Boone County Naturalist

Position Description 

Position Detail: Naturalist, full-time, Boone County Employee Benefits, this position has been classified as FLSA Non-Exempt

Accountable To: Boone County Conservation Board, Governed by the Boone County Employee Handbook

Pay: The starting pay range is $41,000 to $47,000, depending upon qualifications and experience plus standard county benefits. Employee wage step program increases pay for the first five years of employment. 

Position Objectives 

Plans, develops, coordinates and presents environmental education and interpretive programs for schools, youth and adult groups and the general public; develops related audiovisual and display materials. Performs other duties as required

Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university required, with major course work in natural resources, outdoor recreation, or a related natural science field; experience in natural resource work and education may be substituted for the course work requirement. Ability to develop and present environmental education or interpretive programs is required

Essential Functions and Skills: These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other skills and duties may be required and assigned.

· Natural resources, cultural history of Iowa and outdoor recreation

· Basic field identification and natural history of native plants and animals in Iowa

· Natural resource management including fisheries, wildlife, forestry, and prairies

· Animal handing experience and ability to care for educational animals

· Ability to coordinate with organizations and agencies concerned with conservation, natural resource management, education, water quality, etc.

· Environmental and conservation education principles and concepts

· Land management and stewardship

· Use a computer for the purposes of data entry, word processing, spreadsheets and presentations, e-mail and internet

· Operate common office equipment such as calculators, copiers, multi-line telephones, scanners and business band radios

· Organize and present facts, ideas and opinions clearly and concisely, orally and in writing

· Communicate effectively, orally and in writing, to groups and individuals in formal and non-formal situations, including writing for display text, signage, brochures, newsletters, letters and reports

· Work with local community partners, such as, schools, libraries, churches, ISU Extension, etc.

· Handle visitor and public complaints courteously and responsively and to be tolerant and respectful of differing opinions

· Maintain good communication skills with fellow employees

· Answer questions relating to BCCB parks and wildlife areas to various age groups

· Resolve disputes/conflicts with use of diplomacy, tact, and persuasion

· Willingness to work long unexpected hours with an irregular work schedule

· Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays

· Other duties as assigned

Essential Administration Responsibilities: These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other responsibilities and duties may be required and assigned.

· Work within a budget

· Establish and evaluate long-term goals and objectives for the education/interpretation program and to communicate needed changes to others

· Organize and maintain effective working relationships with groups, organizations, the general public, and co-workers 

· Ability to write grants for fundraising

· Assist with organizing and conducting fundraising activities

· Market programs, including the design of products, pricing, placement and promotion to meet the needs of specific target groups

· Prepare news releases, fliers, bulletin boards and other basic publicity

· Update and assist in management of county conservation websites and social media

Useful Skills

· Teaching certificate or classroom experience

· Canoeing certification or ability to obtain instructor certification

· Scout, 4-H, or other youth group participation/leadership experience

Minimum Qualifications 

Bachelor’s Degree in Conservation, Natural Resources, or related sciences preferred, High School Diploma/GED, Pre-Employment Physical, Pre-Employment Drug test, Clear Motor Vehicle Record, must be insurable under Boone County liability coverage, Pre Employment Background Check 

Required Essential Licenses and Certifications

Iowa Driver’s License, CPR and First Aid Certification (within one year of employment)

Mental/Visual Demands

Position demands attention in maintaining accurate records. Work under pressure with interruptions and challenging deadlines.

Required Essential Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 75 pounds of force. Work regularly requires sitting, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and requires standing, walking, climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, reaching with hands and arms, pushing or pulling and lifting. Work has standard vision requirements; vocal communications is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken work; hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken work levels; work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data, operating machines and observing general surroundings and activities. Work is generally in a moderately noisy location, occasionally walk on uneven and unstable surfaces such as construction sites, wooded areas and ditch embankments

Environment

Frequently subject to both inside and outside environmental conditions and extreme temperatures, cold and heat. Position will encounter dusty, windy, wet and icy work conditions. 

Position Location

Primary location is the Conservation Board Facilities in Boone County Don Williams Recreation Area. Some Traveling is required. Telecommuting is NOT approved for this position. 

Contacts

Position requires regular daily contact with others such as the public, other county offices and vendors. 

Accountability

Accuracy is important to avoid errors in recording transactions. Be reliable, responsible, and dependable in fulfilling obligations. Reliable work attendance. Maintain a high level of confidentiality and personal high level of integrity. Represent Boone County and perform duties in a professional, responsible and trustworthy manner.

The Above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work
performed by employee assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be an
exhaustive list of all skills, effort, responsibilities and working conditions required of a
person assigned to this job classification.

• Job Type: Full Time
• Department: Boone County, Iowa
• Posted: 3/20/2026