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Interpretive Naturalist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NOVA Parks

Naturalist

Alexandria, VA

$15.75/hr

Naturalists perform interpretive duties, work with volunteers, and lead related program work at Winkler Botanical Preserve. Pay Rate: $15.75 per hour Major Duties/Specific Tasks * Lead the ...

New

Hamilton County Indiana

Naturalist

Noblesville, IN · On-site

$29.58/hr

Naturalist DEPARTMENT: Parks and Recreation WORK SCHEDULE: 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., 5 days a week as ... Conduct live animal interpretive programs. Oversees maintenance of interior and exterior appearance ...

NOVA Parks

Naturalist

Alexandria, VA

Naturalists perform interpretive duties, work with volunteers, and lead related program work at Winkler Botanical Preserve. Pay Rate: $15.75 per hour Major Duties/Specific Tasks * Lead the ...

New

Hamilton County Indiana

Naturalist

Noblesville, IN · On-site

$29.58/hr

Naturalist DEPARTMENT:Parks and Recreation WORK SCHEDULE:9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., 5 days a week as ... Conduct live animal interpretive programs. Oversees maintenance of interior and exterior appearance ...

State of Indiana

Naturalist

Marshall, IN · On-site

$42K/yr

Manage a nature center and/or other interpretive facility which includes hiring and training seasonal naturalist aides and support staff. * Conduct research, develop inventory, and coordinate active ...

State of Indiana

Naturalist

Marshall, IN · On-site

$42K/yr

Manage a nature center and/or other interpretive facility which includes hiring and training seasonal naturalist aides and support staff. * Conduct research, develop inventory, and coordinate active ...

City of Rockville

Naturalist

Rockville, MD

$18 - $24/hr

Job Summary Croydon Creek Nature Center is seeking an enthusiastic and engaging Naturalist to join ... Experience Experience developing and leading environmental education, interpretive or outdoor ...

City of Rockville, MD

Naturalist

Rockville, MD · On-site

$18 - $24/hr

... engaging Naturalist to join our education team. The ideal candidate has knowledge of Maryland ... Experience developing and leading environmental education, interpretive or outdoor recreation ...

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How much do interpretive naturalist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for interpretive naturalist in the United States is $16.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.90 and $18.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an interpretive naturalist do?

A typical day for an Interpretive Naturalist involves leading educational programs such as guided hikes, nature walks, or presentations for visitors of all ages. You may spend time designing interpretive materials, developing outreach activities, and maintaining trails or exhibits. Collaboration with park staff, volunteers, and local organizations is common to ensure a positive visitor experience and accurate information delivery. Depending on the season and work setting, your activities may vary between outdoor fieldwork and indoor program planning or research. This dynamic role offers the opportunity to inspire public appreciation for nature while continually learning about the environment.

What is an interpretive naturalist?

An Interpretive Naturalist is a professional who educates the public about nature, wildlife, and environmental conservation. They create and lead programs, hikes, and presentations to help people connect with the natural world. Their work often takes place in parks, nature centers, or museums, where they develop interpretive materials and facilitate hands-on learning experiences. The goal is to inspire appreciation for the environment and promote stewardship of natural resources.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an interpretive naturalist?

To thrive as an Interpretive Naturalist, you need a solid background in ecology, environmental education, and natural sciences, often supported by a relevant degree or coursework in biology, environmental science, or a related field. Familiarity with tools such as GPS units, field guides, and interpretive planning software, as well as certifications like Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG), is valuable. Excellent communication, public speaking, and interpersonal skills help you engage diverse audiences and collaborate with colleagues. These abilities are crucial for effectively conveying natural and cultural heritage information to visitors and fostering stewardship of natural resources.

More about Interpretive Naturalist jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Interpretive Naturalist jobs? The most popular types of Interpretive Naturalist jobs are:
What states have the most Interpretive Naturalist jobs? States with the most job openings for Interpretive Naturalist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Interpretive Naturalist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Interpretive Naturalist jobs are:
Interpretive Naturalist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Interpretive Naturalist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 37% Full Time, 60% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,279 per year, or $16.5 per hour.

Interpretive Naturalist

Naperville Park District

Naperville, IL • On-site

$19/hr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago

Naperville Park District rating

9.4

Company rating: 9.4 out of 10

Based on 5 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 842 rated public administrative organizations

Job description

Overview:Under the direct supervision of the Nature Center Manager, the Interpretive Naturalist assists with the operation of the Knoch Knolls Nature Center and the system wide delivery of the District's environmental programming.Essential Duties and Responsibilities:Provide an exceptional customer service experience and promote District services and facilities by assisting customers on the phone and in person.Successfully process point of sale items. Successfully balance receipts, reconcile transactions, and prepare weekend bank deposits.Ensure confidential use of customer information, including credit card transactions.Develop and evaluate environmental education curriculum, prepare materials and supplies, instruct youth, camp, school, scout, and adult programs, and plan and support special events. Lead interpretive programs and create exhibits at the Knoch Knolls Nature Center and other District facilities.Communicate effectively with participants, guardians, and staff regarding rule infractions, questions, or concerns.Provide care for live animals including feeding and tank cleaning.Work closely with related staff to achieve the goals and objectives of the environmental education programs.Build and maintain working relationships with the Conservation Foundation, forest preserve districts, schools, and other community groups.Maintain and organize inventory of program equipment and supplies. Report inventory in need of replacement to the Nature Center Manager.Maintain on-going open communication and notify the supervisor of situations regarding the operation of the program such as broken equipment, equipment shortages, and facility damage.Record and communicate any difficult situations or behaviors to the Nature Center Manager.Provide guidance and direction to Nature Center Assistant and/or volunteers assisting with projects or programs.Monitor weather conditions before, during, and after programs to ensure the safety of participants and staff.Other Duties and Responsibilities:Respond to all customer comments and inquiries in a timely fashion.Work in conjunction with staff to complete referrals to WDSRA and work with WDSRA staff to develop program plans for participants with special needs.Ensure that program areas are left neat and clean after each use and that materials and equipment are returned.Seek, interpret, and act upon input from residents and the public.Distribute written communication as necessary or requested.Other duties as assigned.Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Working knowledge and experience pertaining to wildlife, natural history, and local flora and fauna.Ability to create innovative nature programs for audiences of all ages.Ability to share natural and cultural history information in a relevant manner with an audience or individual.Demonstrated ability to care for live animals and comfortable with live animals, including snakes, turtles, fish, salamanders and insects.Ability to work independently in day-to-day operations with general direction from supervisor. Ability to display professionalism with patrons.Ability to address complaints and resolve concerns.Working knowledge of basic computer software including Microsoft platform. Education and Experience:Bachelor's degree in Interpretation, Environmental Education, Natural Sciences, or related field.Minimum three (3) years of experience developing and presenting environmental education or nature programming, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.Possession of, or ability to obtain, First Aid, CPR, and AED certification within two (2) months of hire.Special Considerations:Must be at least 18 years old.Subject to office and outside environmental conditions.Subject to modified/flexible work schedules including weekends and evenings.Ability to lift, carry, and/or move objects weighing ≤ 30 lbs. on a weekly basis. Lifting assistance is required when lifting > 30 lbs. Regular onsite attendance is an essential function of this position. Benefitshttps://npd.sharefile.com/public/share/web-s751fcade1b1746168ccfaafaf8bf98bd Hiring Rate: $19.00/hr To be considered for this position, interested individuals must complete the online application accessible atwww.napervilleparks.org/employment. Materials submitted through mail, email, or fax will not be considered

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