Seasonal Naturalist

Seasonal Naturalist

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Cloverly, MD

Job Type

Seasonal

Job Number

SN.MNC26

Department

MC Parks

Division

Horticulture Frstry and Env Ed

Opening Date

06/11/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Description

• Are you an outgoing person passionate about protecting public lands and building co
• 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' Maydale Nature Classroom, located in Cloverly/Silver Spring, Maryland, is the place you want to be!

We are currently seeking a Seasonal Park Naturalist to create original content and lead programs for the public. This position will work as part of the Maydale Nature Center 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 2 weekends per month to lead public programming. The schedule may vary from 2 - 8 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.

Maydale Nature Classroom is owned and operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in Montgomery County, Maryland. Maydale Nature Classroom provides interpretive programming for the public, schools, and special groups. Maydale specializes connecting community members with one another and the natural world!

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

• Creates original nature-focused programs for the public and private groups. Programs may include hikes, campfire building, nature scavenger hunts, ecological themes and more.
• Develops program descriptions for seasonal program submissions.
• Submits purchase requests for program supplies in a timely manor.
• Learns how to operate our registration system to pull program registration lists, communicate with program participants, and assist with registration and refunds when needed.
• 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 Maydale Nature Classroom Staff on other programming and special events.
• As requested, attends Maydale and Brookside Nature Center staff meetings and division-wide interpretation meetings and provides input.

Site Assistance

• Works with other staff to make sure the Nature Classroom is 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 creating and leading educational programs for a variety of audiences and ages.Knowledge of Maryland natural history.
• Experience with campfire building and campfire safet· Available at least 2 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 Settings, may be exposed to inclement weather and outdoor hazards

Work is may be scheduled during weekends, evenings, and holidays and will vary from 2-8 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.

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

2026 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

Do you have a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

02

Describe any experience you have with creating educational programs for the public.

03

How do you handle stressful situations? Please give an example of a challenging situation you faced and how you resolved it.

Required Question

Employer The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission

Address 6611 Kenilworth Ave

Riverdale, Maryland, 20737

Website https://www.mncppc.org/jobs