Description

Do you have strong interest in environmental stewardship and parks?
Are you an energetic and logical problem solver?
Do you have skills in motivating and educating the public through volunteer opportunities?

If you answered YES to these questions, The Montgomery County Department of Parks - Public Affairs & Community Partnerships Division, Volunteer Services and Community Partnerships Office is the place you want to be for your next Adventure!

We are seeking a motivated, highly organized, and professional Watershed Cleanups Volunteer Program Assistant to aid in managing and coordinating public stewardship. Functions include coordinating community engagement in projects that promote education and environmental stewardship, and watershed service projects through leading cleanups in our park system. This includes responding to inquiries received via the Volunteer Services phone lines, email addresses, and MontgomeryParks.org website. Assists the Watershed Clean Up Coordinator in executing the department’s efforts to respond to customer complaints and public requests for service projects while engaging best practices in working with diverse audiences. This position reports directly to the Volunteer Services and Community Partnerships Supervisor.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner for excellence in Parks and Recreation Management, proving once again “Best in Nation” status. As a part of that Bi-County Commission, the Montgomery County Department of Parks has a career staff complement of over 800 employees, and we serve a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. We manage 419 parks on over 37,000 acres of parkland.

Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/about/parks/

Please note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.

This is a Hybrid Workplace Position
Very flexible and competitive benefits package available!

Responsibilities include coordinating community involvement in watershed service projects that promote education and environmental stewardship, as well as regularly leading cleanup efforts throughout the park system.

Examples of Important Duties

A glimpse at what the job will involve

Coordinates volunteers supporting operations and other events; recruits, schedules, and supervises volunteer efforts. Tracks and logs volunteer work hours, and plans and coordinates volunteer recognition events

Assist Volunteer Service Office with volunteer initiatives, reporting on projects and volunteer hours, and other assigned duties, and act on behalf of Watershed Cleanups Volunteer Program Coordinator during their absence.
Provides staff assistance to community groups and staff regarding volunteer service activities.
Plans and coordinates cleanup events and projects.
Assist Volunteers in registering and completing all requirements for service to the parks.
Assist with training, onboarding, and coordinating Volunteer Leaders and interns
Assist in coordinating all communications internal to other divisions and to the public, needed for each park location throughout the county.
Support the maintenance of the volunteer program database and help monitor key program metrics

Provides information to the public or other governmental agencies by email, telephone, or in person; answers inquiries or requests and resolves complaints and problems.

Public Outreach:

Responds to inquiries concerning natural resources-related issues; participates in communications with citizens, schools, agencies, and community groups to discuss Commission policies, procedures, and address issues.
Encourages public appreciation and stewardship for the county’s natural resources
Assist in targeted outreach for youth and diverse communities
Represents the Montgomery Parks department Volunteer Services Office at public events

Important Worker Characteristics

Knowledge of environmental science, watershed science, and park maintenance practices, Montgomery Parks facilities, and The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.
Ability to: effectively communicate in a professional, courteous, and timely manner via phone, email, other written correspondence, and face-to-face interaction; follow volunteer guidelines and requirements for service with the public and other department staff.
Skill in writing, editing, communication, and operation of Microsoft programs (specifically, Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel).
Experience in Samaritan and Tree Keeper software is a plus.
The ability to speak, read, and write fluently in Spanish is preferred, but not required.

Ability to use geospatial tools to quickly identify locations as reported by the public in real-time; knowledge of the physical geography of Montgomery County, Maryland; and familiarity with the various county, state, and federal agencies operating in Montgomery County, Maryland, and neighboring jurisdictions.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Fisheries Management or any related field.
Three (3) years of progressively responsible natural resources or wildlife management experience or related experience.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total seven (7) years.
Valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
Pass Commission medical examination.
Depending on area of assignment, the ability to acquire related program certification (e.g., pesticide certification, trapping license, boating license).

Supplemental Information

Class Specification: Natural Resources Specialist II

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Working Conditions

Works in office and the field. Exposed to weather and outdoor hazards requiring special safety precautions or protective clothing and equipment. Incumbents in this class must frequently: remain in a stationary position, move from place to place, stoop, reach, push and pull while performing duties to operate vehicles, tools and equipment, communicate and exchange information with internal staff and the public, be able to view objects from a distance, distinguish between colors, and facilitate the removal of un wanted items, equipment, tools and supplies weighing up to 100 pounds. Occasionally required to work on nights, weekends, extended hours and periods of severe weather. Regular contact and interaction with the public and staff.

Get to know Montgomery Parks and the opportunities available:

https://montgomeryparks.org/about/parks/

DIVERSITY STATEMENT:
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1) M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission - MC Parks

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