Fall Term QT AmeriCorps Naturalist

As a Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Naturalist, you are part of a statewide service network that brings environmentally conscious and educational experiences to Iowa youth! AmeriCorps Naturalists will aid Polk County Conservation Naturalists with the facilitation of youth programming, behavior management of youth, and inspiring a positive association with the outdoors. Applicants will utilize research-based curricula in STEM, outdoor recreation, environmental education, and outdoor living skills. No matter your area of passion or background, you will be a part of a positively impactful service program that works with Polk County residents to provide hands-on learning experiences that connect community members to their natural world. You will provide interactive programming throughout the Polk County Conservation parks system and interact with local communities on a regular basis.  

One Quarter-Time Naturalist will serve with Polk County Conservation as part of the Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Program. AmeriCorps members develop skills that build a strong, leadership-packed résumé; earn a living stipend ($6,270) paid equally over the course of 450 hours of service; and receive a Segal Education Award ($1,956.35) upon successful completion to pay for higher education or qualified federal student loans. This position is a Quarter-Time term. The member will serve a minimum of 450 hours over 13 weeks, serving approximately 38 hours per week.  

This posting is not a direct position of Polk County Conservation, and successful applicants will not be employees of Polk County. Successful applicants will not be subject to terms and conditions of Polk County employment and will not be eligible for any employee benefits provided by Polk County. However, these positions will be serving with Polk County Conservation, a host site of the Polk County Conservation AmeriCorps Program, and will be subject to AmeriCorps rules, benefits, and requirements. 

Member Schedule 

A typical weekly schedule will run from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday 

A 30-minute meal break will be given to the members each service day; these 30-minutes cannot be counted towards the required 450 service hours 

Every service day will include two 15-minute breaks; additional breaks must be taken if the temperature is above 85 degrees 

 * Members must not serve any hours on the major federal holidays – New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.  This includes checking emails, self-directed training, or teleservice.  If the Host Site is open on one of these holidays and members are expected to serve, the site supervisor should work with Program to gain approval for this member service prior to the holiday.  For any of the other federal holidays, including MLK Day, Presidents Day, Juneteenth, Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and Veterans Day, Host Sites will communicate expectations of member service in advance.  If the Host Site is closed on one of more of those lesser holidays (including the day after Thanksgiving or Christmas eve) or the Host Site recognizes other workdays when major federal holidays fall on weekend days, members should not check their email, complete timesheets, or do teleservice on those days either unless they follow the procedure above. Sick or personal leave, and holidays is allowed, but such time off does not count towards the required number of hours needed to successfully complete the term of service. There are additional benefits offered if the member has a compelling personal circumstance.    

The Quarter-Time Naturalist will undergo two weeks of comprehensive training completed at the Jester Park Nature Center. The member will become competent in the facilitation of the following outdoor living skills: archery, riflery, atlatl, axe throwing, slingshots, canoeing and kayaking, shelter building, fire building, fishing, geocaching, and map reading. The member will become familiar with the basics of environmental interpretation, behavior management, mental health first aid, basics of common Iowa flora and fauna identification, basics of environmental education programming, and the handling of animal ambassadors and common Iowa fauna.  

Additional training will occur throughout the service term from Naturalist mentors to assist the member’s development of necessary skills required for the development of education programs and improve the member’s ability to communicate environmental information to a wide range of ages.  

Essential Functions: 

Facilitate audience-appropriate environmental education and outdoor recreational programs for youth groups and childcare services  

Educational programs and activities are related to natural resource management, conservation, ecology, recreation, cultural heritage, and other environmental topics 

Each member will be assigned a full-time naturalist as their mentor to help with presentation skills and environmental interpretation during their service term  

Programs are typically one-hour in length and will take place at Polk County Conservation parks 

Maintain accurate program data 

Program data, such as attendance number, presentation type/theme, and duration of program, will be recorded in a Google document after each program has concluded 

Training will be provided verbally and in the Environmental Education SOP 

Engage in conversation and activities with visitors at the Jester Park Nature Center providing interpretation of the Nature Center’s displays, trails, and amenities 

Members will receive training on visitor engagement during the onboarding process.  

 
Non-Essential Functions: 

Engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and skills related to the natural resources job field 

Train with full-time staff at Jester Park Nature Center on animal husbandry of live animal ambassadors 

Members will utilize an established care in captivity SOP developed by full-time staff  

Members will participate in data collection of animal ambassadors through diet provided, weight of animal, animal health, and well-being assessments 

Members may engage in other allowable activities that are not specifically outlined in the position description but that support the AmeriCorps program design and that will help the Program meet its goals. Under no circumstances will members be asked to perform prohibited activities. 
 

Eligibility Requirements: 

Must be familiar with Iowa natural resources 

Certify that they have or will obtain a diploma/GED prior to start of service term 

Candidate must be 17 years of age or older prior to the start of service term 

Pass a national service criminal history check prior to first day of service 

Hold one of the following citizenship statuses: US citizen, US national, or Lawful Permanent Resident 

Must have a valid driver’s license and possess previous driving experience: 

Candidate must be comfortable with driving on all road types (gravel, highways, rural, and city roads) 

Candidate must be comfortable driving in any environmental conditions (daytime, nighttime, rain, fog, sleet, ice, and snow) 

Candidate must be willing to drive to any location within Polk County, Iowa 

Candidate must pass a motor vehicle record check before they can operate any county vehicle 

Candidates with limited driving experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis 

Desired Skills/Qualifications: 

Knowledge of modern trends in conservation and environmental education practices 

Familiarity of the principles and practices of conservation, ecology, interpretation, and Iowa’s natural heritage 

Comfortability with public speaking  

Previous experience teaching outdoor skills activities and/or participation in outdoor skills activities 

Ability to learn department online software programs related to audiovisual technology, such as PowerPoint, Google Slides, YouTube, etc.  

Ability to read, write, edit, and communicate effectively in a variety of methods, including public speaking and program delivery 

Ability to work independently and demonstrate a good and consistent work ethic  

Ability to adapt in a dynamic work setting 

Ability to frequently lift to 30 pounds 

Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions as well as walking or standing for prolonged periods of time 

Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with supervisors, other County employees, volunteers, and the public using courtesy, patience, and tact 

Comfortable handling live animals, such as, snakes, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, insects, and arachnids  
 

Benefits: 

Education Award received upon successful completion of their service term 

Living Allowance 

Childcare coverage if the member qualifies 

Student loan forbearance and interest payments for eligible federal loans 

Certification in CPR/AED and first aid 

Housing opportunities provided by Polk County Conservation upon request 

Training in essential environmental education skills and knowledge of Iowa’s flora and fauna 

Increased knowledge of conservation and restoration practices utilized by Polk County Conservation 

Connecting with a variety of Polk County staff throughout service  

Performance Evaluation & Reporting Requirements: 

Member Performance Evaluation requirements during the term 

Regular bi-weekly submission of member timesheets 

Regular bi-weekly upkeep of member service activities 

Monthly progress reports submitted to AmeriCorps Program Coordinator