Life As a Park Naturalist
Park Naturalist Example Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.
Life as a Park Naturalist: What Do They Do?
- Prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.
- Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
- Interview specialists in desired fields to obtain and develop data for park information programs.
- Survey park to determine forest conditions and distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.
- Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
- Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
What a Park Naturalist Should Know
These are the skills Park Naturalists say are the most useful in their careers:
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Types of Park Naturalists
- Park Ranger
- Park Worker
- Program Production Specialist
- Parks and Recreation Manager
- Park Naturalist
Are There Job Opportunities for Park Naturalists?
There were about 22,300 jobs for Conservation Scientists in 2016 (in the United States).
New jobs are being produced at a rate of 6.3% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,400 new jobs for Park Naturalists by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 2,000 job openings in this field each year.
The states with the most job growth for Conservation Scientists are Colorado, Texas, and California.
Watch out if you plan on working in Rhode Island, New Mexico, or Maryland. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Park Naturalist
The typical yearly salary for Conservation Scientists is somewhere between $34,020 and $98,450. A Park Naturalist median salary is $61,310.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
|
Alaska |
$93,390 |
|
Connecticut |
$87,710 |
|
New Jersey |
$85,360 |
|
Maryland |
$79,070 |
|
Oregon |
$76,790 |
|
California |
$75,980 |
|
Virginia |
$75,370 |
|
Minnesota |
$72,650 |
|
Massachusetts |
$72,200 |
|
New Hampshire |
$72,160 |
|
Arizona |
$71,190 |
|
Wyoming |
$71,180 |
|
Colorado |
$71,170 |
|
Arkansas |
$70,630 |
|
Georgia |
$69,390 |
|
Kansas |
$68,910 |
|
New Mexico |
$68,710 |
|
Tennessee |
$68,440 |
|
Hawaii |
$68,360 |
|
Kentucky |
$67,440 |
|
Idaho |
$66,510 |
|
Wisconsin |
$65,610 |
|
Nebraska |
$65,300 |
|
Washington |
$65,120 |
|
North Dakota |
$64,900 |
|
Montana |
$64,480 |
|
Oklahoma |
$64,330 |
|
Illinois |
$63,840 |
|
Utah |
$63,720 |
|
Michigan |
$63,460 |
|
Indiana |
$63,320 |
|
South Dakota |
$62,390 |
|
Maine |
$61,970 |
|
North Carolina |
$61,780 |
|
Nevada |
$61,670 |
|
Louisiana |
$61,430 |
|
Alabama |
$59,310 |
|
Texas |
$57,990 |
|
Missouri |
$57,580 |
|
Iowa |
$56,820 |
|
South Carolina |
$56,220 |
|
Ohio |
$55,550 |
|
Delaware |
$55,300 |
|
Pennsylvania |
$55,200 |
|
Vermont |
$55,150 |
|
Mississippi |
$54,870 |
|
West Virginia |
$50,210 |
|
Florida |
$40,620 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Park Naturalists
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Park Naturalists may use on a daily basis:
- Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
- Data entry software
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Office
How do I Become a Park Naturalist?
What education is needed to be a Park Naturalist?
How Long Does it Take to Become Park Naturalist?
Where Park Naturalists Work
References
Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons
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