Naturalists are frontline volunteers whose primary function is to enhance visitor experiences through basic conversational and interpretive interactions about nature, wildlife, and Mass Audubon’s mission. Naturalists are members of Wellfleet Bay’s Visitor Experiences Team and work under the supervision of education, visitor services, and volunteer management staff. The Volunteer Naturalist program runs from May through October with the first training to be held in May.
Responsibilities:
- Provide visitor engagement opportunities through pre-designed kits and tabling materials.
- Seek out opportunities to engage with visitors by “roaming’ pre-determined locations ready to share location-based information to support engagement with Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary, and the importance of protecting nature for people and wildlife.
- Provide information and answers to general Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary questions such as directions, daily happenings, upcoming programs, and ways to further engage with Mass Audubon.
- Assist visitors by checking in on their visit, maintaining comfort and safety by monitoring busy areas of the site, and communicating with staff when additional support is needed.
- Depending on the sanctuary/site, chosen assignment(s), and their availability, Naturalists may be responsible for one or more of the following on any given day:
- Activity Carts/Kits/Tables: Facilitate educational hands-on activities and games designed to highlight Mass Audubon’s education and conservation objectives.
- Floater/Greeter: Welcome and engage with visitors, provide general site orientation information, natural history/animal info, support other site-based educators to ensure safe guest use of an area.
- Program Support: In some cases, Volunteer Naturalists may provide assistance with educational programs. To do this, Volunteer Naturalists must be orientated to all of Mass Audubon’s program specific guidelines and practices including, but not limited to, risk management, child protection guidelines, inclusion, and behavioral support. A separate interview and job description must be provided.
Qualifications:
- Excellent people skills, personable and communicative, ability to respond to a variety of visitors' needs and questions in a welcoming and inclusive manner.
- Excellent verbal communication skills.
- Strong interest, demonstrated knowledge, and enthusiasm to learn about natural history and site-specific nature and wildlife information, local conservation issues and education.
- Able to work cooperatively and independently as part of our Visitor Experiences Team.
Requirements:
- Knowledge of Mass Audubon's policies including:
- Mass Audubon's mission, vision, and Action Agenda goals and objectives.
- Best practices in education and visitor engagement.
- Culturally responsive teaching.
- DEIJA
- Risk Management
- Support visitor engagement.
- Ability to:
- Move from location to location throughout the sanctuary and nature center.
- Be prepared to be outside in all weather for the duration of your shift.
- Interact with guests of all ages and abilities.
- Reliably respond to email communications with staff.
- Pass CORI/SORI background check.
- Must adhere to all policies in the Mass Audubon Volunteer Safety Handbook.
- Must be supportive of and responsive to:
- Shadowing shifts for new Naturalists.
- Periodic observations and assessments of performance evaluation administered by key education and volunteer management staff.
- Refresher trainings on key components (emergencies, guest interaction, etc.).
- Naturalists may not design program content or resources for delivery at Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary. Naturalists may make suggestions to the education, visitor services, and volunteer management staff.
- Because of the level of investment in the training and supervision of this position, Naturalists must commit to a minimum of one year/season of service and at least 40 hours.
- Must be 18+.
Benefits:
- Volunteer ID cards are issued to volunteers who work 50 hours or more per year. The Volunteer ID card provides free admission, for yourself and immediate family, to all of Mass Audubon’s wildlife sanctuaries. It also allows you to take advantage of our Reciprocity Program which grants free or discounted access to participating area museums and attractions.
- Occasional opportunities to attend education department continuing education programs.
- Gain broad exposure to many facets of Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Excellent resume builder for careers focusing on customer service, education, science, conservation, and more.
- Volunteering in a fun and energetic environment!
