Park Naturalist Educators
Park Naturalist Educators design and lead programs that help visitors understand the plants, animals, geology, and history of parks. They create trail guides, exhibits, and slide shows, train seasonal staff, and answer questions from visitors while making sure people follow park rules and stay safe. They also research local ecosystems, collect data on wildlife and forests, and work with schools to build science-based field trips and classroom activities.
Did you know?
Most positions require a bachelor's degree in natural sciences or related fields, with strong competition for limited permanent positions in the federal and state park systems.
At a glance
Typical average pay
$68,400 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Speaking
Things to consider
Seasonal Employment
Many Park Naturalist positions are seasonal or temporary, particularly in national parks, requiring financial planning for off-season periods.
Geographic Flexibility
Career advancement often requires willingness to relocate to different parks across various states, as positions are tied to specific geographic locations.
Key responsibilities
Survey park to determine forest conditions and distribution and abundance of fauna and flora.
Prepare brochures and write newspaper articles.
Take photographs and motion pictures for use in lectures and publications and to develop displays.
Provide care for park program animals.
Compile and maintain official park photographic and information files.