Salary: $49,361.00 – $87,419.00 Annually
Location : Upper Marlboro, MD
Job Type: Career
Job Number: 13188
Department: PGC Parks and Recreation
Division: Natural and Historical Res
Opening Date: 06/05/2023
Closing Date: 7/17/2023 11:59 PM Eastern
Description
Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation seeks an experienced, hardworking, and innovative Senior Park Naturalist to assist in leading staff, programs, and facilities at Old Maryland Farm, located in Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, MD. We are looking for a positive and dynamic individual that enjoys engaging with the public, staff, and livestock, and promoting the farm as one of the outstanding farm experiences in the County. Having direct animal care experience with a variety of domestic animals, in particular cattle and equines, is essential for this position.
Old Maryland Farm provides visitors the wonderful opportunity to experience a small farm and improve their agricultural literacy through interpretive programming, live animal exhibits, herb and vegetable gardens, and animal care demonstrations. The farm is an agricultural education facility operating as a public demonstration farm with livestock that include chickens, peafowl, pigs, goats, sheep, horses, cows, and more.
Watkins Regional Park is almost 900 acres and one of the busiest parks in the County with over a million visitors a year. The park has a nature center, ball fields, tennis bubble, impressive imagination playgrounds, nature trails and active agriculture fields. The selected candidate will work closely with the Facility Director on all aspects of OMF’s (Old Maryland Farm) operations, programs, and special events. This position will also assist with educational outreach programs with the school system, other external partners, and internal customers.
Examples of Important Duties
- Responsible for domestic animal care for a variety of farm animals that includes enrichment, feeding, providing medicine, handling, and making sure their enclosures are clean and well maintained. Adheres to state and federal animal welfare regulations and standards. Follow the Department’s internal Animal Care Standard Operating procedures for the site.
- Provides interpretive, recreational, and educational programs to the public. Research subjects and develops program plans. Upon approval, take all necessary steps to complete a program, including: the preparation of presentation materials; aids; and a presenter’s guide. Presents programs of own design or those of others to varied groups. Responds to questions from the groups, explaining natural processes involved.
- Participates in design and development of larger or more extensive programs under direction of higher-level naturalist staff and the Facility Director. Conducts research for programs and develops parts of, or designated aspects of, larger and more extensive programs. Presents or assists in presenting such programs to the public.
- Provides customer service such as responding to guest’s inquiries via email, phone and/or in person regarding Old Maryland Farm (OMF). This can include responding to inquiries regarding the animals, upcoming programs, or questions related to other OMF operations or policies, as well as general questions regarding the entirety of Watkins Regional Park.
- Performs facility operations including opening and closing procedures; checking in with program participants, collects fees and managing customer experiences; monitors building and grounds to ensure safety and security of facilities; observes center cleanliness and makes changes as needed; responds to emergency situations and contacts police, fire, or rescue personnel as appropriate.
- Trains and leads volunteers, interns, and other part-time or occasional staff in work and conservation projects and provides performance assessments of such staff to the Facility Director as requested.
- Participates and supports the development of community festivals and special activities by proposing new activities and program ideas, collecting materials, preparing activities, helping coordinate volunteers for programs and presenting the programs to the public during these events.
- Become proficient in Department software, including Microsoft Office Suite, RecTrac, Lawson, etc.
- Assist with marketing materials, social media posts, and regularly reviews Old Maryland Farms website for accuracy and content.
- Operate vehicles and power equipment including trucks, riding and push mowers, tractors, skid steers, leaf blowers, chain saws, etc.
Working Conditions:
Works in indoor and outdoor settings. Work is scheduled during weekends, evenings, and holidays. Exposed to inclement weather and outdoor hazards. Incumbents in this class must frequently: remain in a stationary position, move about and position self to complete work, communicate and exchange information with internal staff and the public, distinguish between colors and lift objects and equipment weighting up to 50 pounds. Drives to attend various meetings and educational programs. Must be comfortable handling and being around small and large farm animals.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in animal or agricultural science or related field; and four years of progressively responsible farm experience
- Solid understanding of animal husbandry/ standard methodologies. Deep understanding of equine and cattle husbandry a plus.
