Outdoor & Environmental Education Jobs
Passion for the outdoors and nature's wilds is typically a life-long attribute. If you have the passion for the backcountry and outdoors, there are many ways to keep yourself in it and make a living while doing so. Oceans, mountains, grasslands, shorelines, deserts and bayous all have individual ecosystems. You can make a career in your favorite ecosystem and help make a difference in your part of the world.
Other People Are Reading
-
Naturalists
-
Naturalists give talks and programs on ecosystems. Naturalists work taking groups and individuals into their respective ecosystems and give interpretive talks, hikes or trips on the flora and fauna. Naturalists are employed by state, natural and municipal parks, private guiding companies and environmental nonprofit agencies. As a naturalist you are expected to possess a working knowledge of the earth sciences, such as biology, chemistry, botany and oceanography, depending on where you are employed. Naturalists are also expected to write curriculums and put on presentations when needed.
Park Rangers
-
Work as a ranger in the nation's national parks. Working as a park ranger for the numerous state, national or municipal parks provides a platform to teach and educate the public. Rangers' duties often include leading guided hikes, kayak or canoe trips, backpacking or even dog sledding excursions. Other duties include writing interpretive programs, putting together slide show and powerpoint programs. Benefits of working as a national park ranger are park transfers, allowing you to work in various ecosystems and regions throughout a career.
-
Backcountry Guide or Instructor
-
Work as a guide. Organizations like the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) and Outward Bound hire trip leaders, teachers and guides. Job duties include leading one-day to 30-day instructional courses in the backcountry, instructing safety and navigation skills and providing naturalist interpretation. If you work for a private guiding company, you are expected to lead trips into the backcountry while providing safety, navigation and outdoor education to paying clients.
-
References
- Photo Credit park ranger image by Jim Parkin from Fotolia.com the tree and i image by jimagez from Fotolia.com carlsbad national park image by Lars Koch from Fotolia.com kayak image by jeanphilippe delisle from Fotolia.com
