Description

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Recreational and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner. The Montgomery County Department of Parks has a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees, and we serve a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area.  We manage over 37,000 acres of parkland including 424 parks, 490 miles of streams, 26,000 acres of forest, and more than 500 lakes, ponds, and stormwater management facilities. Go to our website to learn more:  https://www.montgomeryparks.org/ 

The Montgomery County Department of Parks seeks a graduate or undergraduate level Inclusive Volunteer Programs Intern in the Volunteer Services Office (VSO) of the Public Affairs & Community Partnerships Division (PACP) to help support the stewardship of 424 parks and 490 miles of streams through volunteer administration, program coordination, public outreach, and watershed education.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:
We welcome applicants who reflect the diversity of our community and can help us become a more inclusive place for staff and visitors. Montgomery County Department of Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery County Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology or status as a Veteran.

THE VOLUNTEER SERVICES OFFICE:
The Volunteer Services Office provides central coordination and management of volunteer and community service programs. Functions include planning and consultation, recruitment, outreach, screening, training, recognition, data collection and management, and evaluation. Volunteer resources include students, corporate partners, and traditional volunteers.  The Volunteer Services Office is a key liaison between Montgomery Parks staff and various volunteer and community-based groups countrywide. These include friends groups, watershed groups, non-profit organizations, and volunteer groups that work with Parks on annual projects or seasonal programs while providing participants with valuable volunteer experiences.
Additionally, the Volunteer Services Office is responsible for fulfilling the water quality public involvement and participation requirement under the Department’s NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) MS4 permit through the direct development and implementation of park service projects.
 
JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Inclusive Volunteer Programs Intern will work with the volunteer services team supervised by the Watershed Cleanups Coordinator on park community service efforts across Montgomery County Parks. The intern will support the Montgomery Parks Watershed Cleanups Program by leading cleanup events and assisting
with administration, correspondence, and inclusive engagement, especially with youth-focused organizations and participants from under-represented communities. The Intern will also support additional park volunteer programs, projects, and events such as Latino Conservation Week, non-native invasive plant removal, biological monitoring and community outreach. A key responsibility will be supervising two high school interns from Liberty’s Promise, a non-profit organization that serves youth who are low-income, first-generation and/or recently migrated to the United States. These high school interns will provide support to intern and staff led projects and events for eight weeks. A successful candidate has experience working with participants from various backgrounds, ages, and abilities (physical, developmental, behavioral, etc.), has previous volunteer experience, and has knowledge of environmental stewardship principles. Additional duties include supply distribution, research, site evaluations, data reporting, development of educational resources, and other duties as assigned

A successful candidate works well independently and as part of a team, is organized, and has interest and knowledge in one or more of the following fields:

  • Volunteer service
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion
  • Public outreach
  • Parks & recreation
  • Program administration
  • Environmental & social justice
  • Environmental education
  1. Watershed science
  2. Stormwater pollution
  3. Litter issues
  4. Stream ecology
  5. Recycling

 

Examples of Important Duties

The successful candidate will support the Volunteer Services Office and its Watershed Cleanups program as described in the above Job Description and is expected to:

  1. Support the Montgomery Parks Watershed Cleanups Program by leading cleanup events and assisting with administration, correspondence, and inclusive engagement.
  2. With a focus on youth, engage participants from under-represented communities into service projects and environmental education opportunities.
  3. Assist and lead high school interns from Liberty’s Promise, a non-profit organization that serves youth who are low-income, first-generation and/or recently migrated to the United States.
  4. Support additional park volunteer programs, projects, and events such as Latino Conservation Week, non-native invasive plant removal, biological monitoring and community outreach.
  5. Work with participants from various backgrounds and abilities (physical, developmental, behavioral, etc)
  6. Provide excellent customer service when corresponding with volunteers and partners by email, phone, or in person.
  7. Represent Montgomery Parks at special community events and promote volunteer programs.
  8. Work at our Wheaton Headquarters office building and on the field at parks and stream valleys.
  9. Assist with supply distribution, research, site evaluations, data reporting, development of educational resources, and other duties as assigned (other duties may include outdoor recreation/kayak programs).

Upon selection, the Inclusive Volunteer Programs Intern will discuss program specifics, project focus and scheduling with the intern supervisor.

 

Minimum Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

  1. Background and interest in community service, environmental education, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, public outreach, parks and recreation, watershed science, stream ecology, and/or data management/reporting.
  2. Ability to complete tasks both independently under minimal supervision and as part of a team while following directions, paying attention to details, and working within deadlines.
  3. Previous experience as a volunteer.
  4. Previous experience working with youth from diverse ages, backgrounds and abilities.
  5. General computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Outlook. Ability to use and learn apps and mapping software.
  6. Ability to learn and present information.
  7. Ability to engage with Montgomery County’s diverse population of volunteers, park visitors and program participants; competency in Spanish or a second language is highly preferred.

REQUIREMENTS:

  1. Position will be filled at either the undergraduate (Intern I, pay rate $17-19/hr.) or graduate (Intern II, pay rate $19-21/hr.) level, dependent upon education and experience. The position is also open to candidates who are within 6 months of graduation.
  2. Must be willing to undergo and successfully pass a background screening and comply with M-NCPPC/ Montgomery Parks COVID-19 protocols and procedures.
  3. Available for a minimum of 20 hours/week for 12 weeks. Must be willing to work occasional weekends.
  4. Capacity to complete fieldwork as well as telework when requested. Equipment and instruction for teleworking will be provided.
  5. Ability to work outdoors, under somewhat arduous field conditions, for up to 3 hours and walk 1-2 miles depending on the site. This includes working in streams with slippery and/or unstable substrate.
  6. Must be able to carry items ranging from 10-40 pounds; must be able to use plant cutting tools.
  7. Minimum age: 18 years old.
  8. Valid driver’s license.

 

Supplemental Information

TRAINING:
Orientation to the Department of Parks and the Volunteer Services Office will be provided by staff. Specific project requirements will be discussed with supervisory staff members.
Additional training topics include volunteer management in parks, GIS software, safety in the field, public engagement, environment/watershed education resources, non-native invasive removal, and an online Defensive Driving course.

COMMENTS:
To be considered, please complete application with supplemental questions included and upload cover letter as part of the submission. Unofficial transcripts preferred, but not required.
For more information, please visit our program’s websites at:
https://montgomeryparks.org/support/volunteer/stream-park-cleanups/

https://montgomeryparks.org/support/volunteer/

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

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.