Environmental Education Specialist

Full Job Description

If you have a passion for sharing your expertise, engaging with the public, and contributing to the environmental and recreational sector, consider joining the team at Presque Isle State Park as an Environmental Education Specialist. Within this role, you will be responsible for organizing and executing educational programs and interpretive activities related to the environment and history. Take pride in knowing you are contributing to an agency which strives to conserve and sustain Pennsylvania’s natural resources for present and future generations’ use and enjoyment. Bring your talent and enthusiasm to our team and apply today!

Requirements

As an Environmental Education Specialist, you will be responsible for developing programs and lesson plans to provide special activities for park visitors such as environmental education and interpretive programs regarding natural history, historic and cultural events, and environmental management issues at Presque Isle State Park.

Work includes program planning, preparation, implementation, presentation, and evaluation.

Programs will be facilitated by leading guided walks, audio-visual presentations, tours, campfire programs, and innovative field learning activities.

The ability to engage and collaborate with others is essential, as you will be presenting programs, workshops, seminars, and environmental education activities to students, the public, civic organizations, and various other organized groups. You will also be tasked with creating program schedules, as well as preparing and distributing program and activity schedules, educational brochures, press releases, and other correspondence. Furthermore, you will assist with maintaining all natural, historic, cultural, and archeological collections; coordinating the use, repair, and maintenance of environmental learning field equipment; and assisting in various aspects of resource management projects at Presque Isle.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

This is a seasonal, full-time position with no healthcare benefits. There is not an option to buy into health care benefits.

The season runs from approximately February 2026 until October 2026 at which time the employee will be placed on leave without pay.

The employee will automatically be returned to employment approximately in February 2027.

Work schedule will vary. Work will be scheduled 5 days/37.5 hours per week and will include a 30-minute lunch.

• Work may be scheduled on weekends, holidays, and all shifts as needed.

Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.

You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• A bachelor's degree in environmental education, education, the natural sciences, social sciences, or parks and recreation; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Conditions of Employment:

• You must be willing to work weekends and evenings.
• You must be willing to wear a prescribed uniform.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• You must pass a background investigation.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.