Education Center Director
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park
Galena, Kansas
| Job Type | Permanent |
| Salary | $28.78 per hour |
| Deadline | Jul 24, 2026 |
| Min. Experience | 2 - 4 years |
EDUCATION CENTER DIRECTOR – Position #K0224024
This unclassified, full-time position is located in the Education Section at the Southeast Kansas Nature Center, Galena, Kansas, and is directly supervised by the Wildlife Education Supervisor.
Key Responsibilities:
- Serves as the Director of the Southeast Kansas Nature Center.
- Coordinates public programs and activities including the development and implementation of on-site wildlife programs, and evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs.
- Develops and presents programs, lectures, tours, outreach programs, field trips, workshops, media programs, special events and seminars.
- Serves as the Southeast Kansas contact for the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site (OWLS) program.
- Develops the nature center site, including maintaining a functional, safe and attractive building and nature trail.
- Oversees the care of live animals and the care and preservation of all other exhibits and displays.
- Reports maintenance needs and condition of the building, facilities, and grounds to immediate supervisor and city of Galena officials, and ensures compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Standards.
- Manages the facility budget, coordinates procurement of supplies and equipment, maintains visitation and program records and issues reports on needs, condition and progress of the center's programs and facilities.
- Maintains current inventory records, prepares a variety of informational media.
- Disseminates information to interested individuals, groups and organizations.
- Answers questions to expand or reinforce details of presentations, displays, etc.
- Supervises part-time staff and volunteers, including training, coordination of work assignments, and evaluation of work performances.
- Fosters good working relationships and serves as liaison between the Southeast Kansas Nature Center and other state agencies, public and private schools, local communities and the general public.
- Attends meetings and conferences as necessary.
- Other duties as assigned.
Benefits:
- Salary: Beginning hourly wage $28.78/hour
- Health and Insurance: Immediate group health, dental and vision coverage and life insurance coverage.
- Retirement and Options: Retirement plan and optional deferred compensation.
- Paid Leave: Holidays, sick leave, vacation leave, and parental leave.
Minimum Requirements:
- Two years of experience in developing and delivering training materials and presentations.
- Applicants possessing knowledge of ecological relationships, wildlife management, conservation application, skills in presentations and delivery of content, general knowledge of environmental education and computer application skills will be given
- Applicants must be able to speak effectively before groups of all ages, organize and express information in concise written form and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- A valid driver’s license and the ability to pass a background check are required.
How to Apply: Go to the State Employment Center at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center and follow the directions below:
- Click in the middle under the Sunflower. From there either Sign into your existing account or Register for a new account.
- Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page. Please make sure to include your email address.
- Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
- Complete and Submit your application.
- Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
- Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
- Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page
The following are the required items to apply:
1) a letter of interest
2) a detailed resume; including a valid e-mail address
3) transcript material, if you wish to include them
4) employment application – this is generated from the information which is input into the system
5) an Authorization to Release Information form** (this can be found at the following website):
https://www.ksoutdoors.gov/about-kdwp/careers
**Please note, this form must either be witnessed and signed by a Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks employee or signed in front of and notarized by a notary public. We reserve the right to conduct a background check on all qualified applicants.
Incomplete applications will not be considered. A complete application packet must be submitted for each position. We no longer make copies of previous applications. Submitted application materials will be reviewed in Pratt to assure that the position minimum requirements are met, and those meeting the minimum requirements will be forwarded to the respective division for interview selection.
Applicants are notified whether or not they are selected to interview. The interview is generally a one-time, panel interview consisting of position-specific questions for all applicants (same questions for each applicant), with the selection being made after all candidate interviews are completed.
Veterans’ Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a “veteran” under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum requirements of the position. The veterans’ preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the appointing authority. Additional VPE information can be found at https://admin.ks.gov/services/state-employment-center/veterans. Applicants claiming veterans’ preference for the first time must mail a copy of your DD-214 to the Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson, Room 401-N, Topeka KS 66612, or FAX to 785/291-3715.
Disability Hiring Preference: If you are claiming Disability Hiring Preference for the first time, please mail a copy of your supplemental security income or social security disability insurance determination letter, letter from a managed care organization or qualified medical professional attesting to the disability, home and community-based services waiver approval letter, or vocational rehabilitation letter from a vocational rehabilitation counselor. These documents can be sent by fax to (785) 296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed or delivered in-person to ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator, Office of Personnel Services, 900 SW Jackson Rm 401-N, Topeka, KS 66612. Visit https://admin.ks.gov/offices/personnel-services/jobs/disabilityhiring-preference for more information.
DEADLINE TO APPLY – July 24, 2026
The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.
If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the recruiter.
When you apply, please indicate that you are responding to the posting on Conservation Job Board.
| Category | Admin & Leadership , Environmental Education |
| Tags | Nature Center |
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