Natural Scientist

Pay Range: $ 57,677 - $74,980 annual compensation

Job Posting Closing on: Monday, July 22, 2024

Workdays & Hours: The selected candidate will work 40 hours to include some weekends, holidays, and evening hours.

Benefits for this position include: 11 Paid Holidays, Medical, Dental, Vision, Paid Time Off, Pension Plan, Professional Development Opportunities, and much more.

The City of Fort Worth is one of the fastest growing large cities in the U.S. Our employees serve the needs of nearly 1,000,000 residents, promoting our values of exceptional customer experience, mutual respect, embracing our diversity, continuous improvement, ethical behavior, and accountability.

The Park & Recreation Department (PARD) maintains approximately 300 parks and public spaces citywide as well as provides recreational activities and educational programming that makes Fort Worth a great place to live, work and play. Within the 300 parks, there are many Natural Areas and conservation parks.

A Natural Scientist is job available with the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge (FWNC&R). The FWNC&R is a 3,650-acre refuge that is a part of the Park & Recreation Department (PARD). The Natural Scientist will be responsible for the following, but not limited to, all educational programs for all ages; both on land and in the water, recruiting/retaining volunteers, animal husbandry, maintaining exhibits, and providing exceptional customer care for visiting public. In addition to educational programs, this position will assist with projects with our land management team across the Refuge.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a natural or physical science, including biology, geology, botany, range management, environmental science, forestry, or a related field
• One (1) year of experience working in a natural science field providing group instruction
• Valid Texas Driver’s License
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• At least 1 year of experience working in a natural science field providing group instruction and/or developing programs for all age groups (Pre-School to Senior Adults),
• At least 1 year of experience recruiting and retaining volunteers and/or working with volunteer groups,
• Experience paddling canoes and kayaks properly while providing an educational experience. Maintaining paddling equipment and watercrafts,
• At least 1-year experience handling, caring for, and presenting wildlife ambassadors for educational purposes,
• Ability to identify native flora and fauna of the Cross Timbers and Prairies Ecoregion,
• First Aid/CPR certification & Defensive Driving within six (6) months of hire and maintain certification during the length of employment.
  
  

The Natural Scientist Job Responsibilities Include

• Develop and implement educational and recreational programs centering on natural history topics for groups including public and private schools, educator workshops, summer youth camps, public outreach programs, seminars, scout groups, home school groups, and nature-related organizations,
• Recruit, train, and retain volunteers for education programs, animal care, land management projects, and special events. Maintain data on volunteers and submit regular volunteer reports,
• Be proficient in paddling watercraft (canoes & kayaks) and conducting paddling tours for the public while maintaining all paddling equipment,
• Provide care and maintenance for captive education animals. Review animal care logs to ensure proper care has been provided,
• Maintain and develop positive customer service for visiting public
• Maintain and develop education exhibit displays seasonally
• Promote upcoming programs with social media and exhibits
• Submit articles for newsletters, social media posts, and manuals for facility operations
• Use Microsoft Suite and other desktop software programs to develop documents for educational purposes
• Assist in land management projects, tasks, surveys, and research,
• Perform facility opening and closing duties; patrols area to ensure safety procedures are followed
• Adhere to the assigned work schedule as outlined in the Department and City attendance policies and procedures; ensures all behaviors comply with the City’s Personnel Rules and Regulations.
  
  

Working Conditions

Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically require touching, talking, hearing, seeing, grasping, standing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, walking, repetitive motions, climbing, balancing, pushing, pulling and lifting

Physical Demand

Medium work – Depending on assignment, positions in this class typically exert up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 20 pounds of force constantly having to move objects

Conditions of Employment

The City of Fort Worth is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of the City to recruit, hire, train and promote a diverse workforce without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or another non-merit factor.

The City of Fort Worth is committed to full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process and to perform essential job functions.

Candidates who do not meet the Education requirement, may be considered if they have more relevant work experience than the position requires. Those selected for employment will be required to pass Pre-Employment checks depending on the position requirements. Those could include, but are not limited to: criminal background check, drug screen, education verification, etc. criminal convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Employees are paid by direct deposit only.