How to hire a naturalist

How to hire a naturalist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step naturalist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a naturalist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new naturalist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a naturalist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your naturalist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a naturalist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a naturalist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a naturalist that fits the bill.

   This list presents naturalist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Naturalist	Description	Hourly rate
   Naturalist	Conservation scientists and foresters manage the overall land quality of forests, parks, rangelands, and other natural resources.	$11-35
   Park Manager	Park Managers are responsible for overseeing the operations of parks. Their duties include organizing work schedules and assignments, supervising park maintenance activities, conduct park inspections, and assess revenue channels... Show more	$14-29
   Park Ranger	A park ranger is responsible for maintaining and protecting the natural ecosystem landscape and coordinating with environmental organizations to develop strategies and programs to stabilize the condition of the lands. Park rangers conduct data analysis and research to improve agricultural integrity by utilizing adequate resources through scientific testing and investigations... Show more	$10-34

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Nature Programs
   • Cultural History
   • CPR
   • Natural History
   • Outdoor Education
   • Public Speaking
   • Environmental Education Programs
   • Interpretive Programs
   • Environmental Science
   • Creek
   • Natural Sciences
   • Front Desk
   • Plant Identification
   • Natural World

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Lead tour groups on both bicycles and kayaks, man small retail/rental outlet as only staff person.
   • Act as primary historian for all tour groups, ages k-12.
   • Assist with naturalist guide hikes, canoe tours and general outdoor learning activities.
   • Supervise canoe trips, nature walks, park cleanups, and volunteer groups.
   • Develop outdoor survival skills, including first aid and fire / shelter building.
   • Organize, implement and execute promotional meetings with various NYC public and charter schools.

   More naturalist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the naturalist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A naturalist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a naturalist in Florida may be lower than in Rhode Island, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level naturalist. Additionally, a naturalist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average naturalist salary

   $42,363yearly

   $20.37 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level naturalist salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 17, 2026

   Average naturalist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Nevada	$55,822	$27
   2	California	$49,314	$24
   3	Maryland	$44,764	$22
   4	Washington	$41,283	$20
   5	Minnesota	$38,084	$18
   6	Colorado	$34,891	$17

   Average naturalist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	PSEA	$68,034	$32.71	2
   2	Delaware State Government	$56,870	$27.34	2
   3	California Academy of Sciences	$56,684	$27.25
   4	University of Washington	$49,468	$23.78	2
   5	Pathfinder Ranch	$46,153	$22.19
   6	Minnesota Limited	$43,405	$20.87
   7	City of Louisville	$40,858	$19.64
   8	World Bird Sanctuary	$40,280	$19.37
   9	Americorps	$37,617	$18.09	3
   10	City of Rockville	$37,146	$17.86
   11	City of Aurora	$35,654	$17.14
   12	Baltimore County Golf	$34,724	$16.69
   13	Indiana State Police	$34,645	$16.66	1
   14	Appalachian Mountain Club	$31,206	$15.00
   15	Marriott International	$28,403	$13.66
   16	MGM Resorts International	$27,875	$13.40	1

4. Writing a naturalist job description

   A good naturalist job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a naturalist job description:

   Naturalist job description example

   
   Job Category Golf, Fitness, & Entertainment
   
   Location The Ritz-Carlton Maui Kapalua, 1 Ritz-Carlton Drive, Kapalua, Hawaii, United States VIEW ON MAP
   
   Schedule Full-Time
   
   Located Remotely? N
   
   Relocation? N
   
   Position Type Non-Management
   
   JOB SUMMARY
   
   Lead programs for kids, youth, adults, families, and group activities, such as snorkeling, kayaking, underwater photography and videography, botanic park (terrestrial) tours, sustainable living lessons, arts & crafts, etc. Explain and promote the rules and regulations of the recreation facility intended for the safety and welfare of guests and members. Observe activity in the recreational facility and respond appropriately in accordance with local operating procedure in the event of an emergency. Be aware of possible situations where guests are not able to safely participate in an activity and inform supervisor/manager. Demonstrate knowledge of local and cultural heritage. Prepare for each activity, ensuring that the co-naturalist or attendant is also prepared with any necessary materials, and guiding the group at all times.
   
   Follow company policies and procedures; maintain confidentiality of proprietary information; protect company assets. Report accidents, injuries, and unsafe work conditions to manager; complete safety training and certifications. Welcome and acknowledge all guests according to company standards; anticipate and address guests' service needs; assist individuals with disabilities; thank guests with genuine appreciation. Speak with others using clear and professional language; answer telephones using appropriate etiquette. Develop and maintain positive working relationships with others. Ensure adherence to quality expectations and standards; identify, recommend, develop, and implement new ways to increase organizational quality. Visually inspect tools, equipment, or machines; move over sloping, uneven, or slippery surfaces; stand, sit, or walk for an extended period of time. Move, lift, carry, push, pull, and place objects weighing less than or equal to 75 pounds without assistance. Perform other reasonable job duties as requested.
   
   Marriott International is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive, people-first culture. We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, such as disability and veteran status, or any other basis covered under applicable law.
   
   At more than 100 award-winning properties worldwide, The Ritz-Carlton Ladies and Gentlemen create experiences so exceptional that long after a guest stays with us, the experience stays with them. As the premier worldwide provider of luxury experiences, we set the standard for rare and special luxury service the world over. We invite you to explore The Ritz-Carlton.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find naturalists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any naturalists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level naturalists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your naturalist job on Zippia to find and recruit naturalist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit naturalists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new naturalist

   Once you've decided on a perfect naturalist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new naturalist. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire a naturalist?