What Do Park Naturalists Do (including Their Typical Day At Work)

Job Description

Park Naturalists plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park. They also conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.

Other tasks include:

• Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
• Plan and organize public events at the park.
• Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
• Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
• Research stories regarding the area’s natural history or environment.
• Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.

We asked Park Naturalists how satisfied they are with their job. Here is what they said.

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69% of them said they were satisfied with their job and 65% said they find that their job makes the world a better place or helps to make someone else’s life better.

Typical Day At Work

On a daily basis, Park Naturalists provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas. They research stories regarding the area’s natural history or environment.

A typical day for a Park Naturalist will also include:

• Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
• Perform routine maintenance on park structures.
• Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
• Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
• Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.

We asked some Park Naturalists a few questions to find out what else does their work day look like. Here is what we found.

	Do you have telephone conversations everyday in this job?	73% said yes
	How important is it to work in a team in this job?	45% said very important
	Do you have group discussions everyday in this job?	81% said yes
	Do you talk or work with customers everyday in this job?	36% said yes
	Do you have to deal with angry customers everyday in this job?	8% said yes
	Do you have to make decisions everyday in this job?	38% said yes

Other responsibilities

Besides their typical day, Park Naturalists also conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions. They may also prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.

On a weekly to monthly basis, Park Naturalists Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files. They might also Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.

In addition, they Research stories regarding the area’s natural history or environment.

Although specific duties may vary, many of them Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.

To some Park Naturalists, it is also their responsibility to Plan and develop audio-visual devices for public programs.

Working life

Standard 40 hour work week

Regular schedule like a 9 to 5

In a typical work week as a Park Naturalist, you can expect to work 40 hour work week.

Is this right for me

People who are suitable for this job tends to like working with, communicating with, and teaching people. They like helping or providing service to others..

They also like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.

You can read more about these career personality types here.

Explore other careers

http://www.bls.gov/OOH/life-physical-and-social-science/conservation-scientists.htm

http://www.safnet.org/

http://www.forestguild.org/

http://www.fs.fed.us/