Park Naturalists

Plan, develop, and conduct programs to inform public of historical, natural, and scientific features of national, state, or local park.

The occupation of "Park Naturalists" has an estimated automation risk of 41.8%, which is close to its base risk of 42.5%. The moderate automation risk stems largely from the nature of the daily tasks park naturalists perform, many of which involve routine visitor interactions and basic facility operations that can be standardized and potentially managed by software or automated kiosks. For instance, providing visitor services—explaining park regulations, answering requests, and offering area information—can often be handled by digital assistants, interactive displays, or mobile applications. Similarly, assisting with the general operations of visitor centers involves repetitive administrative and customer service tasks, which are increasingly managed through automation in other sectors. Coordinating schedules and planning park programs could be partially automated through scheduling software or AI-driven resource planners, reducing the need for manual oversight. Despite this moderate risk, several core responsibilities remain difficult to automate, thus lowering the overall risk for this occupation below 50%. Surveying the park to assess forest conditions and monitor wildlife populations requires nuanced environmental awareness, adaptability, and skills in ecological observation—areas where current AI and robotics struggle, especially in unpredictable or rugged outdoor environments. Interviewing field specialists to develop engaging park programs also relies on human judgment, nuanced communication, and the ability to synthesize qualitative data into educational content. Additionally, providing care for park program animals demands empathy, hands-on expertise, and situational awareness that is hard to replicate with automation, ensuring a continued need for skilled human naturalists in these critical roles. A significant factor moderating the automation risk for park naturalists is the nature of their bottleneck skills, particularly originality. The skill of originality is rated at 3.1% and 3.3% importance in their work—indicating that while it is not always the dominant skill, it remains a considerable factor in designing unique programs, interpreting the natural world, and responding creatively to visitor needs and unforeseen circumstances. This creative and adaptive aspect of the role, including generating new ways to engage the public and manage park resources, presents a bottleneck for automation technology. Thus, while routine aspects of the job may become increasingly automated, the enduring demand for originality and complex problem-solving helps insulate park naturalists from full automation, maintaining the role’s necessity within park operations.