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Naturalist Intern

Missouri Dept of Conservation
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Description: 

Requisition Id: 3635 

Hourly Pay Rate: $19.45

Hourly Pay Grade: H6 

Expected Work Schedule:

Job Location:  Northeast Regional Office (KIRKS1) 

Closing Date: January 31, 2025

Our Culture: The Missouri Department of Conservation supports a culture of trusted professionals that is dedicated to our mission, responsible stewards, and believe in One MDC. 

To learn more about this exciting opportunity, please email the hiring supervisor, ​Lauren S Baker , at Lauren.Baker@mdc.mo.gov or call 314 3011506x4222 , Monday through Friday 8am - 5pm.

Summary/Objective

At the undergraduate level the emphasis is on recruitment, career exploration, and introducing top performing students to MDC.  Pursuing a degree in Biological Sciences, Conservation, Forestry, Fisheries, Environmental Education, Environmental Studies, or closely related subjects is preferred. A background and/or interest in biology and natural resources is also desirable.

Essential Job Duties

  • The intern and mentor will meet to discuss goals and objectives of the internship experience and solidify the schedule when the internship begins. The intern will be responsible to a variety of MDC staff throughout the St. Louis Region for completion of those tasks. Those staff members and the intern will keep the mentor updated on the intern's performance.
  • The intern will become familiar with Department programs and other materials that will equip the intern with an understanding of offerings and facilities.
  • The mentor and other staff will take the intern to conservation areas within the region. These will include August A. Busch Conservation Area, Rockwoods Reservation, Columbia Bottom Conservation Area, and Jay Henges Shooting Range and Outdoor Education Center.
  • The intern will assist naturalists as assigned (most of the internship period will be spent with the naturalists in hands-on program experiences). The intern will plan, schedule, and implement at least one interpretive program. The intern will be a part of the interpretive program which will include program set-up, implementation, and evaluation. The interpretive naturalist intern will assist with planning and conducting interpretive programs for schools, Scouts, civic groups, and general audiences on conservation and natural history subjects. The intern will assist with exhibits around the nature center and assist with the care of live reptiles, amphibians, spiders, and fish. The intern will answer natural history and urban wildlife questions from the general public, provide general customer service at the front desk and gift shop, and perform other duties as required.
  • The intern will spend time shadowing the following as time allows: urban forester, fisheries biologist, conservation educator, urban wildlife biologist, scientist, conservation agent, and/or other areas that are of interest to the intern.

Ancillary Job Duties

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience

  • Must maintain a current, valid driver's license.
  • Cumulative GPA of 2.8 or higher on 4.0 scale is desirable.
  • Preference will be given to students who have completed at least 45 credit hours.
  • Undergraduate student at an accredited university/college in good standing. Students who will be graduating before the internship begins are not eligible.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Ability to develop and sustain cooperative working relationships.
  • Ability to work outside in adverse weather conditions and perform tasks requiring strenuous physical activity. Sit for long periods of time.
  • Move about grounds, both inside and outside of buildings.
  • Demonstrate regular and predictable attendance.
  • Ability to keep accurate records of supplies and services.
  • Ability to keep detailed and accurate records.

Work Environment

  • Work is typically performed in a standard office environment; occasionally required to work in outdoor environments.
  • May be exposed to loud noises which may require the use of hearing protection.
  • Ability to travel within Missouri and stay overnight frequently during the summer.

Physical Abilities

  • Ability to bend and twist in use of force situations
  • Ability to regularly lift 5 pounds, correctly lift up to 25 pounds.
  • Constantly operate a computer and other office machinery.
  • Work Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays as needed.
  • Ability to navigate in a variety of environments including woodlands, steep terrain, wetlands, caves, and uneven terrain
  • Clarity of vision and ability to distinguish colors.

Disclaimer

This position has been determined to be non-exempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Interns must agree to accept compensatory time off in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department’s Compensatory Time Off and Overtime policy.

 

Smoking is prohibited in all owned, rented, or leased Department of Conservation offices, buildings, and similar facilities, in Department aircraft, and in vehicles.

 

The Department of Conservation will hire only United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States.  All new interns will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

 

Candidates must submit to a drug screen following offer of internship.

 

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.

Exemption Status/Special Notes

This position has been determined to be Nonexempt according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.  Employees must agree to accept compensatory time in lieu of cash payments in accordance with the Department's Compensatory Time Off and Overtime Policy. 

Salaried and hourly employees are expected to use a mobile device-cellular phone for Department business, as needed. 

MDC promotes a Tobacco-Free (smoke and smokeless) working environment.

The Department of Conservation will only hire United States citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States.  All new employees will be required to complete an "Employment Eligibility Verification" (Form I-9) and produce requested documentation after employment.

Candidates seeking initial employment or re-employment must submit to a drug screen following offer of employment.

All persons employed with the state of Missouri shall file all state income tax forms and pay all state income taxes owed.