Occupation

Park Naturalists

Human Advantage 74%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.4 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

Also Known As: Camp Ranger, Environmental Education Specialist, Environmental Educator, Interpretation Park Ranger, Interpretive Naturalist, National Park Ranger, Natural Resource Educator, Naturalist +12 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
  2. Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.
  3. Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
  4. Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
  5. Plan and organize public events at the park.
  6. Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
  7. Plan, organize and direct activities of seasonal staff members.
  8. Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
  9. Train staff on park programs.
  10. Develop environmental educational programs and curricula for schools.
  11. Construct historical, scientific, and nature visitor-center displays.
  12. Research stories regarding the area's natural history or environment.
  13. Prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.
  14. Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files.
  15. Take photographs and motion pictures for use in lectures and publications and to develop displays.
  16. Plan and develop audio-visual devices for public programs.
  17. Perform routine maintenance on park structures.

Supplemental Tasks (3)

  1. Provide care for park program animals.
  2. Interview specialists in desired fields to obtain and develop data for park information programs.
  3. Survey park to determine forest conditions and distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.

Emerging Tasks

New and evolving responsibilities for this role:

  • Train staff and volunteers on park programs.

Education & Training

Job Zone 4 Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Experience: A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Bachelor's Degree
50%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
26%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
11%
Master's Degree
10%
Some College Courses
2%
Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
1%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Facebook
  • Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (15)

  • Adobe PageMaker
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  • Mapping software
  • MicroFocus GroupWise
  • Point of sale POS software
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  • Word processing software

Tools & Equipment (59)

  • All-terrain vehicles ATV
  • Animal trapping equipment
  • Augers
  • Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Backpack tanks
  • Boat trailers
  • Brush cutters
  • Canoes
  • Chainsaws
  • Claw hammers
  • Computer laser printers
  • Digital still cameras
  • Digital video cameras
  • Drip torches
  • Dump trucks
  • Electronic cash registers
  • Emergency medical first aid kits
  • Fire rakes
  • Fire swatters
  • Fishing poles
  • Forest fire shovels
  • Four wheel drive 4WD vehicles
  • Global positioning system GPS devices
  • Hand pruners
  • Hand rakes
  • High-pressure pumper units
  • Horse bridles
  • Horse reins
  • Horse saddles
  • Horse trailers
  • Kayaks
  • Law enforcement handguns
  • Leaf blowers
  • Light pickup trucks
  • Line trimmers
  • Mobile radios
  • Mountain bikes
  • Multiline telephone systems
  • Multipurpose pliers
  • Multipurpose shovels
  • Multipurpose tractors
  • Passenger vans
  • Patrol motorboats
  • Personal computers
  • Phillips screwdrivers
  • Point of sale POS computer terminals
  • Pontoon boats
  • Power mowers
  • Snow skis
  • Straight screwdrivers
  • Surveillance binoculars
  • Survey levels
  • Survey transits
  • Tanker trucks
  • Utility knives
  • Water testing kits
  • Weed sprayers
  • Wood chippers
  • Work vans

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

Conservation & Land Management Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Park Naturalists You are here

Ecological Research & Development Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Park Naturalists You are here

Local, State, & Federal Services Advanced Manufacturing

Zone 4
Park Naturalists You are here
Zone 5
Archivists 79% match

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Real Talk

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