth, young children, senior citizens, and adults with various physical and learning abilities and ethnic backgrounds.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasionally lifting articles such as 50-pound bags of feed maximum and frequently lifting and/or carrying objects such as heavy tools and file boxes. This job may require walking or standing to a significant degree on rough terrain or may involve sitting most of the time with pushing and pulling of arm and/or leg controls.

Additional Requirements

This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver's License with a clear driving record.

It is policy of the Department of the Natural Resources that all candidates submit to a background check prior to employment.  The background check may consist of the following components:

  1. Employee Reference Checks
  2. SEMA4 Record Check
  3. Criminal History Check
  4. Education/License Verification
Application Details
Why Work For Us

The Department of Natural Resources is proud to operate within a Culture of Respect that provides a healthy, safe, and productive work environment for all employees.  This means that our employees are supportive of a diverse workplace, are respectful to one another and to our customers.  We believe that promoting a Culture of Respect allows our employees to do their best work in support of the agency’s mission.

How to Apply

Click “Apply” at the bottom of this page to submit an application/resume that clearly describes how you meet the minimum qualifications listed above.  If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637.

For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

Contact

If you have questions about the position, contact Jennifer Conrad at jennifer.conrad@state.mn.us or 651-259-5597.

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