Education/Information Officer (Education Specialist)
Kansas Department of Wildlife and Park
Great Bend, Kansas
EDUCATION/INFORMATION OFFICER (EDUCATION SPECIALIST) – Position# K0238647
This unclassified, full-time position is part of the Education Section team and is stationed at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) in Great Bend, Kansas. It is directly supervised by Michael Rader, Wildlife Education Supervisor.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develops and presents educational programs, lectures, tours, outreach programs, field trips, workshops, media programs, special events and seminars.
- Conducts in-service trainings for local teachers, administrators, and students to implement wildlife/aquatic and outdoor education into the curriculum of local school districts.
- Facilitates trainings with KACEE (the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education) and ensures the success of the curriculum and training through evaluation.
- Coordination of public programs and activities which includes the development and implementation of on-site wildlife programs, the presentation of special on-site and off-site activities for the public and the evaluation of the effectiveness of these programs. Presentations will serve to inform and educate constituents about the natural resources of Kansas.
- Coordinates the maintenance and care of live animals at the facility, including feeding of exhibit animals and animal ambassadors, the preparation and cleaning of enclosures and training of other employees in this work.
- Serves as the responsible person with care and upkeep of the Outdoor Wildlife Learning Site at the facility including preparation, planting, watering, and weeding the flowerbeds.
- Works with other KWEC staff to engage community groups/individuals that could volunteer to help with exhibit and landscape maintenance, educational programming, and large special events.
- Works closely with Fort Hays State University staff as part of the team/partnership at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center.
Benefits:
- Salary: Beginning hourly wage $28.50/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:
- Demonstrated project management experience, including managing budgets, grants, completing reports, and other projects with evolving priorities and timelines required.
- Preference will be given to candidates that have professional experience in nature center or science museum program delivery and/or Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) and possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- 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.com/news/KDWP-Info/Jobs/Employment-Application-Additional-Info
**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 – November 24, 2025
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 | Environmental Education, Wildlife |
| Tags | Naturalist, Nature Center |
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