Regenerative Land Management Specialist (13011, Grade 28)

The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission seeks a Regenerative Land Management Specialist to manage integrated pest management, promote native landscaping, and enhance soil health practices. The role involves providing technical support, ensuring compliance with pesticide regulations, and leading sustainability efforts in parks across Prince George’s County. This position requires collaboration with various teams and participation in cross-divisional projects.
Are you interested in the intersection of landscape ecology and sustainable practice? Do you dream about having a career in soil health and integrated pest management? The Department of Parks and Recreation is looking for an organized, self-motivated, Plant Health Horticulturist to join our team in the Facility Services Division within our Sustainability Team! Under the supervision of the Assistant Chief, Critical Projects and working with the Environmental Sustainability Coordinator and the Environmental Best Practice and Data Coordinator, the Plant Health Horticulturist is responsible for numerous county-wide programs including leading the Departmentwide integrated pest management (IPM) program, expanding native plant landscaping and trainings, leading experiments with soil health practice at Randall Urban Farm, and coordinating tree planting efforts in parks across Prince George’s County. The Plant Health Horticulturist serves a critical role representing the Division in cross-divisional work groups, providing technical expertise and consultation as it relates to pest management. This position also takes a leadership role in advancing the sustainability and climate change goals of the Department. Performs other related duties, as assigned.

Leads the Departmental Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program to Strategize on Pest Management, Pesticide Reduction, Alternative Practices, Innovation, Data Analysis, and Establishment of Consistent Standards, Countywide.
• Provides technical support and consultation services to assist staff addressing plant health issues on parkland. Provides consultation services in cross divisional park planning and renovation meetings to encourage implementation of strategies to reduce use of pesticides.
• Works with staff to promote and implement best practices for plant health care for insect disease and weed issues in turf, amenities such as playgrounds, athletic fields, and for plant material.
• Ensures IPM is practiced by working with staff to develop protocols, scouting forms, and implementation methods for improvement of pest detections and management.
• Ensures that staff are complying with the requirements for Parks and that the Department remains in compliance with all federal, state, and local requirements related to pesticide use, storage, disposal, etc.
• Makes suggestions for changes to operations to ensure compliance with legislation.
• Reviews and updates M-NCPPC Pesticide Safety and IPM Administrative Procedures to meet current regulations.
• Coordinates IPM Briefings for the Department Directorates, Division Chiefs and staff involved in pest management.
• Develops and collaborates with FSD and other Divisions to produce the Semi-Annual IPM Report and data on pesticide use by staff and contractors as part of ongoing sustainability efforts.
• Tracks and assesses pesticide and alternative practice use throughout the county using visual tools such as graphs, spreadsheets, and Power Bi.
• Recommends alternative control options and/or pesticides that are less toxic, less harmful to humans and the environment.
• Presents at conferences to share the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Plant Health Program accomplishments and network with others.
• Works across the Department and the Commission to promote plant health programs to the public through media outreach efforts.
• Researches and responds to inquiries, questions, concerns, and requests from the public or representatives in a timely manner.
• Obtains and maintains pesticide certification by attending recertification training each year.
• Shares information with staff on pesticide recertification and fertilizer training.
• Ensures that staff overseeing each pesticide permit completed renewals in a timely manner.
• Maintains and updates spreadsheet of registered and certified staff at each Agency business permit site.

Oversees work at Randall Urban Farm (RUF) to include partnerships, trainings, and staff with particular emphasis on soil health research
• Develops road mapping for Korean Natural Farming at RUF. Develops all inputs on an ongoing basis and ensures that Korean Natural Farming best practices are implemented throughout the site.
• Works with the Sustainability Team, FSD Staff, and external partners to maintain, update, and develop seasonal planting selections for crops to be grown at RUF
• Tracks and maintains specifics about crops donated to our area partnerships (Tonnage, types, etc)
• Provides training for staff and partner groups on best practices at RUF. Participates as a subject matter expert for Team Buildings at the Sustainability Learning Center.
• Creates an annual report to share achievements.
• Experiments with KNF principals in the two other landscapes at the Sustainability Learning Center to develop best practices for Korean Natural Gardening. Trains landscape staff in these practices to encourage roll out to more sites.
• Functions as a member of the M-NCPPC Sustainability Committee

Participates in Stormwater rehabilitations, Sustainable Landscaping, and Tree Planting Groups
• Attends core team meetings with Cleanwater Partnership, Casey Trees Partnership, and similar to discuss issues and provide updates in area of expertise.
• Tracks, researches, and makes recommendations about climate resilient tree species to be planted on park property.
• Maintains and updates Sustainability’s preferred plant lists for Ornamental and Remediation practice to include recommendations for trees, shrubs, forbs, grasses, vines, and revises the DO NOT PLANT list as needed.
• Ensures best management practices are being introduced and followed for pesticide use and disposal on parkland as they relate to water quality.

Develops and Implements Training Programs for Staff in IPM
• Researches and determines training needs for staff in each division in pesticide application, equipment use, disposal of waste, product selections, integrated pest management, data collection and reporting, plant health care, weed removal techniques, and implementation of alternative practices for managing pests.
• Trains staff using PowerPoint or other presentation-based software, hands-on/field training and other training methods based on needs of the audience and facility.
• Coordinates trainings with Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) to obtain registration and recertification credits.
• Ensures that trainings include goals and objectives needed to prepare staff for taking pesticide certification exams.
• Completes and submits paperwork to register staff to apply pesticides on parkland.
• Develops and maintains an annual training schedules, sharing with staff.

Coordinates Landscape Tree Planting Efforts Throughout the County
• Identifies potential tree planting locations in parks with a focus on equity areas, diversity of tree species, and climate change recommendations.
• Establishes a tree planting team to coordinate goals and objectives for the program.
• Utilizes GIS mapping, TreeKeeper, equity area information and heat island data to show locations for planting each year.
• Ensures that Park’s divisions are kept in the loop for any and all tree planting on the Department’s property.
• Coordinates with contractors, volunteers, or other special interest groups to plant additional trees to meet goals.
• Develops a year-end report on the state of the landscape tree canopy in parks.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Natural Resources Management, Environmental Science, Forestry, Ecology, Wildlife Management, Fisheries Management, or any related field.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible natural resources or wildlife management experience or related experience.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total eight (8) years.
• 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 by the position of assignment.
• Pass Commission medical examination.
• Depending on area of assignment, the ability to acquire related program certification (e.g., Maryland Deer Cooperator License, Maryland Wildlife Damage Control Operators Permit, Maryland Biological Stream Survey Fish and Macroinvertebrate Certification).

Classification Specification Naturalist Specialist III

May be subject to drug and alcohol testing.

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate a workplace culture of diversity, equity and inclusion without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, or any other non-merit factor.

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 application at (Maryland Relay 7-1-1).
M-NCPPC will make all efforts to reasonably accommodate you.