Job Details

Naturalist (temporary/seasonal)

Position Number: 7059218
Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Position Type: Agriculture - Environmental Science, Ecology & Forestry

Naturalist (temporary/seasonal)

Job Summary

The University of Utah Taft-Nicholson Center for Environmental Humanities Education in Centennial Valley, Montana, seeks a Naturalist for the summer/fall season (May 15-October 1). The Naturalist reports directly to the Program Manager.
Naturalists at the Taft-Nicholson Center are supervised by educational and administrative staff and are responsible for facilitating learning experiences for a variety of college and continuing education courses. Candidates should be prepared to immerse into the local flora and fauna, guide a range of educational experiences, including hikes, birdwatching tours, wildflower walks, canoe trips, field-based service projects, and driving tours, as well as on-campus events such as guided star-gazing and interpretive talks.
Health and safety are paramount at the Center, particularly because of its long distance from hospitals, its high elevation, and a resident population of grizzly bears. Education staff are expected to get certified in Wilderness First Aid and attend bear safety training (trainings provided for employees).

Responsibilities
Beyond field-based interpretation and educational facilitation and safety tasks, duties include:

Facilitating orientations for visiting groups (presenting natural and cultural histories and safety trainings)
Engagement with local community events
Assuring the health and safety of learners in the field
Development of interpretive and educational materials (guides, lectures, etc.)
Event and facilities management duties as needed (hosting community lectures and other events, helping with dormitory turnover between groups, etc.)
Optional involvement in noxious weed control and other facilities and campus management

Beyond educational facilitation and safety tasks, duties include:

Facilitating orientations for visiting groups (presenting natural and cultural histories and safety trainings)
Engagement with local community events
Assuring the health and safety of learners in the field
Development of interpretive and educational materials (guides, lectures, etc.)
Event and facilities management duties as needed (hosting community lectures and other events, helping with dormitory turnover between groups, etc.)
Optional involvement in noxious weed control and other facilities and campus management
Coordinating the Center's social media campaigns
Ecological content creation

Minimum Qualifications

B.A. or B.S. degree in applicable subject
Experience in environmental education, interpretation, and/or naturalist work
Cooperative and collaborative team player
Community-oriented
Interest in and ability to learn and teach about local flora and fauna in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

This is a seasonal, temporary, non-benefited position that can be used for positions six months or less.

Seasonal work generally means work that by its very nature can only be performed during certain times of the year.

Preferences

M.A. or M.S. degree in applicable subject
Expertise in the Centennial Valley Ecosystem
Strong interpersonal communication skills
Experience in education, particularly in environmental contexts
Experience in interpretation and/or naturalist work
Collaborative leadership style
Community-oriented
Interest in and ability to learn and teach about local flora and fauna in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

Special Instructions

Requisition Number: PRN16928N
Full Time or Part Time? Full Time
Work Schedule Summary:
Department: 01733 - TAFT-NICHOLSON CENTER
Location: Other
Pay Rate Range: $23 - $28
Close Date: 5/1/2026
Open Until Filled:

To apply, visit https://utah.peopleadmin.com/postings/199680