Current Position: Chief of Interpretation
How long have you been with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and in what capacity?
7 years as a seasonal Interpretive Naturalist
7 years as a Historic Rehabilitation Specialist
1 year as Chief of Interpretation
How did you become involved in working in the park system?
I have been actively involved with the field of interpretation for over 15 years, always working part time. I also have held both regional and national board positions with the National Association for Interpretation, our professional organization. Through this involvement I have stayed connected to many interpreters even though I was only officially employed part time.
When the full time position of Chief of Interpretation opened up, I applied. The opportunity to help the field on a full time basis and work for the wonderful interpreters we have in Indiana was what helped me decide to apply for the position.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
Primary responsibilities: To provide support, training opportunities, and oversight to the interpreters at Indiana State Parks and Reservoirs. To help recruit new people to the field and to fill both full time and part time positions as they become open. To visit properties and view programs, and work with property managers to be sure the interpretive staff is giving the best programs possible.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
45–65 hours per week.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
Visiting the properties, talking with the interpretive staff, observing their programming, attending their special events, providing training opportunities.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Time management, emails (!), keeping up with the work load, and travel away from home and/or office.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
At least a Bachelor's degree in related field: interpretation, environmental education, wildlife biology, forestry, etc.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
It would have been helpful if I had been a full time interpreter in the field before taking on the full time position in management, however, not essential.
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
Developing a new patch program for visitors to earn patches and other incentives, developing new interpretive wayside signs for all properties, maintaining and improving the annual interpretive training session given each spring.
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
Obtain a college degree in interpretation or related field, accept part time work if full time is not available, learn, be open to new ideas, and practice the art of interpretation to the best of their ability. Hone their skills and continue to seek full time work.
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