Merlin taught history and served as a librarian for 13 years in Baltimore County Public School before moving to The Boys’ Latin School of Maryland as the middle school librarian in 2010. Merlin has served on the board of directors for multiple cultural institutions, including the Great War Association in PA where he was also the media liaison, and more recently as VP of the board of the Fire Museum of Maryland. Merlin also owns Hanson Mechanical Restorations, a historic Jeep restoration shop which was featured on the National Geographic show Family Guns. Merlin consistently works with a few graduates in his shop as a continuance of his belief in hands-on experiences and learning for young adults.