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We are hiring Naturalists…It’s the perfect opportunity for education and science majors, retired teachers and camp counselors

Group of children sitting on a large rock on the beach being spoken to by a man.

Students explore the seashore at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve under the guidance of Nassau BOCES Naturalist William Monahan.

If your idea of the perfect office includes being surrounded by pine and oak trees, a beautiful seashore, or a nature preserve with the blue sky as your ceiling, then working as a Naturalist for the Nassau BOCES Outdoor and Environmental Education Program may be the job for you.

“My favorite part of this job is being outside and sharing my love of the outdoors with students and teachers and working with a staff of people also share that love,” says William Monahan, who retired after 37 years in Nassau BOCES Outdoor Education and recently joined the staff again as a Naturalist. “It is one of the most rewarding and important things you can do with your life, sharing a love of nature and the outdoors.”

Programs are offered at the Nassau BOCES Brookville Outdoor and Environmental Education Center, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Jones Beach State Park and at any Nassau County School District. Topics range from seashore ecology to teambuilding, and from survival shelters to geocaching.

“It’s being in nature itself that drew me to this job,” says Karel Bott, who has worked for Nassau BOCES as a Naturalist for over 25 years. “I really enjoy working with the students. Seeing them get to just play and be themselves. Nothing feels better than seeing kids come out of their shell, doing something they never thought they could do, while being cheered on by their classmates.”

Nassau BOCES is hiring part-time Naturalists. “We’re looking for knowledgeable and personable nature enthusiasts to share their love for the environment with students in grades k-12 and with education professionals,” says Yajaira Herrera, Program Coordinator for Nassau BOCES Outdoor and Environmental Education, part of the Department of Curriculum. Instruction and Technology. “We offer flexible seasonal schedules, 4-5 hours a day, 3-5 days a week.” 

To become a Naturalist, you need:

  • Sixty college credits (12 of those need to be science-based)
  • The ability to teach outdoor and school-based science/STEM, social studies and team-building programs
  • Previous experience with the environment or education is a plus.

“My days are so varied. I can go from teambuilding one day to glacial geology and survival the next,” says Bette Bass, who has worked for Nassau BOCES for 37 years, almost 20 of them as a Naturalist. “Every day is different; every group is different. We get to teach and experience so many various types of programs. It is very rewarding work, especially when you see the students really connecting with nature.”

To learn more about our Outdoor and Environmental Education programs visit: www.nassauboces.org/outdoors. To apply to become part of our team of Naturalists, email or call Yajaira Herrera at YHerrera@nasboces.org, or 516-396-2264.