Park Naturalist III Carlisle Visitor Center

This position supports wildlife education through interpretive programming public engagement large event setup and teardown and facility maintenance as needed. Responsibilities include daily husbandry care for program animals including amphibians reptiles and aquatic species with the potential to work with raptors corvids and mammals. The Park Naturalist III engages directly with the public to provide accurate Park District information and deliver high-quality nature and wildlife education through formal programs large events and informal interactions.

The position conducts a wide variety of interpretive programs focusing on wildlife educationboth assigned and self-initiatedwith oversight from a supervisor. Programs may include guided hikes hands-on activities and lectures and must be professionally researched planned developed and presented using accurate and current information. Audiences include preschoolers students of all ages scouts families civic and service organizations adults and senior citizens. School programs must align with Naturalist Department standards and Scout programs may be required to meet badge requirements. Programming may involve the use of audiovisual equipment live or taxidermy animals instruments and tools as well as room setup scheduling and facility preparation and cleanup.

The Park Naturalist III also disseminates information through personal contact telephone inquiries written correspondence (electronic and print) published writing assignments such as the Park Districts Arrowhead newsletter and interpretive exhibits. The position is frequently called upon to research design fabricate organize and maintain Park District interpretive displays and programming areas ensuring all content is accurate and in good working order.

A significant component of this position involves the professional care management and husbandry of program and display wildlife. The Park Naturalist III performs daily animal care duties for a variety of species that may include insects fish amphibians reptiles birds and mammals both native and non-native. Responsibilities include feeding watering enclosure cleaning and maintenance enrichment construction and distribution daily behavioral observations record keeping and reporting changes in behavior appetite or physical condition to their supervisor. Some wildlife may be considered mildly dangerous including raptors such as hawks owls falcons eagles and vultures requiring prior experience and/or the ability to be trained in safe handling and care procedures within two months of hire.

Specific animal care responsibilities include daily husbandry duties as assigned. Tasks may include assisting with daily weighing of birds requesting established trained behaviors administering medications as needed performing enclosure maintenance (raking hosing turf changes perch cleaning substrate replacement misting water changes tank cleaning) maintaining animal prep areas and assisting with seasonal tasks such as assigned. The position coordinates closely with their supervisor to ensure regular sanitization and cleaning of animal facilities in compliance with USDA regulations and assists with special animal care husbandry projects enclosure remodeling and supply purchasing.

The Park Naturalist III also assists with courtyard and Wildlife Garden maintenance including pond care plant maintenance feeder and birdbath cleaning and general upkeep of outdoor interpretive spaces. Facility responsibilities further include assisting with facility opening and closing procedures general grounds upkeep and building maintenance inventories of tools and equipment and maintaining organized animal care and program support areas.

Programming support is a core function of this position. The Park Naturalist III assists with on-site and off-site wildlife programs supports major Park District events and initiatives conducts smaller-scale programs and animal pop-ups and collaborates with staff to develop themed programming and interpretive experiences. The position supports wildlife education through the safe and appropriate use of program animals during educational programs events and outreach activities. Responsibilities may also include assisting with animal training projects to prepare new program animals as well as helping to oversee train and support interns seasonal staff and volunteers as assigned.

The Park Naturalist III frequently provides timely and accurate Park District information to the public through in-person interactions telephone inquiries electronic communication and written correspondence. All information must be delivered in a pleasant professional manner. The position often serves in a visitor-facing role welcoming and interacting with guests at facilities exhibits and off-site events.

Clerical and administrative duties are also required and include composing correspondence answering and directing telephone calls scheduling facilities staff volunteers and programs using the Park Districts computerized reservation system preparing reports and records animal care record keeping and maintaining accurate program safety and scheduling data. The position requires proficiency with office and programming equipment such as computers printers copiers audiovisual equipment two-way radios and other related tools. The Park Naturalist III will fully participate in the Park Districts computer network including email internet and occasional website content submission.

The Park Naturalist III participates in the Park Districts safety program and performs special projects and related duties as required or assigned.

ANNUAL SALARY/RATE OF PAY: $17.50 per hour

INTERNAL POSTING DATES: Monday April 20 through Tuesday April 28 2026. Interested applicants should apply online and submit a résumé by 4:30 p.m. on Friday May 1 2026

Education/Experience: Completion of secondary education (high school diploma or GED) and at least 2 years of college coursework in Natural Resources Biology Environmental Studies Environmental Interpretation Forestry or a related natural science field is required; a 4-year degree is preferred. An associates degree in a related field is acceptable. Previous work experience in these fields is preferred particularly experience developing and conducting recreational or educational programs or leading nature-based programming.

Language Skills: Ability to communicate daily with co-workers volunteers and the public professionally courteously and effectively through speech including in person on telephone and over two-way radio and in writing. Candidates should demonstrate strong presentation communication organizational and interpersonal skills with effective public speaking abilities highly desired. Experience in public relations customer service administrative support and event or staff scheduling is preferred along with the ability to work collaboratively with staff and respond professionally to public inquiries. Proficiency in basic computer applicationsincluding word processing spreadsheets email internet use and computer-generated presentations such as PowerPointis required. The use of English is essential.

Mathematical Skills: The mastery of basic mathematics including but not limited to ability to add subtract multiply and divide whole and fractional numbers and decimals; the ability to calculate percentages; and the ability to operate related mathematical equipment such as calculators and adding machines is essential.

Reasoning Ability: The ability to understand and carry out instructions with limited supervision; to coordi-nate several unique and variable concurrent requests involving staffing programming and facilities; ability to copy material accurately; recognize spelling punctuation and grammatical errors; maintain accurate records; gather collate and classify information; and answer routine inquiries from the public is essential.

Licensing/Registrations: The possession of a valid Ohio Drivers License; the ability to be insurable by the Park Districts insurance carrier; and the ability to conform to the driving standards policy as approved by the Board of Park Commissioners are mandatory. The possession or the ability to acquire certification of valid Standard First Aid and CPR certification within six months of the initiation of employment is necessary.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this position the employee is regularly required to sit for prolonged periods of time; and to stand walk talk and hear. The use of hands and fingers to key data use a computer and typewrite file paperwork feel and manipulate objects tools and equipment; and to reach with hands and arms etc. is essential. The employee is regularly required to climb stoop kneel crouch and balance. The employee regularly works with animals including direct handling of animals handling of food for animals and the cleaning and handling of soiled animal areas. Employees may also be required to use hand tools power tools and operate various types of power and non-power equipment. Employee must possess the ability to operate standard office equipment and to set up and maintain a file system.

Work Environment: While performing the regular duties of the position the employee will regularly work in an office environment as well as outside in a wide variety of weather conditions. Work noise level is usually moderate.

Additional Information: The employee must possess the ability to deal with the public in a courteous positive manner and to establish and maintain effective working relations with volunteers co-workers supervisors and the public. The ideal applicant is creative active and self-motivated with a strong commitment to the professional care and management of wildlife program ambassador animals and to educating the public about local wildlife. The position requires the ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment with staff and volunteers manage multiple tasks independently and adapt to changing priorities. The candidate must satisfactorily complete a background investigation. Lorain County Metropolitan Park District policy prohibits hiring new employees who are tobacco users.

The above Description represents the essential and most significant duties of this position. It is not intended to exclude other work duties assignments and responsibilities not mentioned herein.

Lorain County Metro Parks is an equal opportunity employer.