Urban Forester Intern

Description

• Do you enjoy working in nature and passionate about trees?
• Are you looking to get hands on experience in the tree care profession in a safe and fun environment?
  
  

We are currently seeking a dynamic, highly organized, undergraduate Urban Forestry Intern for our Arboriculture Program.

The internship program runs between June 2nd – August 7, 2025, with the time commitment of 25 hours per week for 10 weeks. The work schedule for this internship will be Monday-Thursday, 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM.

The successful internship candidate will have the opportunity to collect and analyze tree inventory data for the recently planted landscape tree plantings. The selected candidate will gain experience and knowledge of a wide range of tree care knowledge that can be applied in a wide variety of careers in the green industry. This role requires both administrative work to be performed indoors and physical work to be performed outdoors. Go to our website to learn more about the Arboriculture: https://montgomeryparks.org/about/divisions/arboriculture/

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, 421 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/

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

Examples of Important Duties

• Tree Inventory Survivorship Study: Becomes familiar with tree inventory data collection and analysis; learns how to accurately locate individual trees using an advanced GNSS system, learn to assess the condition of young trees, and gains experience in the field utilizing TreeKeeper8 Urban Forestry Management Software.
• Tree Identification: Learns the techniques and procedures for identifying common landscape tree species in Montgomery Parks. Uses tree inventory software to verify and correct tree species information for the 2025 Survivorship Study.
• Tree Health Assessment: Learns to identify common tree defects and conditions that may impact a tree’s long-term or short-term health.
• Tree Risk Inspections: Learns how to identify potential hazards, from trees to park patrons or property. Learns how to use the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Risk Inspection procedure.
• Young Tree Care: Learns how to provide care for young trees through mulching, watering, and structure pruning using hand tools.
• Data Analysis: Learns how to analyze and present tree inventory data using GIS, Microsoft Excel, and PowerBi.
• Urban Forestry Management: Learns about the different work programs implemented by our Urban Forestry section to gain an understanding of how the urban forests within Montgomery Parks are managed.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Current enrollment in an undergraduate-level program focusing on Forestry, Horticulture, Arboriculture, Environmental Science, or any related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and Adobe Suite.
• GIS experience or coursework.
• Passion for learning new and varied skills relevant to tree care operations; ability to work with others in a team-setting.
• Superb written, verbal, organizational and interpersonal skills. Proficient in office software (MS Office), communicating (email), word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, and researching (Internet).
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and qualify to drive Commission vehicles to locations within Montgomery County and/or as directed.
• Ability to communicate in another language a plus.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and at least Junior class standing.
• Students must be currently enrolled full-time at an accredited college, university, or trade school.
• College/University students must submit a college transcript. An unofficial transcript is unacceptable.
• Must provide references from past supervisors and/or professors.
• Must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
  
  

Supplemental Information

Working Conditions:

Work in this position is performed both indoors and outdoors. When working indoors, works in an office setting. When working outdoors, may be exposed to a variety of weather conditions. Work may require long periods of standing and walking, and recurring bending, stooping, reaching and similar activities. Work may also include frequent lifting of moderately heavy items weighing less than 49 pounds. Work involves exposure to weather, dirt, waste, odors, chemicals, pesticides, wildlife and insects. Work requires special safety precautions or protective clothing and equipment.

A criminal background investigation will be completed prior to hire.

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.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2025 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR SEASONAL INTERMITTENT EMPLOYEES

The following information is a summary of benefits extended to all Seasonal employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). This is for informational purposes only and is subject to change.

Limited Benefits For Seasonal Employees

Health Insurance Plans

You are eligible for specific health insurance benefits if you worked, on average, 30 hours per week during your first 12 months of employment or from October 3rd to October 2nd each subsequent period following your first 12 months of employment. This equates to 1,560 hours over a 12-month period.

If and when you are eligible for benefits, you will receive notification directly from the Health & Benefits Office.

Eligible Employees Pay 35% of the health insurance plan premium and The Commission Pays 65%.

• Medical
• Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan
• UnitedHealthcare Select Plan (EPO)
• Prescription: CVS Caremark Prescription Plan
  

Other Benefits

• Credit Union
• Sick Leave Benefits
  
  

This summary is intended to highlight some of the benefits offered by the M-NCPPC. It is not an all-inclusive agreement and is subject to change. For a more detailed description of benefits, please see the appropriate benefits brochure, service agreement or manual. For more information, contact The Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.

01

Describe a situation where you tried to solve a problem with a totally different approach than is normally used. What was the result?

02

When deciding how to organize your work, how do you assess what tasks need to be given priority?

• Required Question