Danielle Zorman 4B by Danielle Zorman

Job description and Responsibilities

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:15:15 UTC

A Park Naturalist is someone who conducts nature walks, interpretive conversations, and demonstrates to engage visitors and teach about the parks flora, fauna, geology, and ecological processes. Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park. Responsibilities include preservation, restoring, maintaining, and protecting natural habitats.

Working conditions

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:23:57 UTC

Park naturalists are typically outside and may have to undergo conditions such as either hot weather, cold weather, rain, sleet, hail, ice and possibly even exposed to hazardous situations. Naturalists generally work 40 hours a week, but may work overtime during busy seasons. You can work in either a group or by yourself, depending on how many co-workers are scheduled. The job is physically demanding.

Local earnings and benefits

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:28:50 UTC

Park naturalists earn an average yearly salary of $59,850. Wages typically start from $37,600 and go up to $81,920. With $23.71 an hour. This job provides educational and physical benefits.

Employment Trends

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:39:37 UTC

PA maintains and protects 124 state parks.

State/ National parks employ. There is not an actual number for all employment in PA.

In PA, services like National Parks Service in both Philadelphia and Scranton offer job opportunities. And you can find job applications all over the country on conservation and national park websites depending on the state.

Qualifications

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:47:31 UTC

Requirements for Park naturalists is a 4 year bachelors degree program in environmental education or biology. Park naturalists tend to be predominantly social individuals, meaning that they thrive in situations where they can interact with, persuade, or help people. They also tend to be artistic, meaning that they are creative and original and work well in a setting that calls for self-expression. No high school courses are required but a few that would definitely help are, Anthropology, Botany and Zoology, Forestry, National resources management, US History, etc.

Educational Institutions

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:52:09 UTC

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Syracuse, NY.

University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Stevens Point, WI.

Allegheny College. Meadville, PA.

Cornell University. Ithaca, NY.

The University of Montana. Missoula, MT.

Benefits and Drawbacks

dzorman25 — 2024-10-31 17:55:23 UTC

Benefits of becoming a Park Naturalist include sick leave, paid vacation, health insurance, and a retirement plan.

One drawback of becoming a Park Naturalists are the harsh conditions which are possibly dangerous and reoccurring.