The Montgomery Parks Foundation a 501(c)3 nonprofit that supports the needs of the Montgomery County Parks seeks to hire a Community Relations Specialist – Parks Foundation – Term Contract.

The position creates engaging events, advocacy efforts, and educational outreach to expand the Montgomery Parks Foundation's branding.

 Additionally, it manages some administrative aspects of the Foundation that help greatly cultivate the Foundation donor base while encouraging advocacy for Montgomery Parks Department priorities. Should be comfortable speaking in front of large groups and planning events.

Work is highly confidential and requires a great degree of reliability. The incumbent reports directly to the Foundation Executive Director and works out of our Wheaton, MD Headquarters. The position accomplishes other duties and activities as assigned.  A Hybrid work schedule is available.

Community Outreach:

• Serves as the main point of contact for the Foundation and provides excellent customer service to all prospective and current donors, community groups, and civic associations
• Organizes community outreach and education efforts in tandem with the Foundation team
• Attends community outreach programs on behalf of the Foundation
• Organizes yearly donor cultivation and fundraising events
• Serves as liaison between the Foundation and other citizen groups and associations
• Liaison with the Community Engagement Committee on the Board of Trustees
• Carries out special assignments and leads initiatives as requested by the Executive Director.
• Manages the Marye Wells Harley Dream Camp Scholarship program.

Advocacy Communications and Support:

• Drafts all advocacy messaging in coordination with the Department
• Organizes constituents to advocate at public hearings
• Creates and updates printed advocacy materials
• Serves as liaison to the Advocacy Committee on the Board of Trustees
• Partners with the Department in any advocacy needs or messaging

Administrative Support:

• Manages Tribute Program by selling various tributes as well as assisting with the purchase and placement of memorial benches and pavers
• Assists Executive Director in preparing for Foundation Board Meetings by printing and arranging board materials.
• Will manage collection and accounting of donation boxes at Brookside Gardens and any other parks deemed appropriate. 
• Supports the mailing of stewardship letters, including donation receipts
• Performs other accounting, financial, or administrative tasks as may be required by the Executive Director.

Important Skills and Characteristics: 

• Collaborative with a strong work ethic; having strategic awareness and the ability to anticipate Administrative or Human Resources Support needs, a cooperative spirit, excellent communication, creative thinking, and interpersonal skills.

• Communicates and interacts effectively with all partners. Establishes and maintains working relationships, including teamwork, with internal and external contacts.   Actively listens to understand key information, including concerns, wants, and needs of partners and co-workers.   Proven ability to approach and interact with people of all backgrounds and the ability to think collaboratively with senior members of the organization.

• Knowledge of, and skill in applying, the principles, methods, techniques, and practices of effective Administrative and Human Resources Support.  Ability to work with highly confidential documents and data while ensuring confidentiality for materials not subject to public disclosure.   Proven organizational, coordination, and workload management skills and abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to work on multiple activities, meet tight deadlines, and creatively problem-solve by selecting, organizing, and logically processing relevant information to resolve a problem.

• Superb written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal skills.  Proficient in using a computer and up-to-date office software (MS Office), enterprise software, and specialized software for planning, scheduling, communicating, word processing, collecting and reporting data, preparing presentations, researching, document control, and performing other computer functions for data management and retrieval.

1. Bachelor’s degree in human resource management, Finance, Business, or any related field.
2. One (1) year of experience in human resource management, finance, or any other related area of business administration.
3. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted, which together total five (5) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in event planning and fundraising
• Experience working in a nonprofit or mission-critical setting
• Must possess a valid Driver’s License and qualify to drive Commission vehicles to locations within Montgomery County.
• Ability to communicate in another language a plus.