Skip to Main Content

State Park Ranger Supervisor

Scales & Tales Program Coordinator

Recruitment #25-002142-0001

Introduction

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

17

LOCATION OF POSITION

Candidates must be willing to work at one of the following Scales and Tales aviary locations weekly, and travel to the remaining sites as necessary to train staff:
  • Assateague State Park, 7307 Stephen Decatur Highway, Berlin MD(Worcester County)
  • Cunningham Falls State Park, 14039 Catoctin Hollow Road, Thurmont MD 21788 (Frederick County)
  • Deep Creek Lake State Park, 898 State Park Road, Swanton MD 21561(Garrett County)
  • Pocomoke River State Park, 3461 Worcester Highway, Snow Hill MD21863 (Worcester County)
  • Rocky Gap State Park, 12500 Pleasant Valley Road, Flintstone MD21530 (Allegany County)
  • Soldiers Delight NEA, 5100 Deep Park Road, Owings Mills MD 21117(Baltimore County)
  • Tuckahoe State Park, 13070 Crouse Mill Road, Queen Anne MD 21657(Queen Anne’s County)

Main Purpose of Job

The primary function of this position is to serve as the statewide program manager for the Scales & Tales program for the Maryland Park Service. This includes planning, organizing, managing, and directing live animal care and management, and programs and initiatives associated with interpretive, informational and educational services of the Maryland Park Service Scale & Tales program, to effectively communicate agency goals and objectives to park visitors and other stakeholders. The role will lead and oversee staff responsible for the care, training, and educational programs featuring raptors and reptiles across all seven state-wide aviaries and other MPS sites housing live, captive animals. This position will ensure the compliance of aviary staff and volunteers in accordance with the standards of training, based on science- based technique and advice of The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE). The position is also responsible for developing, implementing, and managing interpretive, informational, and educational programs for raptors and reptiles. The Coordinator will also ensure program quality and compliance with all relevant laws, rules, regulations, and policies and utilize progressive animal husbandry, training, welfare, veterinary care and enrichment guided by professional organizations, namely IAATE), Federal authority of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and under the full guidance of veterinary care by a board certified wildlife veterinarian.

POSITION DUTIES

The primary function of this position is to serve as the statewide program coordinator for the Scales & Tales program for the Maryland Park Service. This includes planning, organizing, managing, and directing live animal care and management, as well as programs and initiatives associated with the interpretive, informational, and educational services of the Scales & Tales program to effectively communicate agency goals and objectives to park visitors and other stakeholders.

The incumbent will lead and oversee staff responsible for the care, training, and educational programs featuring raptors and reptiles across all seven state-wide aviaries and other Maryland Park Service sites housing live, captive animals. This position will ensure compliance of aviary staff and volunteers with standards of training based on science-based techniques and advice from The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE).

Additionally, this position is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing interpretive, informational, and educational programs for raptors and reptiles. The coordinator will ensure program quality and compliance with all relevant laws, rules, regulations, and policies while utilizing progressive animal husbandry, training, welfare, veterinary care, and enrichment, guided by professional organizations (namely IAATE), the Federal authority of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the full guidance of veterinary care by aboard-certified wildlife veterinarian. 

The coordinator will also oversee the acquisition and disposition of live animals, including making decisions regarding compassionate and humane euthanasia when necessary. The incumbent will provide information and recommendations to stakeholders regarding the feasibility of maintaining live animal collections at all seven locations and advise on strategies to optimize resources while maintaining high standards of animal care and program delivery.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience: Eight years of experience, four years of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features and an additional four years of experience in park management, recreation or a natural or cultural resources related field.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park operations, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences, history or a natural resources or history related field and four years of experience in forest or park management, recreation, or natural resources management, or preparing, developing or delivering programs that interpret natural, historical, cultural or recreational features for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of park management, recreation, education, business administration, forestry, social sciences or a natural resources related field for five years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in management and program clerical and assistance classification or management and program clerical and assistance specialty codes in the general, administrative, clerical, and office services field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Certified Professional Bird Trainer – Knowledge Assessed (CPBT-KA)
  • Certified Avian Behavior Consultant (CABC)
  • Avian Care and Behavior Specialist (ACBS)
  • Experience handling and caring for non-releasable raptors and reptiles
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Experience in personnel management
  • Experience managing natural, cultural, and historical resources in a park, zoo or sanctuary setting
  • Experience working with communities, organizations and government agency partners to provide public safety, resource protection and animal health and welfare outcomes
  • Member of The International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE)
  • Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) or other Interpretive certification housed under the National Association of Interpretation (NAI)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess an appropriate motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification are subject to call-in and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a phone number where they can be reached.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

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.

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.

BENEFITS

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 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. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Emilee Knott at Emilee.Knott@maryland.gov.

Supplemental materials and/or edits to your application will not be accepted once the announcement deadline has passed. Candidates will only be able to submit an application once, so it is extremely important that you are following the application instructions. 

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted.

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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

Powered by JobAps