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Park Naturalists

Life, Physical, and Social Science (19-1031)

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

At a Glance

Park Naturalists earns a median of $67,950/yr with +3.4% projected growth. Typical entry: Bachelor's degree. Top skills: Performing for or Working Directly with the Public, Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates, Microsoft Office software.

Median Annual Wage

$67,950/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+3.4%

Annual Openings

3

Typical Education

Bachelor's degree

Skills & Requirements

Skills (11)

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

4.1
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.9
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.9
Writing

Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

3.8
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.8
Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.6
Service Orientation

Actively looking for ways to help people.

3.5
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.3
Instructing

Teaching others how to do something.

3.3
Learning Strategies

Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

3.3

Knowledge (9)

Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

4.5
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

4.0
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

3.8
Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

3.6
Biology

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

3.6
Communications and Media

Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

3.4
Geography

Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.

3.3
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

3.3
History and Archeology

Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.

3.3

Abilities (13)

Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

4.1
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

4.1
Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.8
Written Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.

3.8
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.6
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.5
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

3.5
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.4
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.4
Fluency of Ideas

The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).

3.3
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.3

Technology (8)

Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP

Category: Web platform development software | Hot Technology

4.5
Adobe Acrobat

Category: Document management software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Facebook

Category: Web page creation and editing software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (27)

Performing for or Working Directly with the Public

Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.

4.9
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.5
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

4.4
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

4.4
Communicating with People Outside the Organization

Communicating with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.

4.4
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

4.3
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

4.2
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.2
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.1
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

4.1
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

4.0
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.0
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

3.9
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others

Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.

3.8
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

3.8
Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

3.7
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.7
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.7
Monitoring and Controlling Resources

Monitoring and controlling resources and overseeing the spending of money.

3.7
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

3.7
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.5
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.5
Providing Consultation and Advice to Others

Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

3.3
Staffing Organizational Units

Recruiting, interviewing, selecting, hiring, and promoting employees in an organization.

3.3
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.3
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.3

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

Explore Key Skills

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