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Alamo Colleges DistrictCareer Explorer

Park Naturalists

Part of Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics, in the Science and Mathematics pathway.

Bright outlookJob zone 4: considerable preparationO*NET 19-1031.03

What the work is

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

On a typical day

  • Provide visitor services, such as explaining regulations, answering visitor requests, needs and complaints, and providing information about the park and surrounding areas.
  • Conduct field trips to point out scientific, historic, and natural features of parks, forests, historic sites, or other attractions.
  • Prepare and present illustrated lectures and interpretive talks about park features.
  • Perform emergency duties to protect human life, government property, and natural features of park.
  • Confer with park staff to determine subjects and schedules for park programs.
  • Assist with operations of general facilities, such as visitor centers.

What it pays

$66,120
Median pay per year, San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX metro
New workers start near $47,790
Experienced workers reach $87,530
  1. $48k10th
  2. $56k25th
  3. $66kMedian
  4. $78k75th
  5. $88k90th
Wage percentiles: 10th $47,790, 25th $55,940, Median $66,120, 75th $77,980, 90th $87,530

About 120 people do this job in the San Antonio area.

Job outlook

Alamo region (Bexar and 12 surrounding counties), Texas Workforce Commission projection 2024 to 2034. U.S. figures from the BLS for comparison.

+6.5%

employment change in the Alamo region, 168 to 179 jobs · U.S. +3%

15

openings a year in the Alamo region, from growth and people leaving · U.S. 2,500

168

employed in the Alamo region in 2024 · U.S. 28,500

Typical entry education: Bachelor's degree

Skills this career uses

The skills O*NET rates most important for the job, with how much of each the work needs on a 1 to 7 scale.

  1. Speaking4.3
  2. Reading Comprehension4.1
  3. Active Listening4.0
  4. Writing4.0
  5. Social Perceptiveness3.5
  6. Critical Thinking3.9
  7. Service Orientation3.4
  8. Learning Strategies3.4

Education people in this job have

Share of workers by highest education, from O*NET surveys. It shows what others did, not what you must do.

  1. High school or less11%
  2. Certificate1%
  3. Some college2%
  4. Associate degree26%
  5. Bachelor's degree50%
  6. Master's degree10%

Job zone 4, considerable preparation: Usually a bachelor's degree, sometimes a strong associate plus experience.

Alamo programs that lead here

  • Northwest Vista
  1. Geography and Environmental Sustainability

    Transfer pre-major · Science & Technology

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