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Natural Resources Intern

Montgomery Parks Maryland
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The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Montgomery County Department of Parks is offering two paid Natural Resources Internships to candidates eager to monitor stream health and protect waterways from pollution.

Natural Resources Interns work alongside specialists in the Resource Analysis Section of the Park Planning and Stewardship Division to implement a variety of biological monitoring, stream restoration, stormwater management, and GIS projects. The seasonal internship will run from Mid-May through August 2023 with hours between 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Positions will be filled at the undergraduate (Intern I, pay rate $18.50/hr.) or graduate (Intern II, pay rate $20.45/hr.) level. Interested candidates should review position details and apply by March 1st.

Description

Are you a motivated and hardworking individual looking to work as part of a team to monitor stream health and protect our waterways from pollution? Are you eager to spend your summer gaining hands-on field and science communication experience alongside qualified natural resources specialists? If so, a Seasonal Natural Resources Internship with Montgomery Parks in the Resource Analysis Section of the Park Planning and Stewardship Division (PPSD) is just the role for you!
 
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a six-time National Recreation and Parks Association Gold Medal Award Winner, has a career staff complement of nearly 800 employees and we serve a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC area. We manage 421 parks on more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/. 
 
We are seeking team-oriented, outdoorsy individuals to be involved in stream biological monitoring, stormwater management initiatives, ecological restorations, and environmental project reviews that contribute to assessing, managing, and improving water quality on Montgomery County Parkland. This position involves a mix of field data collection, office, and laboratory responsibilities.
 
Experiences and skills acquired through this internship will help prepare participants for professional positions and will complement undergraduate or graduate studies in related fields such as:
  • Aquatic ecology, including fisheries, entomology, and herpetology 
  • Stream and wetland restoration
  • Watershed monitoring and assessment
  • Stormwater pollution prevention, management, and permitting 
  • Geospatial analysis (ArcGIS, QGIS, etc.) 

Position duration is Mid-May through August 2023, dependent upon availability. This part-time position is limited to 37.5 hours per week and scheduled Monday through Friday within core hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm; occasional daytime weekday hours may be required outside of this range.

Positions will be filled at the undergraduate (Intern I, pay rate $18.50 per hour) or graduate (Intern II, pay rate $20.45 per hour) level. Up to two candidates will be selected.

Location:
This internship is located at the Wheaton Headquarters (2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD 20902).

Training:
Orientation to the Department of Parks and the Park Planning & Stewardship Division will be provided by staff. Specific project requirements will be discussed with supervisory staff members. Field equipment and techniques will be demonstrated by the project supervisor. Successful completion of an online Defensive Driving course will be required.

 This internship includes the opportunity to attend Maryland Biological Stream Survey (MBSS) summer training, schedules permitting (https://dnr.maryland.gov/streams/Pages/mbsstraining.aspx).

For more information on aquatic resources in Montgomery Parks, please visit our program websites at:

Examples of Important Duties

  1. Serve as a biological monitoring crew member by assisting with collection and identification of fish and herpetofauna using electrofishing equipment and conducting stream habitat assessments, including identification of non-native invasive (NNI) riparian plants and collection of stream water chemistry data.
  2. Process benthic macroinvertebrate samples, calibrate equipment, and perform other laboratory duties, as assigned.
  3. Participate in field visits to walk stream restoration project extents and assess stormwater outfall stability.
  4. Support investigations of storm drain systems for illicit discharge in support of Montgomery Parks’ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) stormwater permit.
  5. Assist with the implementation of pollution reduction strategies through the development of Good Housekeeping Plans in support of Montgomery Parks’ NPDES MS4 stormwater permit.
  6. Assist with pollution investigations and response.
  7. Develop social media content to educate the public on species identification, field facts, pollution reduction strategies, and other work program highlights. 
  8. Use ArcGIS and Field Maps to capture and interpret spatial data in the field and perform analyses. 
  9. Deliver a capstone presentation to Parks staff and leadership at the conclusion of the position.

Minimum Qualifications

  1. Applicants must be currently enrolled in, or graduated from, an academic program related to environmental studies, natural resources management, GIS, or a related field. Intern I candidates will have undergraduate coursework in progress or hold a completed degree; Intern II candidates will be enrolled in or have recently completed a Graduate Degree. 
  2. Previous experience in field data collection and Microsoft Office (particularly Excel) through college-level courses and/or previous work experience required. Previous experience in ArcGIS software and R/RStudio preferred.
  3. Ability to complete tasks both independently and under supervision as part of a team, while following protocols and paying close attention to detail, desired.
  4. Minimum age: 18 years of age.

Application Instructions:
  • To be considered, please complete Application with Supplemental Questions (below) included.
  • Upload cover letter as part of the submission. 
  • Unofficial transcripts preferred, but not required. 
  • Capacity to complete fieldwork is required. If teleworking is mandated by Commission Policy, equipment and instruction will be provided. 

Supplemental Information
Working Conditions:
  • Punctual morning arrival within a prearranged schedule Monday through Friday, not to exceed 37.5 hours per week.
  • Daily laboratory and equipment gathering, maintenance, and loading/unloading tasks are required including lifting supplies weighing up to 50 lbs. 
  • Applicants should be prepared to spend considerable time outside working under somewhat arduous field conditions (e.g., sun, heat, insects), including walking significant distances while carrying cumbersome equipment and working in fast-flowing water with slippery and/or unstable substrate. Lug sole waders and other protective gear are provided. 
  • Biological monitoring involves the capture and transfer of stunned fish, crayfish, amphibians, and reptiles using nets and buckets prior to sample processing and release. 
  • Benthic macroinvertebrate subsampling includes handling samples preserved in denatured ethanol, picking organisms out of a tray with precision forceps, and using a dissecting microscope in an Aquatics Laboratory.
  • Frequent use of multiple technical equipment and software applications in an office setting for processing data, assisting with tasks that support Montgomery Parks’ stormwater permit, and working on a capstone presentation to be presented at the end of the summer. 

This position does not qualify for Career benefits; housing is not provided.

Selected candidates must be willing to undergo and successfully pass a background screening and must comply with M-NCPPC COVID-19 protocols and procedures.

Persons hired for our agency must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination (with limited religious or medical exceptions).

Diversity Statement: 
Montgomery County Department of Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions of the organization supports and bolsters the innovative thinking essential to its success. Montgomery County Parks does not make hiring decisions on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, political affiliation, or ideology or status as a Veteran.
 
Agency
The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission
Address
7833 Walker Drive
Suite 425
Greenbelt, Maryland, 20770
Phone
301-454-1411
Website