Description
- Are you passionate about sustainability, conservation, and environmental stewardship?
- Do you enjoy working collaboratively to engage and grow community?
- Are you interested in leading impactful nature-based programs for all ages, from toddlers to seniors?
If this sounds like you,
Montgomery Parks’ Black Hill Discovery Center, located in
Boyds, Maryland, is the place you want to be!
We are currently seeking a
Park Naturalist – Sustainability Specialist to develop and lead environmental education programs, particularly focusing on sustainability and climate change, at Black Hill Discovery Center and SEED (Sustainable Education Every Day) Classroom
. This position will work as part of our team to deliver exceptional and engaging programs and events for a wide range of audiences. This position is full-time and works some scheduled evenings and weekends.
Black Hill Discovery Center is situated in Black Hill Regional Park, which is owned and operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County, Maryland. Black Hill Discovery Center provides interpretive programming for the public, schools, and special groups. BHDC specializes in early childhood education, field trips, summer camps, kayaking and pontoon boat programs, sustainable practices, and community building. The SEED Classroom is a net-zero energy, green building designed for small-group programs.
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery County Department of Parks system is a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, 420 parks, and over 37,000 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington DC area. Go to our website to learn more:
https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ DIVERSITY STATEMENTThe 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 ofrace, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation. Black Hill Discovery Center strongly encourages people from underrepresented groups to apply.
Please Note: The salary range listed above represents the earning potential for this position. Salary is commensurate with experience.
Examples of Important Duties
Interpretive Programming
- Works as part of a collaborative naturalist team to deliver a variety of programs and events that are part of Black Hill Discovery Center’s current repertoire including, but not limited to, kayaking, pontoon boat, preschool, field trip, and summer camp programs.
- Leads programs with a focus on building community and making outdoor spaces a safe and rewarding place for all.
- Modifies programs to meet the needs of participants based on their age, language, physical or mental abilities, and initial knowledge of the topic.
- Participates and stays up to date on relevant trainings to lead Black Hill programs.
- Occasionally fills in for other programs and staffs the front welcome desk as needed.
Development and Delivery of Environmental Education - Creates non-formal, educational programming based on up-to-date information on climate change, sustainability, green technology, and local natural resources issues.
- Creates new school field trip programs for middle and high school students that are tied to the current Montgomery County Public Schools’ curriculum.
- Delivers programming to a variety of school, private, and public audiences year-round.
- Establishes working relationships with local school administrators and teachers to fulfill Black Hill Discovery Center’s Mission and our MAEOE (Maryland Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education) Green Center obligation.
- Serves as a member on the Climate Change committee for all nature centers.
Manages and Maintains Gardens and Grounds - Plans, designs, and implements native plant gardens and nature play space areas around the SEED Classroom with input from visitors and staff.
- Assists with the maintenance of gardens, meadows, and nature play space areas around the Discovery Center.
- Works with other parks staff and volunteers on gardens and grounds improvements to promote rich biodiversity for native species.
- Liaison with the Weed Warriors for invasive plant and weed removal volunteer days.
- Coordinates with the Black Hill Volunteer Coordinator to train volunteers needed to maintain gardens, meadow, and nature play spaces.
SEED Classroom Facilitator - Works with the Administrative Assistant to schedule events at the SEED classroom including open houses, rentals, summer camps, tours, school fieldtrips, and preschool. Ensures the proper set-up and assists with these events as needed.
- Content expert on the functions and technologies associated with the building.
- Helps to ensure the building and workspace is maintained in a safe, clean manner. Facility is consistently opened and secured properly.
- Guides and serves as a resource for volunteers on projects at the SEED site.
Written and Oral Communication - Communicates with visitors, program participants, volunteers, and co-workers courteously and accurately.
- Attends all Black Hill Discovery Center staff meetings and division-wide interpretation meetings as requested and provides input.
- Collaborates with Black Hill staff and the Montgomery Parks’ marketing team to develop informational media on new programs and sustainability efforts.
Important Skills and Characteristics - Experience in environmental education for a variety of audiences and ages.
- Skilled in collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving.
- Skilled in effectively communicating concepts so that others can understand them.
- A positive attitude and exemplary customer service skills.
- Experience and/or ability to work and interact well with people of diverse backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience teaching environmental science to middle and high school students.
- Experience creating programs about climate change.
- Skilled in gardening best practices and ID of native, non-native, and invasive plants in Montgomery County, MD.
- Ability to communicate in one of Montgomery County’s most common languages (Spanish, Chinese, African Languages, Korean, Vietnamese, French, Persian) is a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Natural Science, Life Science, Physical Science, or any related field.
- Two (2) years of progressively responsible park naturalist experience.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total six (6) 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.
Supplemental Information
Class/Specification: Principal Park Naturalist
May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.
Working Conditions
Works in indoor or outdoor settings. Works scheduled weekends, evenings, and holidays. Exposed to inclement weather and outdoor hazards, Incumbents in this class must frequently: remain in stationary position, move about and position self to complete work, communicate and exchange information with internal staff and the public, distinguish between colors and lift objects and equipment weighing up to 49 pounds. Drives to attend various meetings and educational programs.
Very competitive and flexible benefits programs available!
Get to know Montgomery Parks and the opportunities available:
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.
