Introduction
Long-Term Contractual; 4 vacancies
GRADE
ASTD10
LOCATION OF POSITION
Merkle NRMA, 11704 Fenno Road, Upper Marlboro MD 20772 (Prince George’s County)
Main Purpose of Job
The Park Tech Trainee will be a member of the Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) located
at the Merkle Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) in Prince George’s county,
MD. Work will primarily take place at Merkle NRMA, Cedarville State Forest, Smallwood
State Park, and Calvert Cliffs State Park; however statewide travel will be required for
projects and trainings for up to one week at a time. VCC Members may assist other DNR
agencies (Forestry, Chesapeake & Coastal, etc.) with conservation related projects on public
lands.
The Veterans Conservation Corps performs park maintenance, natural resource management,
and repair of grounds, facilities and equipment. VCC Crew Members complete conservation
projects in areas such as recreation enhancement, park operations, habitat restoration, and
trail maintenance, building and construction. Previous VCC projects have included: tree
plantings, native plant plantings, invasive species removal, trail maintenance and
construction, fence building, bulletin board construction and painting. VCC Crew Members
will also work with park staff on park improvement projects, educational components, job
skills training and assist with outreach events.
VCC member works under close supervision of the VCC Crew Leader, State Park Ranger,
and State Park Ranger Supervisor in order to learn skills and standard practices for required
duties throughout the parks. VCC member may be responsible for leading and assistance of
volunteers and youth corps performing maintenance projects and work in the parks.
Employee may also assists with daily park operations, including opening and closing park
facilities, assisting visitors’ needs, and helping with special events.
This position requires a basic knowledge of land management practices, landscaping
equipment maintenance/repair/use, hand tool use, maintenance and safety, basic wildlife
species identification, vehicle maintenance/repair/use, and current conservation goals and
practices that align with the mission of the Maryland Park Service.
POSITION DUTIES
The Maryland Park Service is accepting applications for four (4) long-term contractual Park Technician Trainee positions that will serve as Veteran Conservation Corps (VCC)Crew Members. The successful applicants will work together in a team setting as members of the Veterans Conservation Corps located at Merkle Natural Resources Management Area in Prince George’s County Maryland. Work will primarily take place at state parks. However, overnight statewide travel will be required for projects and trainings for up to one week at a time. VCC members may assist other DNR agencies (Forestry, Chesapeake & Coastal, etc.) with conservation-related projects on public lands.
The Veterans Conservation Corps performs park maintenance and repair of grounds, facilities and equipment. The VCC is involved with natural resource management and maintenance activities within the parks. VCC crew members complete conservation projects in areas such as recreation enhancement, park operations, habitat restoration, and trail maintenance, building and construction. Previous VCC projects have included: tree plantings, native plant plantings, invasive species removal, trail maintenance and construction, fence building, bulletin board construction and painting. VCC crew members will also work with park staff on park improvement projects, educational components, job skills training and assist with outreach events.
Duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Complete conservation, restoration and maintenance projects on public lands
- Serve as a role model to other veterans
- Accept responsibility for any assigned tools, equipment and vehicles
- Plan and implement daily schedules
- Speak to the public, community groups, school groups, organizations, and media to plan, developed deliver programs.
Candidates will be working outdoors in a variety of weather conditions and must be in good physical condition. These positions will require working weekends and holidays. Candidates may be subject to call-in status.
Applicants must have the ability to follow verbal and written instructions, work independently with limited supervision, communicate effectively orally and in writing, and must possess a strong desire to work with the public. Applicants must adhere to all State and Federal laws, safety regulations, and must understand and adhere to all park policies.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: None.
Note: Candidates may substitute experience in the skilled maintenance or construction trades, e.g. Electrician, Plumber or experience in the maintenance of a park, forest or wildlife facility at the rate of one year experience for one year of education up to a maximum of four years of the required education.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Prior service in the U.S. Armed Forces. If claiming military service, DD Form 214 may be required prior to accepting employment.
- Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. repeatedly and use hand tools (these are often heavy tools like pulaskis, sledge hammers and chainsaws, etc.)
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties, which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. Some positions in this classification are assigned duties which may require the candidates to be examined by a Physician. After an offer of employment, candidates for such positions will be given a medical examination to certify the ability to perform the essential job functions.
2. Upon permanent appointment, employees in this classification may be required to reside in the county, region, or park to which they are assigned.
3. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require a valid operator license for heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, back-hoes, payloaders or tractors.
4. Employees in this classification are subject to call-in on a 24-hour a day basis and will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number listed in the agency’s telephone directory or on file with Forest, Park and Wildlife Communication Centers in case of emergencies.
5. Employees in this classification may be required to attend training and be certified as a water plant operator.
6. Employees in this classification may be required to lift objects weighing up to 40 or more pounds.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.
For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.
BENEFITS
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.
Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at
Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.