- Farm management experience (including staffing, animal care, agriculture, and programming). Management of equine and cattle programs a plus.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Science, Life Science, Physical Science or any related field.
- An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total four (4) years.
- Depending on area of assignment, a valid driver’s license in accordance with both State and Commission rules and regulations. Driver’s license must be unencumbered by restrictions, revocations, suspensions, or points that could limit the employee’s ability to drive Commission vehicles or perform driving duties required by the position of assignment.
- Pass Commission medical examination.
Supplemental Information
Classification Specification Senior Park Naturalist
Person(s) hired for this position must provide proof of being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (with limited religious or medical exceptions).
All applicants to this job posting will be considered for this and future Principal Park Naturalist job openings for 6 months or until all qualified candidates have been exhausted from this job posting. At that time, a new job posting may be available for application to future openings.
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. We will do what we can to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.
Please contact us at 301-495-4525 to request accommodation.
THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION
2023 BENEFIT SUMMARY FOR MERIT SYSTEM EMPLOYEES
The following benefit summary is provided for informational purposes only and is not, nor should be construed as an employment agreement with the M-NCPPC, implied or actual. It is not all-inclusive and is subject to change. Benefits listed are extended to all Merit System employees of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). All plans are optional except the Defined Benefit and Long-Term Disability plans.
Eligibility
You have 45 days from your hire date to elect your benefits. Your coverage begins on the first of the month following receipt of your enrollment forms and required documentation.
Retirement Programs
- Defined Benefit Plan (Mandatory Participation) – Plan E excludes FOP members.
Plan: Employee Contribution
Plan C: 9%* of base salary (FOP members only) – *9.5% Effective 4/1/2023
Plan E: 4% of base salary up to maximum Social Security Wage Base (SSWB) and 8% in excess of SSWB.
- Deferred Compensation MissionSquare 457 plan (Optional)
- Traditional and Roth IRAs (Optional)
Health Insurance Plans (FOP Members Pay 23% for Medical, Prescription and Dental and same as all other employees for Vision.) All other employees pay percentage below.
- Medical
- Kaiser Permanente Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) with Prescription Plan – (15%)
- UnitedHealthcare Select Exclusive Provider Organization Health Plan (EPO) – (20%)
- UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus Point of Service (POS) – (20%)
- Low, moderate, and high options are available. Frequency of covered services differs.
Flexible Spending Accounts (Employee Pays 100%)
- Medical Account – Maximum annual contribution: $2,850
- Dependent Care Account – Maximum annual contribution: $5,000
Long-Term Disability Insurance (Mandatory Participation)
- Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80% (FOP Members Pay 100%)
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary, maximum of $6,000/month
Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
- Benefits paid at 66 2/3% of base salary that exceeds $108,000; capped at $216,000
Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Employee Pays 20%: Commission Pays 80%)
- Two (2) times base salary; maximum benefit is $200,000 for each
- Automatic coverage with opt-out provision
Supplemental and Spouse/Dependent Life Insurance (Employee Pays 100%)
- Supplemental – 1,2,3,4, or 5 times base salary; maximum benefit is $750,000
- Spouse/Dependent Combination – $10,000/$5,000, $20,000/$10,000, or $30,000/$15,000
Sick Leave Bank (Contribution and Benefit hours prorated for part-time employees)
- Employees have 60 days from date of hire to enroll.
- Employee contributes 8 leave hours each year
- Annually covers up to 688 hours for own serious medical condition, and 480 hours for parental responsibilities (birthadoption or foster care), and 80-160 hours for serious medical condition of an immediate family member
Leave Programs
- Annual: 15 days per year
- Personal: 3 days per year (12-month waiting period)
- Sick: 15 days per year
- Holidays: 11 days per year
Other Benefits
- Credit Union
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Legal Services Plan
- Tuition Assistance Program
- Wellness Program
- Work-Life Program
For a more detailed description of benefits, please contact the Commission’s Health and Benefits Office at benefits@mncppc.org or 301-454-1694.