***This job opportunity is not in the classified service and is not covered by the West Virginia Division of Personnel merit system.***
Classified-Exempt Position
Parks and Recreation/Blackwater Falls State ParkUnder general supervision of the Blackwater Falls Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, employee in this position will serve as the park full-time Naturalist and Park Activities Coordinator. Occasional programming may be held (or conducted) at Fairfax Stone and Cathedral State Park locations. Employee will research, plan and conduct a variety of interpretive, educational, and recreational programs for visitors of all ages. Advertising will include utilizing tourism channels, local social media through the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB), newspapers, and the park foundation's Facebook page. Programs will interpret the natural and cultural history of the park with the goal to increase visitor understanding of park resources; increase visitor enjoyment of park resources; increase understanding of park mission and resource protection; and to inspire visitors towards stewardship of West Virginia State Parks.
Must maintain a positive attitude while working with large volumes of park guests on a daily basis and the ability to handle all guest requests/complaints in a professional manner reflecting a positive image of the park. Exceptional public speaking and customer service skills will be essential as they welcome and orient guests upon entering the facility. Programming will be offered both indoors and outdoors, on-site and off-site. Hire and train seasonal and summer Naturalists, as well as volunteers as needed. Hike trails to provide recommendations and assist the trail coordinator with trail-related needs as needed.
Examples of activities include guided hikes on all terrains, programs, and slideshow presentations that interpret local flora, fauna, and geologic features of the area, as well as research on local history. Activities for all ages and evening programming on weekends such as campfires, night hikes, firefly walks, birding hikes, pollinator programs, WV mammal skulls and pelt displays, crafts, tree identification, and educational games. Work is performed on high volume park visitation on weekends, holidays, and evenings. This includes conducting programs and informal interpretation in high volume areas such as Blackwater Falls boardwalk, Pendleton Point, etc. Employee will manage the nature center operations.
Promote youth engagement through scheduling and providing on site K-12 field trips to the park and scheduling programming at local schools during the off-season. This includes promoting Young People for Parks Programming (YPP)/Junior Naturalist programming for ages 6-16. Community engagement and networking examples include Master Naturalist Chapter, other federal/state agencies (e.g., National Park Service, WV DNR Wildlife, Department of Agriculture, US Fish & Wildlife, WV Forest Service), local schools, colleges, local community events, local park collaboration, CVB, tourism channels, libraries, senior centers, churches, Boys & Girls Club. The employee may serve as an off-site guest speaker or invite the community to the park. Collaborate with the park foundation for funding requests on projects. Coordinates special event planning year round to increase park attendance and revenue. Works with lodge managers, group services, and restaurant to create special events/packages to promote these events. Examples include dinner theaters, educational speakers, and holiday special events (e.g., New Year's Eve Celebration, Easter Egg Hunt, Halloween Trunk or Treat). Other educational programming examples include Wings of Wonder with Three Rivers Avian Center, Herps Alive, WV Wildflower Pilgrimage, Astronomy Weekend, and Geology Rocks.
Employee will care for wildlife exhibits, including maintaining habitats, cleaning tanks, scheduling veterinary appointments, and feeding animals year-round. Maintain and update nature center exhibits, interpretive signage and displays, and CampLife Sales Operation by ordering and stocking all gift shop items. Conduct cash and credit card transactions; schedule a year-round bi-weekly nature center schedule and promote it through appropriate channels; complete monthly attendance and written reports to superintendents.
Must be skilled in computers, google, google slides and is responsible for responding to emails in a professional and timely manner; provides written materials like brochures and interpretive texts for displays; research local history; conduct field surveys, and other duties as needed. Employee may be asked to acquire Certified Pool Operator certification to assist with the management of the indoor pool of Blackwater Lodge.
Follow directives of the Chief Naturalist on statewide programming goals including: meeting deadlines for bi-weekly nature center schedules for tourism website, attending bi-weekly Google Meets with the Naturalist division, participating in statewide programming and reporting, monthly and yearly written and program attendance reports, pictures of program with photo releases, continued education trainings, SMART goals and project goals, and attending specialty hikes and outreach events as needed. Employee will receive training on state purchasing procedures to obtain state purchasing card in order to procure needed supplies for programming and event planning. Employee is required to wear an assigned park uniform and must be licensed to operate a state vehicle for travel. Performs related duties as assigned. Regular attendance is required.
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Training:Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major or minor in botany, zoology, geology, natural history, recreation, park management, forestry, conservation, or natural science.Substitution: Experience as described below may substitute for the required training on a year-for-year basis.