Naturalist

Organization

Natural Resources

Agency Contact Name and Information: Abbie Hanners or Dana Smith, 614-265-6981 or hr@dnr.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

Sep 29, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Hocking County-Logan

Other Locations

United States of America-OHIO-Hocking County-Nelsonville, United States of America-OHIO-Hocking County-Rockbridge

Compensation: $23.65/hr

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours: vary, incl nights/wknds/holidays

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Natural Resources

Technical Skills: Communications, Education

Professional Skills: Adaptability, Attention to Detail

Agency Overview

Who we are:

Did you know Ohio operates 76 state parks, manages over 750,000 acres of diverse wildlife land and more than 2 million acres of water? That’s just the tip of the iceberg of what we do at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) as we seek to ensure a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all!

Across our 12 divisions and support services, we employ office staff, law enforcement officers, geologists, biologists, engineers, attorneys, communicators, managers, and so much more. Whatever your passion, we likely have a position to fit it and pathways for advancement!

Working at ODNR is a special experience. Our employees are afforded opportunities to participate in public events at parks, nature preserves, wildlife areas, and annually at the Natural Resources Park at the Ohio State Fair. We routinely have Lunch and Learn events at our Assembly Center which are streamed on Teams Live as are monthly updates with our Director.

Job Description

What we need:

We are seeking energetic, passionate people who enjoy the outdoors and want to play a key role for the position of Naturalist, headquartered at Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve in Hocking County. The address is 7211 Bremen Road, Logan, Ohio 43138.To learn more about the Division of Natural Areas & Preserves, please visit Division of Natural Areas & Preserves | Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

What you will do…

• Plan, conduct & schedule interpretive programs at State Nature Preserves (e.g., Boch Hollow, Kessler Swamp, Shallenberger, Christmas Rocks, Rockbridge, Conkles Hollow) & other public/private sites for K-12 school groups, as well as interest groups & the general public.
• Develop interpretive informational materials including slide illustrated lectures, videos, signage, fact sheets, pamphlets, handouts & brochures & displays about Ohio's unique ecology & geology, tied to State of Ohio K-12 education standards.
• Develop engaging content for Division social media & articles for print media for local newspapers, magazines & internal communication.
• Serve as the primary contact with preserve visitors: advise visitors of preserve rules & regulations, respond to the public's inquiries via telephone, email, social media & in person.
• Coordinate & staff special events & outreach opportunities, including the Ohio State Fair.
• Participate in ecological management activities to control invasive species such as hand pulling, mechanical removal, herbicide application techniques & prescribed fire activities that require you to work outdoors (in inclement weather & exposed to poisonous plants & biting insects).
• Conduct field surveys & sampling of invasive species, rare species & plant communities within Nature Preserves, such as collecting & identifying specimens, maps occurrences, & documents findings.
• Assist with local volunteer efforts, such as recruiting new volunteers, coordinating work projects, organizing volunteer efforts to assist with interpretive programs & invasive plant control.
• Starting hourly pay of $23.65/hr with multiple pay increases over your first 5.5 years of service, with an end salary of $28.76/hr.
• There may also be cost of living adjustments (COLA) applied. Longevity pay supplements begin after five (5) years of state service. For more details, refer to the OCSEA pay range schedule & longevity rates OCSEA Employees | Department of Administrative Services.

UNUSUAL WORKING CONDITIONS: Works outside exposed to weather, poisonous reptiles or infectious animal bites, & scratches & unpleasant odors; travels overnight.

Qualifications

18 mos. trg. or 18 mos. exp. in preparing &/or presenting educational materials concerning wildlife & plants; 1 course or 3 mos. exp. in public relations; valid driver’s license.

-Or completion of associate degree core coursework in natural sciences (e.g., biology, botany, zoology); valid driver’s license.

-Or 12 mos. exp. as Naturalist Aide, 22540; valid driver’s license.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Natural Resources, Technical Skills: Communications, Education,Professional Skills: Attention to Detail,Adaptability

Supplemental Information

Please ensure your online application clearly indicates how you meet minimum qualifications (MQs). Transcripts are required for all coursework, degrees or educational accomplishments claimed on the application. Applicants must submit a transcript (can be unofficial until point of selection) by the posting deadline (attach in the Additional Attachments section of the application submission Step 6). Should you have issues attaching, please email to: hr@dnr.ohio.gov. “See resume” is not a substitution for completing supplemental questions. Answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by the work experience/education sections of the application. Applications that fail to demonstrate how they meet minimum qualifications will not be considered.

To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Mohammad Yakubu, EEO Regional/Program Administrator at 614-265-6992 or mohammad.yakubu@dnr.ohio.gov.

Effective July 1, 2015 applicants must apply online for positions at all state agencies except the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD).

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

STATUS OF POSTED POSITIONS: Applicants can view the status of this position by logging into their Ohio Hiring Management System [OHMS] user profile at careers.ohio.gov and selecting "My Profile".

Bargaining unit applicants will be given consideration for applicable positions, pursuant to collective bargaining agreement.
Selection devices, proficiency testing and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position. If you are applying for the same classification within a six-month period, your previous score from the selection instrument (interview, proficiency test and/or assessment) may be carried forward for consideration.

Please do not upload attachments that have an anomaly or are password protected.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.