Description

• Are you an outgoing person passionate about protecting public lands and building community?
• Do you want to help people of all ages connect to nature?
• Do you like leading educational and engaging programs?

If this sounds like you, Montgomery Parks’ Brookside Nature Center, located in Wheaton, Maryland, is the place you want to be!

We are currently seeking a Birthday Party Program Leader & Nature Center Host to lead birthday parties, staff the front desk of the Nature Center during open hours, facilitate campfire rentals, and assist with other educational programming at Brookside Nature Center. This position will work as part of our team to deliver exceptional and engaging educational programs and events for a wide range of audiences.

This position is part-time, year-round, and predominately works on weekends. The ideal candidate is available at least 3 weekend per month, and the schedule may vary from 5-15 hours per week. The schedule of specific dates and times is flexible – based on instructor availability and programming requests from the public. Weekly hours will vary dependent on program demand.

Brookside Nature Center is situated in Wheaton Regional Park, which is owned and operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County, Maryland. Brookside Nature Center provides interpretive programming for the public, schools, and special groups. BNC specializes connecting community members with one another and the natural world around them!

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/

For more information about the Seasonal Hiring process and application status for Montgomery County, please contact mcp-parkscareers@montgomeryparks.org.

Examples of Important Duties

What The Job Will Involve

Nature Education Programs

• Delivers pre-planned programs to groups, specifically birthday party programs. Programs may include hikes, campfire building, nature scavenger hunts, ecological themes and more.
• Communicates with Private Party Coordinator any needed supplies and records participant numbers in the Nature Center program reporting form.
• 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, or abilities, and initial knowledge of the topic.
• As requested, collaborates with the Brookside Nature Center Naturalists on other programming, staff meetings, and special events.
• As requested, attends Brookside Nature Center staff meetings and division-wide interpretation meetings and provides input.

Welcome Desk Host

• As needed, staffs the front desk of the Nature Center during open hours on Saturday and Sunday.
• Answers visitors' questions on trails, pavilion and boat rentals, park rules, and programs at Brookside Nature Center.
• Works with front desk volunteers to make the Nature Center an enjoyable and welcoming place for all visitors.
• Ensures indoor and outdoor spaces are clean, organized, and safe for visitors at the start and end of each day.
• Communicates with visitors, program participants, volunteers, and co-workers courteously and accurately.

Minimum Qualifications

Important Skills and Characteristics

• A positive attitude, strong initiative, and exemplary customer service skills.
• Skilled in collaboration, adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving.
• Skilled in effectively communicating concepts so that others can understand them.
• Experience and/or ability to work and interact well with people of diverse backgrounds.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading educational programs for a variety of audiences and ages.
• Knowledge of Maryland natural history.
• Experience with campfire building and campfire safety.
• Boating experience – kayaking and/or driving boats.
• Available at least 4 weekend dates per month for scheduling programs.
• CPR/AED and First Aid Certified.
• Ability to communicate in another language is a plus.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Two (2) years of experience in Customer Service, Education, or Interpretation, or as a Naturalist Aide or Camp Counselor.
• An equivalent combination of higher education and experience may be substituted, which together total two (2) years.

Supplemental Information

May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.

Working Conditions

• Works in Outdoor and Indoor Stings, may be exposed to inclement weather and outdoor hazards
• Work is may be scheduled during weekends, evenings, and holidays and will vary from 5-15 hours per week based on programs and the candidate’s availability
• Ability to lift 25 pounds and hike for 3 miles over uneven terrain

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.