Seasonal Job Opportunities Available in Maryland State Parks

The Maryland Park Service is currently recruiting for more than 100 seasonal full-time and part-time positions at many state parks. Seasonal employees play an integral role in park operations, and opportunities exist for seasonal naturalists, rangers, maintenance, lifeguards, contact station attendants, and customer service staff. Candidates who fill these positions are paid hourly wages and work up to a maximum of 10 months in state parks.

The Maryland Park Service provides services and amenities to more than 10 million visitors each year. Spring through Fall seasonal opportunities are available for high school and college age students, as well as retired candidates looking to share their skills and talents. All recruitment announcements can be found on the Department of Natural Resources website. The application process for these seasonal positions is conducted online through the state’s JobAps system. Questions regarding each seasonal job opportunity can be directed to the appropriate state park.

View and Apply for Maryland State Park Seasonal Job Opportunities here. You can search by the park name using the "keyword" search mechanism at the top of the website.

Plan A Winter Camping Adventure in Maryland State Parks

Many people enjoy the cooler temperatures and increased solitude of camping in State Parks during the fall and winter months. The onset of hunting season draws many sportsmen and women in the campgrounds. Photograhers enjoy the improved lighting provided by a sun passing lower in the sky and birders and wildlife watchers take advantage of seeing animals migrating through the area.

The Maryland Park Service offers winter camping opportunities at many State Parks. Here are some overnight getaways that appeal to a wide range of visitors, from those seeking a warm, rustic cabin to those visitors that own their own recreational vehicles.

Creature Comforts – Cabins and Cottages
Maryland State Parks offer cozy, full-service, heated cabins and cottages with woodstoves and fireplaces year-round. Unless otherwise noted, the following State Parks have cabins and cottages that can be reserved in advance on the State Park reservation website at http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us or by calling 888-432-2267 or by calling the State Park:

Eastern Shore

• Janes Island State Park (Four cabins and the Daugherty Creek Conference Center)
• Martinak State Park (one cabin)

Western Maryland

• Herrington Manor State Park (20 cabins)
  
• New Germany State Park (11 cabins)
  
• Rocky Gap State Park
  

Baltimore Area

• Gunpowder Falls State Park (Mill Pond Cottage in photo featured above; must reserve by calling the State Park at 410-592-2897)

Full-service Camping Opportunities – Hot showers included

Most State Park campgrounds close by the end of October due to unheated bathroom and shower facilities that need to be winterized for protection from freezing temperatures. Several Maryland State Parks, however, have heated bathhouses and therefore can offer year-round or an extended season for camping and camper cabins as follows:

Eastern Shore

• Pocomoke River State Park (Shad Landing Area) (year-round)
• Elk Neck State Park (year-round)

These State Park campgrounds include access to electric sites and heated bathhouses with hot showers. Year-round campground loops are plowed during snow events. Reservations are accepted in advance at http://reservations.dnr.state.md.us or by calling 888-432-2267 or by calling the State Park.

Fall and Winter RV Camping (no bathroom facilities)

Many State Parks offer fall and winter primitive RV camping opportunities in scenic settings. Primitive camping means that no bathroom or shower facilities are provided. Therefore, campers must be traveling in self-contained recreational vehicles only. Tent camping is not allowed in these developed campgrounds when toilet facilities are unavailable. These campgrounds are not plowed and therefore will not be available if snow or ice is impassable. When weather conditions are favorable, fall and winter RV camping options include:

Eastern Shore

• Janes Island State Park (electric sites available)
• Martinak State Park (electric sites available)

Central Maryland

• Patapsco Valley State Park

Southern Maryland

• Cedarville State Forest (no electric sites available)
• Point Lookout State Park (year-round)

Western Maryland

• Fort Frederick State Park (no electric sites available)
• Rocky Gap State Park (electric sites available)

Bloede Dam Project and Analysis

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently conducting a feasibility study to evaluate Bloede Dam's negative impact on the ecology of the Patapsco River and issues related to public safety.

The dam, located on the property of Patapsco Valley State Park, is an obstacle for fish passage, and it fragments aquatic habitat.

Bloede Dam is owned by the DNR. The Department is currently taking public comment on a report of the alternatives to address the problem.

"Click" here to view details and goals about the Bloede Dam project, as well as DNR's response to public comments and next steps.

If you would like to submit written comment, please email: bloededam@dnr.state.md.us.

Maryland Partners with The North Face for 2012 Explore Your Parks Program

For the third year in a row, the Maryland Park Service (MPS) is partnering with The North Face company for its annual Explore Your Parks program that encourages families to get outdoors and enjoy State Parks across the country.

"We're proud to have The North Face as a partner as we encourage everyone to have a more active, healthy lifestyle, all the while creating stronger connections between people and the outdoors," said MPS Superintendent Nita Settina. "Maryland's State Parks provide endless opportunities for kids and their families to be active and connect with nature – hiking, climbing, running, biking, volunteering, camping, playing sports, paddling and everything else their imagination allows."

As part of the program, Marylanders can receive a free day-pass to one of nine participating Maryland State Parks with the purchase of The North Face products at local retailers. The stores will also carry free activity guides that provide information on things to do at the parks. Participating in Maryland are Calvert Cliffs, Gambrill, Greenbrier, Gunpowder Falls, Patapsco Valley, Seneca Creek and Smallwood State Parks in addition to the Merkle Wildlife Sanctuary and Cedarville State Forest.

The Maryland Park Service is proud to partner with The North Face: Explore Your Parks, to offer an opportunity to camp at selected state parks.

With the new OPERATION: CAMPOUT! Program, we can lend you gear free of charge (includes a tent, chairs, stove, lantern and more). This program is designed for military individuals and military families new to camping or experienced campers stationed or recovering in this area. OPERATION: CAMPOUT! is an opportunity for families to reconnect with each other and the great outdoors in a comfortable, safe and relaxing setting. Choose from five Maryland State Parks including Patapsco Valley State Park, Pocomoke River State Park, Rocky Gap State Park, New Germany State Park or Swallow Falls State Park. Campsites have picnic tables and campfire rings. Bathrooms and hot showers are within walking distance. It’s never too late to discover the joys of sitting around a roaring campfire, roasting marshmallows or sleeping under the stars!

For more information, contact Christina Holden at (410) 260-8155 or by email at cholden@dnr.state.md.us. We are reaching out to wounded warriors stationed at nearby bases and hospitals and veterans with this program. We are committed to provide a means of reconnecting with family, friends and the outdoors.