Weekend Birthday Party Naturalist

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission•Rockville, MD

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Meadowside Nature Center is hiring a part-time, year-round Weekend Birthday Party Naturalist based at its facility in Rockville, Maryland. The position delivers engaging birthday-party programs for a range of audiences and helps manage reservations, including explaining and supporting compliance with nature center rules and directing guests to the party room. The naturalist also staffs the information desk, answers visitors’ questions, and helps keep exhibits and outdoor areas clean, organized, and safe. Depending on instructor availability and requests from the Manager, the role may also assist with campfire rentals, summer camps, and evening weekday hikes or programs. The regular weekend schedule is Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; actual hours may vary from 4 to 16 per weekend based on reservations and public program requests. Candidates should be available at least three weekends per month and able to commit availability up to three months in advance. Pay is $18 per hour. The position is not eligible for benefits. A background investigation is completed before hire; medical, drug, and alcohol testing may also apply. Meadowside Nature Center is part of Montgomery County Parks, operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. The center offers interactive exhibits about local habitats, cares for animal ambassadors including reptiles, amphibians, and birds of prey, and provides interpretive programs for the public, schools, and special groups.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Ability to lift 40 pounds and hike up to 3 miles on uneven terrain.
Availability to work at least three weekends per month.
Comfort handling live animals, including snakes.
Comfort working outdoors year-round, including in inclement weather and around outdoor natural hazards.

Nice To Haves

CPR/first aid certification, or ability to become certified within six months through Parks’ trainings.
Some knowledge of Maryland natural history.
Spanish as a second language; bilingual ability is a plus.

Responsibilities

Deliver pre-planned birthday-party programs, which may include hikes, nature scavenger hunts, nature art, and live-animal introductions.
Adapt programs as appropriate to participants’ ages, physical and mental abilities, and knowledge of the subject.
Learn and perform basic care and interpretive activities with live animals, including toads, turtles, and snakes.
Help facilitate birthday-party reservations, reinforce nature center rules, and direct guests to the party room.
Staff the nature center’s front desk during Saturday open hours.
Answer visitors’ questions about trails, exhibits, park rules, and Meadowside Nature Center programs.
Keep indoor exhibits and outdoor spaces clean, organized, and safe for visitors.
Communicate courteously and accurately with visitors, program participants, volunteers, and coworkers from diverse backgrounds.
Work independently and collaboratively with other naturalists and volunteers.
Learn to build and maintain a campfire.
Assist with campfire rentals, summer camps, and evening weekday hikes or programs when instructor availability and Manager requests allow.