In order to become a park naturalist, you must usually meet three core requirements: have some experience working with nature; possess education, often at the university level, in ecology, biology, or forestry; and have at least an interest in working with children and teaching members of the general public. Specific park naturalist requirements tend to vary from employer to employer, but most of the time job success hinges on education and experience more than anything else. A naturalist must usually be something of an expert, which makes it beneficial to start career planning early on.
Earning a preliminary undergraduate degree is one of the foundational steps to becoming a park naturalist. Forestry, outdoor education, and ecology are among the most popular degree programs, but ecology, biology, or even geology will often suffice. Different jobs have different standards when it comes to specific coursework, but a university education is almost always required.
Some experience teaching or working with children is also usually an asset. Unlike park rangers and forest officers who spend most of their time working on park preservation and maintenance, naturalists directly interface with the public on a very regular basis. They often act as docents to the park, hosting school groups and leading community seminars. Teaching and engaging with visitors, particularly children, are major park naturalist duties. It is not usually necessary to have teacher training to become a park naturalist, but candidates who can show that they have even a demonstrated interest in education often have more success landing a job.
Most park naturalists work for government-owned enclaves, often in protected national parks or preserved lands. Hiring usually happens through individual parks and recreation offices, usually at the local level. Most parks systems have human resources officers who can counsel you on how to become a park naturalist within their system. Sometimes this is as easy as signing up for an interview, while other times it requires a competitive application process. The availability of park naturalist careers varies tremendously based on budget, demand, and park size.
If no jobs are available in the park of your choice, ask about whether you can become a park naturalist on a volunteer basis. Many organizations will accept volunteer naturalists to work on a part-time basis. It is often much easier to earn a position as a volunteer than as a permanent staff member, and many of the requirements, particularly those that hinge on education, are often loosened.
High school and college students often volunteer at parks where they would like to one day work as a means of gaining experience. If they are successful, they can often parlay this experience into a more permanent job offer. Starting out as a volunteer is not a sure-fire way to become a park naturalist, but it is almost always helpful.
