Flamingo Adventures Looking for Naturalist/First Mate at Homestead, Florida Full Time

Flamingo Adventures, located within The Everglades National Park, is now hiring a Naturalist/First Mate for year-round openings!

We operate 2 large campgrounds, Eco Tents, and a full-service Marina. We have a new Lodge and Restaurant to opening soon that will add even more jobs in Food & Beverage and Lodging.

We have RV sites with full hookups for $20 per week and dorm-style housing for $40 per week. Sorry, space is very limited. You must work here and be available for full-time hours to live on the property.

Pay: $11.00/hour. Year-round team members will also be eligible for benefits such as medical, dental, vision, 401k matching, and more!

Our team members enjoy free and/or discounted bicycle, kayak, and boat rentals, food discounts, and free boat tours.

Popular onsite activities include kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing, hiking, bike riding, and camping. We are also located within a reasonable driving distance from the Florida Keys, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami beaches and nightlife!

In accordance with Guest Services, Inc.’s (Guest Services) duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards, we maintain a vaccination policy to safeguard the health of our employees and their families; our customers and visitors; and the community at large from infectious diseases, such as COVID-19. All team members are required to comply with the vaccination policy which requires vaccinations subject to approved medical exemptions. All incoming team members must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 within 6 weeks of their hire date. Until such time as the employee is fully vaccinated, weekly testing and daily masking are required. Any team member not in compliance with this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

JOB SUMMARY

Boat Naturalists are expected to educate, inform and monitor all passengers during our 90-minute boat tours. Presenting information on marine mammals, birds and general ecology. The Naturalist is also the acting First Mate on the vessel, responsible to help the Captain in any way. Pre- and post-trip boat cleaning is also an important part of the tour. Some hours will be spent working at the cash register.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform duties as First Mate to Captain, which may include the safety talk prior to the vessel leaving the dock.
• Educate and inform guests about Everglades Park history including crocodiles, manatees, and the vast variety of birds.
• Monitor all passengers to assure they are comfortable and safe.
• Clean and prepare vessel pre and post-trip.
• Responsible to continue learning new material on marine mammals, birds and the Flamingo area.
• Background in natural sciences preferred.
• Working knowledge of boats, and experience working on open water.

SKILL AND KNOWLEDGE REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE

• Partial High School education; High School Diploma/G.E.D. equivalent preferred.
• Strong customer service abilities; actively look for ways to assist customers and coworkers. 
• People-oriented, strong communication/public speaking skills, education experience or background.
• Strong work ethic and team-oriented skills are a must.
• Must enjoy educating a diverse audience about wildlife and other subjects,
• Must adhere to company dress code.
• Subject to pre-employment and/or random drug testing.
• Available Saturdays, Sundays, evenings and holidays.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Florida Boaters Safety Course
• Everglades Boater Education Course

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS

• Moving about on foot to accomplish tasks, particularly frequent movements from place to place within the unit.  Bend, lift, carry, reach/extend arms and hands above shoulder height frequently, or otherwise move in a constantly changing environment. 
• Reading and writing work-related documents in English.
• Speech recognition and clarity, including the ability to understand the speech of customers and co-workers and the ability to speak clearly so that you can be understood by customers and co-workers in English.
• Physical presence at the job site is essential to performing job duties. 

Guest Services, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected Veteran status.