What are the responsibilities and job description for the Community Outreach Fellow position at The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission?
Are you passionate about building inclusive communities? Join Brookside Gardens as a Community Outreach Fellow and lead projects that foster connection, accessibility, and engagement across diverse audiences!
Brookside Gardens offers a one-year Community Outreach Fellow program focused on promoting inclusion, accessibility, and community engagement through independent research and collaborative projects. The incoming fellow will select a research topic which will conclude with a capstone project, integrating the knowledge and skills the fellow has gained in the field through interactions with staff, public and community stakeholders. Topics for the project must revolve around: community engagement and encouraging positive interactions among people of different backgrounds and interests. Project topics may be generated by the Fellow or suggested by Brookside Gardens leadership. Montgomery Parks believes that diversity in all dimensions bolsters innovative thinking essential to its success. We encourage all individuals to apply.
While the organization supports flexibility where possible, this role requires consistent in-person engagement with community members at events and locations across Montgomery Parks and throughout Montgomery County. Therefore, remote work is not feasible for this position.
About the HFEE Division and Brookside Gardens
The Horticulture, Forestry, and Environmental Education (HFEE) Division contributes to the preservation and maintenance of our parks’ natural and cultural resources. Brookside Gardens is one of Park’s public gardens, displaying horticultural exhibits that are designed, installed, and maintained using ecological landscape practices as a model and inspiration to more than a million visitors per year. Our public gardens offer a wide variety of educational programs for children and adults are planned to excite curiosity and encourage lifelong learning, with the vision of mobilizing residents of Montgomery County as dedicated stewards of the natural world.
Learn More About Brookside Gardens: https://montgomeryparks.org/parks-and-trails/brookside-gardens/
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks is an award-winning park system and part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC). Supported by more than 800 dedicated employees, we care for 416 parks, trails, and natural spaces across Montgomery County, with team members working in a wide range of roles including park operations, public programs, planning, public safety, and administration. Our work is visible in everyday moments, from safe, well-maintained trails to welcoming parks and community programs. Careers with Montgomery Parks offer purpose, stability, and the opportunity to make a visible, lasting impact where people live, work, and connect.
Learn more About Montgomery Parks: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/
Support efforts to make Brookside Gardens programs and volunteer opportunities accessible and welcoming to a wide range of community members.
Build connections and raise awareness by networking with other public gardens, nonprofit organizations, schools, and government partners.
Help develop partnerships and collaborative projects that reflect shared goals and make good use of partner expertise and resources.
Develop outreach initiatives that serve distinct social connection needs, and encourage positive interactions, among people of different backgrounds and interests
Serve as a visible and positive representative of Brookside Gardens in the community.
Help engage Montgomery County residents through in-person outreach, events, and other communication efforts.
Minimum Qualifications
High School diploma or GED.
One year of customer service experience
Applicants must be at least 18 years or older
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in community engagement and outreach.
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 of the position.
Important Skills and Characteristics
Excellent interpersonal communication skills and the ability to work with community members and co-workers.
Comfortable engaging with the public in formal and informal settings.
Strong planning, decision-making, and evaluation skills.
Ability to exercise good judgement
Ability to understand and follow detailed instructions
Ability to utilize a computer
Attentive to detail, responsible, and personable
May be subject to medical, drug and alcohol testing.
Working Conditions
Primarily works indoors.
Must be able to sit for a duration.
Works independently and as part of a team.
Works primarily Monday through Friday, some evenings and weekends required.
Local travel within Montgomery County is required.
Additional Information
This position is not eligible for benefits.
A fingerprinting and background investigation will be completed prior to hire.
Additional duties and full list of Job Description available upon request.
Applicants with Disabilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
If you require accommodations or special arrangements due to a qualifying disability, please notify the Recruitment & Selections Services Unit at the time of applications at or 301-454-1411 (Maryland Relay 7-1-1)
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.