Visitor Services Associate/Naturalist

Since 1843, Maine Audubon has worked to conserve Maine wildlife and wildlife habitat by engaging people in education, conservation, and action. The Fields Pond Audubon Center has hosted a nature center and store, school programs, nature tours, community science, interpretation, and other environmental education and community engagement programs in the greater Bangor area for more than 25 years. As a public-facing position, the Visitor Services Associate/Naturalist represents Maine Audubon to visitors at our Fields Pond Center.

Essential Duties (under the supervision of the Director of Northern Programs and Operations):

• Staffing the Nature Center building during public open hours.
• Manage Nature Store operations, including sales & inventory support, operating a cash register/POS system, handling cash, counting change and performing basic math.
• Ensure the visitor services experience of all visitors to the Fields Pond Nature Center is welcoming, educational and reflects Maine Audubon’s mission.
• Maintain and develop educational displays in our nature center & other visitor contact points (e.g. information kiosks, bulletin boards).
• Ensure that the building and visitor service areas are regularly maintained at a high-level of cleanliness and function.
• Serve as onsite (Fields Pond) natural history resource for staff, volunteers, and visitors at the Fields Pond Nature Center. This may include leading nature walks or other programming.
• Manage visitor & customer interactions across multiple channels, such as phone & email.
• Assist with building rentals.
• Assist program staff with educational programs depending on schedule/availability

Essential Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills
• Organized and detail oriented
• Ability to understand customer needs and resolve issues effectively/positively
• Patience and adaptability
• Ability to convey information clearly
• Knowledge of computer & A/V equipment
• Knowledge of Maine’s natural history
• We welcome diverse perspectives and encourage you to apply even if your experience does not precisely match the job description

Physical Requirements:

• Able to lift up to 40 pounds
• Able to walk property trails as part of programing and stewardship
• Able to use hands/fingers to operate computer and other program equipment
• Able to work outdoors occasionally in challenging environmental conditions

Timing, Compensation, and Benefits:

• This is a part-time, year-round position, with less hours during the winter season and more required during late spring/summer (averaging between 20-30 hrs./week annually). This is a site-based position, which will include some weekends (depending on events).
• Salary: $19 – $21 per hour
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Enrollment in Maine Audubon’s 403b retirement plan after 60 days of employment