Conservation Begins Here
Join the team of interactive and engaging Outdoor Educators with the North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department. As an Outdoor Educator, you’ll gain experience assisting park visitors of all ages achieve an appreciation and awareness for North Dakota’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, timeless history and exciting recreational opportunities. Our mission and goals include inspiring legendary experiences that empower lasting connections with North Dakota’s people, culture, unmatched outdoor spaces and recreational opportunities.
Spend the summer providing hands-on learning experiences at Lake Metigoshe State Park (LMSP) in an outdoor classroom! The park is located in the Turtle Mountains of North Dakota and is situated along the international border shared with Canada. The park houses the Outdoor Learning Center (OLC) which hosts a variety of school, scout and youth groups and provides public programming within the state park every weekend from Mid-May through Labor Day. The OLC also offers a series of youth day camps during the summer months where canoeing, archery, wetland exploration and ecology games have become popular activities. We pride ourselves in providing engaging programming whether it is on a trail, within a canoe or kayak or within our outdoor amphitheaters.
Several past SCA interns have described their positions here at LMSP as a boot camp for any educator position because of their experience here as it provided them with opportunities to research and develop programs from scratch as well as utilizing canned programming. Many resources are available to provide engaging programming to include, but not be limited to, canoes, kayaks, gps units, compasses, skulls, pelts, field guides, binoculars, water test kits, dip nets and replica scats.
Main duties include researching, developing and/or presenting hands-on programming that highlights the natural and historical resources in addition to the recreational opportunities found at Lake Metigoshe State Park (80%). Other duties may include trimming trees and shrubs along the trails, cleaning up after programming and assisting with a couple of special events that are held at the park (20%) to include an annual Halloween in July event weekend.
The OLC at Lake Metigoshe State Park is busiest in May and June with school groups visiting and weekend programming starting. Many school groups arrive in the morning for programming, break for lunch and spend the afternoon doing additional programming. Due to the hands-on nature of our programs, OLC programs usually consist of about 20 participants; depending upon staff, we often have multiple programs going on at the same time. The most requested programs include canoeing, freshwater ecology, survival skills, ecology games and guided hikes. Other programming offerings include birding, geocaching, beaver ecology, wild about wildlife and pioneer life to name a few. OLC programs are usually 1.5-2 hours in length. Our interpretive programs on the weekends are open to the public and can have anywhere from a small, intimate group of 10 people to as many as 60-70 depending upon the program topic, weather and amount of camping reservations for that weekend. Weekend programs are usually an hour in length. Our OLC programs and resources are often used on the weekends for our interpretive programs.
This position is a mix of both indoor and outdoor work. Much of the research and preparation for the programming is completed indoors, but there are many opportunities to work outdoors whether it is preparing for an upcoming program or actually doing the program. Usually work will include 5 days, 8 hours per day and will include weekends and some evenings. At times, we adjust the schedule to accommodate groups and work a longer day, but strive to keep a 40 hour work week. Two days off during the week provides an opportunity to potentially visit other North Dakota State Parks.
Conditions may require working outside in wet, cool, rainy or hot weather. This position is ideal for outgoing individuals looking to get into education/interpretation, whether it is in a classroom setting or in the natural resource or comparable field.
We are looking for folks that are motivated, who are excited to work with people and enjoy the outdoors so don’t miss your opportunity to be part of this legendary team!
Compensation
– $300/week* Living Allowance
– $650* To/From Travel Allowance, paid once with first paycheck
– Housing provided on-site
– AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,474.27, received upon successful completion of position
*All Allowances are subject to applicable federal, state, and local taxes
It is SCA’s policy that all AmeriCorps-required background checks must return cleared results prior to the position’s start; this includes being fingerprinted for the FBI check. Otherwise, the AmeriCorps award will be removed or the position’s start date will be delayed due to non-compliance.
For SCA’s COVID guidance, please refer to www.thesca.org/covid.
Position ID: PO-00734745
Expected Dates: April 17, 2023 – August 20, 2023
Location:
2 Lake Metigoshe State Park
Bottineau, ND 58318
Training Provided: Interpretive Training will take place May 27-29 at LMSP. Park orientation dates not available yet. Additional opportunities may include internet security safety, workplace safety training, defensive driving, harassment, CPR and ergonomics.
Educational/Recreational Opportunities: On-site there are public fishing docks, swimming beach, canoes, kayaks, a paddle boat and bikes that are available to use. There are over 12 miles of hiking and biking trails within the park. There are additional state trails outside the park as well.
Handicap Accessible?: No
Main Area of Focus: Education and Interpretation
Further Details
AmeriCorps Eligible: Eligible
Driving Logistics: Recommended
Car needed for entertainment purposes; usually there’s folks willing to provide a ride to town for groceries, errands and entertainment if SCA is flexible on days/times.
Housing or Stipend Provided?
A. Partner will provide suitable housing for the member
Usually a two bedroom furnished housing unit is provided. Intern would need to provide bedding and towels (for both bathroom and kitchen). Cell phone service is available; internet is available in the office, a computer may be available for personal usage pending availability of staff schedule.
Indoor/Outdoor: Combination
US Citizenship: Yes
