Job Summary

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) provides outdoor recreation activities and manages Minnesota's natural resources to create economic opportunity and a sustainable quality of life. We are driven to find talented, innovative employees to help us carry out this mission.

This posting will be used to fill up to 22 internships in the following State Park locations: Afton, Bear Head Lake/LVSUM, Buffalo River, Forestville/Mystery Cave, Fort Snelling, Gooseberry Falls, Interstate, Itasca, Jay Cooke, Lake Bemidji, Lake Carlos, Mille Lacs Kathio, Sibley, Tettegouche, Whitewater, and Wild River.

Naturalist Corps interns interpret the natural and cultural features of state parks and trails in order to enhance visitors' awareness, understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of those resources. Under the mentorship of a park naturalist, Naturalist Corps interns provide public programs, answer visitor questions, and complete other projects as assigned.

Work hours vary, but will include afternoons/evenings, weekends, and holidays. Summer 3.5 month positions are from early to mid-May through Labor Day. This schedule is flexible and varies according to school year and state park. Housing is only provided at the following locations: Itasca and Tettegouche. For more state park information, visit the DNR website.

Selected applicants will be REQUIRED to attend a mandatory 3-day training held May 24, 2022 through May 26, 2022 at Lake Carlos State Park. This statewide naturalist training is held BEFORE the regular 3.5 month summer position begins. Uniforms are provided.

Responsibilities include:

• Present and lead programs and activities to a variety of audiences ranging from children to adults (about 85% of the job involves public speaking to large and small groups of visitors). These programs may include nature walks, campfire talks, demonstrations, PowerPoint presentations, and make and take activities that relate to the park's natural, cultural, historical, and/or recreational resources.

• Conduct roving interpretation in high-use areas of the park. This may include developing a short interpretive talk on one of the natural, cultural, or recreational resources that also features appropriate props or quick hands-on activities for the visitors to do.

• Staff the park's visitor center and answer questions received from the public. Read prepared materials and become familiar with the park's points of interest, facilities, and trails in order to provide the public with accurate park information. Keep brochures available for the public and maintain exhibits in a clean and orderly manner.

• Assist park staff in conducting resource management activities such as invasive species control, plant and animal inventories and research, and seed harvesting.

• Complete special projects and training as assigned. This may include projects that relate to cultural or natural resource research, park operations, or regional or statewide interpretive projects or training activities.

The Naturalist Corps positions at Mille Lacs Kathio and Sibley state parks will perform the following MinnAqua duties 50% of their scheduled hours:

• Lead fishing programs, which includes handling live fish and bait.

• Teach fishing skills, fish identification, aquatic ecology, fisheries management, and water stewardship to a variety of audiences.

Minimum Qualifications

To be eligible for an internship, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be a student at an accredited educational institution; AND

• Your advisor must certify that you will either receive academic credit or fulfill an academic requirement. The signature of a sponsoring academic instructor is required prior to beginning an internship.

AND

• Must be a permanent resident of Minnesota.

• Must have completed at least one year of post-secondary education in a natural resource related field (i.e. biology, botany, fish and wildlife, forestry, Minnesota natural or cultural history, environmental studies, natural resources management, environmental/outdoor education).

• Excellent human relation and communication skills sufficient to represent the position and Division in a professional, efficient, and clear manner.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in public speaking or communications.

• Volunteer work or employment in education, interpretation, or environmental education. 

• Experience related to aquatic resources such as aquatic biology, fisheries, etc.

• Experience working with diverse audiences including families, youth, young children, senior citizens, and adults with various physical and learning abilities and ethnic backgrounds.