Minnesota / Minnesota Zoological Garden / Interpret Naturalist 1

Job-title file

Interpret Naturalist 1

Carry out the duties of this position in support of the agency's public mission.

66 employees hold this title in Minnesota Zoological Garden. Median total compensation for the role is $8,668, below the department median of $46,651.

Employees: 66
Total payroll: $1.3M
Role median: $8,668
Agency median: $46,651
Comparison: Below

What the records show

Role pay distribution

Pay distribution for this role

$1,230$74,389+

Hover a bar for its range; click to filter the list below.

How total compensation varies among the 66 people in this role. Even for one job title, pay differs with seniority, step, overtime, and tenure. Each bar is a pay range; the far-right bar collects the highest earners.

Compare departments

This role across Minnesota

Interpret Naturalist 1 is held in 2 Minnesota departments. In Minnesota Zoological Garden, the median of $8,668 ranks #2 of 2.

Highest-paying departments for this role

Natural Resources Department

$8,975 · 34

Median total compensation for the Interpret Naturalist 1 role in other Minnesotadepartments (highest first). Each bar links to that department’s page for this role.

Record list

Employees with this title

Page 1

Donald Crook

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$78,695

Sub-department: Ambassador Animals
Base pay: $61,703
Overtime: $1,543
Other pay: $15,449
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $78,695
Hire date: 2003-01-05
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: No
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Donald Crook holds the role of Interpret Naturalist 1 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Ambassador Animals. They have served since 2003 (about 22 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $78,695. Union affiliation: MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Michaela Kluever

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$74,566

Sub-department: Aquatics
Base pay: $72,390
Overtime: $2,174
Other pay: $2
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $74,566
Hire date: 2008-06-22
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Michaela Kluever serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Aquatics. They have served since 2008 (about 17 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $74,566. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Laurel Mochinski

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$73,975

Sub-department: Ambassador Animals
Base pay: $71,308
Overtime: $2,667
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,975
Hire date: 1992-11-27
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

Laurel Mochinski holds the role of Interpret Naturalist 1 at Minnesota Zoological Garden within Ambassador Animals. They have served since 1992 (about 33 years) as a full-time employee. In 2025, their total compensation was $73,975. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Emily Endert

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$73,848

Sub-department: Ambassador Animals
Base pay: $72,356
Overtime: $1,492
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,848
Hire date: 2011-05-18
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Emily Endert serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Ambassador Animals. Hired in 2011, they have about 14 years of service, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,848. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Judy Armstrong

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$73,287

Sub-department: Ambassador Animals
Base pay: $71,411
Overtime: $1,877
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,287
Hire date: 1994-04-12
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Judy Armstrong serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Ambassador Animals. They have served since 1994 (about 31 years), working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,287. They are represented by MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Alexandria Tasa

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$73,177

Sub-department: Ambassador Animals
Base pay: $72,356
Overtime: $821
Other pay: $0
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $73,177
Hire date: 2005-02-28
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Alexandria Tasa serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Ambassador Animals. Their tenure dates to 2005, about 20 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $73,177. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.

Christine Ness

Interpret Naturalist 1/Minnesota Zoological Garden

2025 total comp

$72,016

Sub-department: Outreach
Base pay: $71,000
Overtime: $1,000
Other pay: $16
Benefits: $0
Total compensation: $72,016
Hire date: 2006-11-01
Employment type: Full-Time
Pay grade: 5
Union / bargaining unit: MN Assoc of Professional Empl
Pay basis: Hourly
Full-time equivalent (FTE): 1
Work county: Dakota

Source-specific fields

Active on June 30, 2025: Yes
Agency Number: E77
Bargaining Unit Number: 214
Branch: Executive
Branch Code: Executive
Classified Code: Classified
Classified Status: Classified
Compensation Frequency Code: Hourly

At Minnesota Zoological Garden, Christine Ness serves as a Interpret Naturalist 1 within Outreach. Their tenure dates to 2006, about 19 years, working full-time. Their 2025 pay totaled $72,016. Their bargaining unit is MN Assoc of Professional Empl.