DESCRIPTION:
Montgomery County Parks, Management Services Division, is seeking a talented Innovation Program Coordinator to join our team!
The successful candidate will work with the Efficiency and Innovation Partner, representatives of the Innovation Team, and others to advance the Department’s newly implemented innovation program. This position will help to review potential innovative ideas submitted by staff, and work with stakeholders to encourage participation and collaboration in the program by means of communication and staff recognition, while understanding that diversity in thought is key to the success of this program. Also key, is the understanding that within innovation, failing is okay if lessons are learned and understand why something did not work.
The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced and collaborative environment, while managing deadlines and working effectively as part of a team.
This position pays at a rate of $17.00 per hour to $22.00 per hour depending on qualifications and experience.
Anticipated work schedule is ~24 hours per week (three weekdays at eight hours per day).
Important Skills and Characteristics:
Ability to prioritize tasks, meet deadlines, and negotiate necessary schedule changes
Ability to work independently while knowing when to check in for guidance
Ability to work with a team
Effective written and verbal communication skills, including listening to understand
Ability to accept constructive feedback and adjust plans as needed
Effective organizational skills for both short-term and long-term projects
Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously
The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC) is a six-time National Gold Medal Award Winner. Behind the vast and diverse Montgomery Parks system is a career staff complement of 421 parks and 37,100 acres of park land that serves a diverse population of more than one million residents in the Washington, DC metro area. Go to our website to learn more: https://www.montgomeryparks.org/.
EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT DUTIES:
Review and understand the program’s established framework, and through consultation with the Department’s Efficiency and Innovation Partner, make recommendations for processes that will foster participation in the program.
Engage with innovation team members to help communicate the benefits of the program throughout their respective areas within the Department. This may include tracking tasks, following up verbally or in writing, or meeting with individuals virtually or in-person.
Encourage staff participation by helping them understand the innovation software program, recommending areas where we may need to provide additional training, and fostering collaboration among staff within the software program.
Support activities of innovation idea sponsors through tracking ideas submitted, compiling feedback from the sponsor, and communicating that back out to help refine ideas as they move through the pipeline.
Work with the marketing team to develop effective communication, including e-mail campaigns, electronic and paper signage, and other strategies to keep the program fresh grow participation.
Analyze the effectiveness of the program and make recommendations for iterative changes to ensure the program evolves in a way that ensures continued success.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications.
Bachelor’s Degree in business administration or related field.
Two years of program management experience or a combination of education and experience totaling 6 years.
Preferred Qualifications:
Understanding of change management principles.
Experience working with innovation program software, and specifically Hype Innovation a plus.
Experience supporting ideation and innovation programs a plus.
Demonstrated project management experience.