Naturalist Aide, Seasonal

~ The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a bi-county agency empowered by the State of Maryland in 1927 to acquire, develop, maintain and administer a regional system of parks within Montgomery and Prince George's Counties, and to provide land use planning for the physical development of Prince George's and Montgomery counties. In addition, the agency gained responsibility for the public recreation program in Prince George's County in 1970. ~

M-NCPPC administers a park system of more than 52,000 acres. It is composed of stream valley parks, large regional parks, neighborhood parks and park-school recreation areas. Its staff of career employees includes planners, park and recreation administrators, park police and administration staff. In addition, seasonal workers staff numerous park and recreation programs.

Position Overview

The Montgomery County Department of Parks, Horticulture, Forestry and Environmental Education Division, is currently seeking Seasonal/Intermittent applicants to fill a Naturalist Aide position in Meadowside Nature Center. 

Meadowside Nature Center provides visitors the opportunity to experience nature and enhance their environmental literacy through interpretive programming, interactive exhibits, native gardens, trails, and to learn about and observe permanently injured, non-releasable birds of prey. Meadowside welcomes visitors of over 60,000 and conducts Naturalist led programs to over 10,000 people a year.
 
Internship Program for High School Students at Meadowside Nature Center:

Meadowside Nature Center offers hands-on natural and cultural history programs for families, schools, and scouts. The Center is home to several non-releasable birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates that are the focus of many of the Center's programs. The Meadowside INTERNSHIP PROGRAM for HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS is designed for a student interested in learning about the operations of an environmental education center, including the care and management of captive wildlife. The internship offers a link between a student's interest and scholastic activities and meaningful workplace experiences.

As a Naturalist Aide Intern, you will be paired with a Meadowside naturalist who will provide an orientation, student work plan, training, supervision and will periodically evaluate the intern and provide feedback.

Examples of Important Duties

Duties and responsibilities of the Naturalist Aide Intern include but not limited to:

• Learn about the natural history and care of our resident raptors, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Interns assist with feeding, cleaning and enrichment.
• Provide non-formal animal talks/encounters for nature center visitors.
• Help staff prepare and conduct programs, develop instructional material and activities for use in programming and summer camps, and assist with special events.
• Research ideas for display exhibits and interpretive strategies.
• Update the Center's seasonal bulletin boards and handout calendars.
• Opportunities may exist for site visits to other locations within the Park system.

Minimum Qualifications

Student Eligibility and Qualifications:

• Meadowside Nature Center requires interns to be rising Juniors or Seniors with an interest in the natural world, good communication skills, and their own transportation.
• This internship is for academic credit and covers two class periods (8 hours) per week. In addition to adhering to Meadowside's protocols and procedures, an intern will follow all guidelines and procedures outlined by their School Internship Coordinator.
• A selected student will undergo a background check once they are accepted into the program.
• The selected student must be able to obtain a Work Permit.
• Student must be at least 16 years old.

Compensation