INTRODUCTION

The Maryland Department of the Environment is charged with protecting and preserving the State’s air, water, and land resources and safeguarding the environmental health of all Maryland’s citizens. The Agency’s mission is to protect and restore the environment for the health and well-being of all Marylanders with a vision of healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities and ecosystems in Maryland.
If you are looking for an exciting career committed to helping the environment for all Marylanders, please apply to become part of MDE’s workforce. MDE offers competitive pay, great benefits, opportunities to telework, as well as opportunities for advancement and professional growth – MDE offers you a wide range of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, paid time off (i.e., vacation, sick leave), state pension, and supplemental retirement options (i.e., 401k, 457b etc.). MDE headquarters facility offers free parking, a food court, and a gym.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university that includes 30 credits in the biological, environmental, physical sciences, other appropriate technical discipline, or possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Law or Environmental Public Policy or other appropriate related degree.
EXPERIENCE: Five (5) years of experience supervising professional staff in an environmental field or experience as an environmental project manager including assigning tasks, setting priorities, and reviewing work products.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

It is preferred that the selected candidate has the following:

• Knowledge of State and/or federal wetlands and waterways regulatory programs and processes;
• Knowledge of State and/or federal State Certification of Water Quality under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act;
• Knowledge of State and/or federal Coastal Zone Management Programs under the Coastal Zone Management Act;
• Experience in supervision of employees;
• Experience in drafting permits and permit decisions;
• Experience with disciplined approaches to permit review processes;
• Strong professional oral and written communication skills;
• Strong problem-solving skills and customer service orientation.

The main purpose of this position is to oversee the implementation of the State’s tidal wetland protection and management program. As chief of the Tidal Wetlands Division, this position directs the overall planning, development, and implementation of the program and administers the day-to-day operation of the Division. The incumbent in this will also oversee a staff of environmental professionals and administrative support staff in offices in Baltimore and the Eastern Shore.
The working conditions of this position involve exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings. Fieldwork is required in all regions of the State regardless of weather/season of year Conditions may be wet muddy, hot, freezing, buggy, etc. Footing on rocky and uneven, mucky stream bottoms and wetlands may be poor. Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions which may result in injury. Work also involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc. In addition to the poor footing listed in the previous explanation, the employee is required to climb over fallen logs in streams and wetlands, climb steep slopes that are rocky or have loose, slippery soil, and other natural hazards and challenges. Work requires the use of protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, masks, etc. Work conditions described in the previous explanation require the use of equipment that will protect the employee when working in wet conditions and during weather extremes such as hip boots or chest waders, insulated footwear, and clothing, as well as wearing hard hats and goggles on construction sites as required.
The incumbent in this position will be required to drive a State vehicle. If you maintain an out-of-state driving license, you must provide a certified copy of your driving record from the appropriate Motor Vehicle Administration at the time of appointment. Individuals must maintain a driver’s license with no more than 5 points on their driving record in order to drive a State vehicle.