What are the responsibilities and job description for the Park Volunteer Programs Intern position at The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission?
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 Park 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 Volunteer Program by leading service projects and assisting with administration, correspondence, and inclusive engagement. The intern will help guide two high school summer interns from Liberty's Promise, a non-profit organization that serves youth who are first-generation and/or recently migrated to the United States. The team will assist with cleanups, non-native invasive removal projects, and special events. A successful candidate has experience leading outdoor service projects, has knowledge of environmental stewardship, and can work with volunteers from diverse backgrounds and abilities. Additional duties include supply distribution, office administration, 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
Parks & recreation
Program administration
Environmental education & awareness
Community partnerships
Public outreach
Stormwater pollution prevention
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:
Support the Montgomery Parks Watershed Cleanups Program by leading cleanup events and assisting with administration, correspondence, and inclusive engagement.
With a focus on youth, engage participants from under-represented communities into service projects and environmental education opportunities.
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.
Support park programs and events such as Weed Warriors, Latino Conservation Week, Weed Warrior workdays, biological monitoring and community outreach.
Work with participants from various backgrounds and abilities (physical, developmental, behavioral, etc.)
Provide excellent customer service when corresponding with volunteers and partner organizations by email, phone, or in person.
Represent Montgomery Parks at special events and promote volunteer programs.
Work at our Wheaton Headquarters office building and on the field at parks and stream valleys.
Assist with cleanup supply station upkeep, research, site evaluations, data reporting with GIS, development of educational resources, and other duties as assigned.
Upon selection, the Park Volunteer Programs Intern will discuss program specifics, project focus and scheduling with the intern supervisor.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Background and interest in community service, parks and recreation, environmental education, diversity, equity and inclusion, community engagement, public outreach, and/or data management/reporting.
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.
Previous experience participating or leading outdoor volunteer projects.
General computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office, particularly Microsoft Outlook and Microsoft Word. Ability to learn GIS mapping software is preferred.
Ability to learn and present information.
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.
Valid driver’s license preferred.
REQUIREMENTS:
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate program or be within 6 months of graduation.
Must be willing to undergo and successfully pass a background screening
Available for 10-20 hours/week from June to October. Must be willing to work weekends.
Capacity to complete fieldwork as well as telework when requested. Equipment and instruction for teleworking will be provided.
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.
Must be able to carry items ranging from 5-30 pounds; must be able to use plant cutting tools.
Minimum age: 18 years old.
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.
Position will be filled at either the undergraduate (Intern I, pay rate $16.50-19/hr.) or graduate (Intern II, pay rate $18-21/hr.) level, dependent upon education and experience. The position is also open to candidates who are within 6 months of graduation.
To be considered, please complete application with supplemental questions included and upload cover letter as part of the submission. Unofficial transcripts is required.
For more information, please visit our program’s websites at:
https://montgomeryparks.org/support/volunteer/stream-park-cleanups/
https://montgomeryparks.org/support/volunteer/
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.
Salary : $17 - $21
