Current Position: District Interpretation & Education Specialist
How long have you been with North Carolina Parks and in what capacity?
One year as a park ranger and almost two years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working in the park system?
After I finished school I worked at a local science center and realized from this job how much I loved environmental education, but I missed the outdoors terribly, so state parks seemed like a natural fit for me.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
There is no typical day! My duties range from developing wayside exhibits and visitor center exhibits to professional development to education for the public. I also have found myself time for working on a prescribed fire or assisting with a search and rescue.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
Varies based on the season. Summer actually requires only a 40-hour work week, but during the Fall I usually work much more than that, including some weekend work.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I love that it is so varied, but I am able to stay true to what I believe in and what I am passionate about. State parks have such wonderful opportunities for education and connecting with the general public.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Sometimes it is hard for me to realize that not everyone feels the way I do, and cares about what I care about.
But this is a good challenge, because it means it is up to me to show people why protecting our natural resources is so important.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year science degree. You need a good natural resource background.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had a better natural resource background. I am always learning new things, but I would love to be a walking field guide one day!
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I have been working on exhibits at the park that I originally was a ranger at, so that has been a great deal of fun. I also have been working on some professional development training for the rangers as well as the public, such as invasive exotic species management, interpretation and education training, etc. Not sure how interesting that is to other people though!
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
Work on getting some experience in environmental education/interpretation as well as some experience with natural resource management and identification.
<< See other North Carolina interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>Interview with a District Interpretation & Education Specialist Name: Kelly L. Hoke
Current Position: District Interpretation & Education Specialist
How long have you been with North Carolina Parks and in what capacity?
One year as a park ranger and almost two years in my current position.
How did you become involved in working in the park system?
After I finished school I worked at a local science center and realized from this job how much I loved environmental education, but I missed the outdoors terribly, so state parks seemed like a natural fit for me.
Describe a typical day at your job.
(If there is no such thing as a typical day, then please tell us about your primary responsibilities and duties.)
There is no typical day! My duties range from developing wayside exhibits and visitor center exhibits to professional development to education for the public. I also have found myself time for working on a prescribed fire or assisting with a search and rescue.
How many hours a week do you work in this position?
Varies based on the season. Summer actually requires only a 40-hour work week, but during the Fall I usually work much more than that, including some weekend work.
What aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?
I love that it is so varied, but I am able to stay true to what I believe in and what I am passionate about. State parks have such wonderful opportunities for education and connecting with the general public.
What do you find to be the greatest challenges of your job?
Sometimes it is hard for me to realize that not everyone feels the way I do, and cares about what I care about. But this is a good challenge, because it means it is up to me to show people why protecting our natural resources is so important.
What kind of training/schooling is required in your position?
A four-year science degree. You need a good natural resource background.
Is there any kind of training or general experience that you wish you had before taking your job?
I wish I had a better natural resource background. I am always learning new things, but I would love to be a walking field guide one day!
What are a few of the projects that you've been working on recently that have been the most interesting?
I have been working on exhibits at the park that I originally was a ranger at, so that has been a great deal of fun. I also have been working on some professional development training for the rangers as well as the public, such as invasive exotic species management, interpretation and education training, etc. Not sure how interesting that is to other people though!
If someone were interested in working in your position, what advice could you give them?
Work on getting some experience in environmental education/interpretation as well as some experience with natural resource management and identification.
<< See other North Carolina interviews -- Search by state -- Search by job title>>