Current Position: Interpretive Resource Specialist III, although I prefer to use the working title of Park Naturalist. Park Naturalist was the official title until positions were reclassified in 2001.
How long have you been with Missouri State Parks and in what capacity?
I have worked for the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks for 21 years. First, as a Tour Guide at Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. Then as a Tourist Assistant (later reclassified as Park Naturalist) at Prairie State Park for
3 1/2 years. For the past 16 years, I have served as the Park Naturalist at Rock Bridge Memorial State Park near Columbia, MO.
How did you become involved in working as a Park Naturalist?
I grew up enjoying adventures on my family’s farm and at nearby creeks, so I had a love of nature. In 8th grade, I wrote a paper about wanting to become a "park ranger." In college, I worked toward a degree in Forest Management but was not interested in the timber management aspect. I had considered switching my major to education, but did not. Then, during my Junior year, I took some elective courses in the Parks & Recreation Department. During the "Interpretation" class, a light bulb went off. The "Ah-ha" moment came when I realized that I could combine my love for nature with education in an outdoor setting. Also, I wanted more than a job – I wanted a cause to work toward that was meaningful. I found that in park naturalist work that has two main aspects: 1) protecting nature through resource management and 2) interpretation.
To me, interpretation has two main purposes: 1) simply to serve people, and to help them enjoy an experience in nature and learn about it. 2) what is summed up in this definition of interpretation: "Through interpretation, understanding; through understanding, appreciation; through appreciation, protection."
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.)
No typical day. Primary duties are:
1) Provide and oversee interpretive services at the park. Develop and present a variety of programs. These range from Connor’s Cave tours for groups of children to bat viewing programs for families to daylong Wild Cave Tours for adults. Topics vary and include spring wildflowers, stream programs and history programs. It includes detailed planning, coordination and development and organization of interpretive supplies. Writing interpretive text for displays. Training and supervising staff and volunteers.
2) Resource management, which includes: a) direct management through prescribed fire and removal of invasive species; b) monitoring species of conservation concern; and c) coordinating with others in watershed protection efforts involving EPA grants, etc.
3) Administrative tasks and assistance with park operations. Writing plans, maintaining records and writing reports. Answering phone, taking reservations, providing general information and assisting occasionally with park management and maintenance.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
40.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I feel a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when: 1) interaction during programs indicates that people really appreciated the experience and/or information; and 2) something tangible has been done to benefit natural resources. I also enjoy the variety of duties. Some duties change with the seasons, so that gives me a break for a while from a particular task. This park also has a variety of resources that makes my work more interesting.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
There is close coordination among staff members, making good communication essential. That can be challenging even among people used to working with each other. It’s more difficult because with 3 people covering 7 days a week, we often work without the opportunity to confer with one another at the time a decision is needed. Other challenges include limitations on what you can control or accomplish. Like, I can’t do much to control the water quality that enters the cave from private land. Requests that come up take my attention away from tasks I had planned to work on. Lack of time sometimes means that I have to postpone doing something that needs to be done. It took me a few years before I felt like I knew the park pretty well. Patience is needed.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
Education and experience requirements are: 1) graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in environmental, biological or natural sciences, natural resources, resource management, history, anthropology, archaeology, parks and outdoor recreation or a closely related field; and 2) three years experience.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
More course work in biology and zoology would have been helpful (my degree was in forestry).
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