Job Description

CLOSING DATE: June 28, 2024

The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (D EP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities. DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.

DEP is seeking an experienced Planning Specialist III to provide planning and coordination of activities related to the implementation of landscape practices for watershed restoration projects; assisting engineering staff with natural resource evaluations, landscape designs and contractor installation of landscape practices for stormwater management and stream restoration projects; and performing outreach for related Capital Improvement Projects and department functions.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

• Planning and managing the development of watershed management planning studies covering County watersheds and prioritizing potential restoration projects.

• Providing GIS mapping and graphics support for watershed restoration and planning activities, as well as, preparing information on watershed restoration activities and projects for watershed newsletters, reports and website applications.

• Coordinating with contractual consultant engineers and construction contractors to address project issues through outreach and educational engagement with public and private stakeholders.

• Reviewing landscape and reforestation plans for the proper use of native plantings on Environmental Site Design (ESD), Low Impact Development (LID), stormwater management ponds and stream restoration projects.

• Coordinating, inspecting and monitoring reforestation and landscaping of restoration projects by contractors, and providing guidance to contractors to ensure landscaping materials are in compliance with contract requirements.

• Planning presentations, conducting public meetings, and performing site walks with the public to inform them about proposed watershed conservation plans and capital improvement projects.

• Representing the County in interagency watershed planning and implementation efforts to restore stream habitat and water quality conditions in County and inter-jurisdictional watersheds.

• Reviewing technical studies for watershed conservation plans, and stormwater management and stream restoration projects using knowledge of stormwater management and natural resources conservation to ensure technical studies are based on sound scientific principles and that the proposed conservation plans or capital projects are compatible with the goals for watershed conservation and restoration.

• Serving as a Dam Observer for a high or significant hazard dam as part of the Dam Emergency Response during major storm events.

The ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge in the identification, proper care, design, installation and maintenance of native plants in the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont region and their uses in stormwater management practices, as well as knowledge of stormwater management and pollution control techniques including ESD and LID principles. In addition, the candidate should have experience in data management, analysis, and reporting skills including knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, databases, ArcMap GIS applications, and website project information.

The successful candidate must have the ability to work independently as well as work in a collaborative environment within a large organization with multiple priorities, have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and be highly organized and detail oriented. These skills include using specified software and other tools to create materials for reporting purposes and outreach.

This position involves field work which requires the ability to perform work outdoors, may involve frequent walking over difficult terrain, occasional stooping, bending, and reaching, lifting and carrying moderate weight (25 lbs.), and exposure to adverse weather conditions.

This position requires possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a County assigned vehicle to attend meetings, visit sites for existing conditions review, field investigations and conduct surveys, and/or observe or inspect construction sites, as well as attend meetings with homeowners and communities and perform other work at locations throughout Montgomery County not readily accessible by public transit. This position also will serve as an Emergency Action Plan participant which will require the ability to drive to high or significant hazard dams in the county.

Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.

For information about Montgomery County Government's comprehensive benefits package, please visit the MCG Total Rewards webpage and check out our competitive benefits!

Additional Employment Information

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov . Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference .

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for interview.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code . Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience : Three (3) years of experience in planning and research related to land use, urban economics, human services, environmental issues, conservation or other work directly related to some municipalities planning and development work such as watershed planning and implementation activities for stormwater management, stream restoration and/or public education and outreach.

Education : Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in planning, urban design, environmental studies, public administration, or related field such as Natural Resources, Water Resources, and Stormwater Management.

Equivalency : An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted.

License : Possession and maintenance of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver's license from the applicant's state of residence.

Preferred Criteria

There are NO Preferred Criteria Assessments . All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified", placed on the eligible list, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications of the same grade or higher will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following. Please address this information in a separate section of the resume.

• Knowledge and understanding of the pertinent laws, regulations and guidelines for designing and constructing of stormwater management, LID and stream restoration projects.

• Knowledge and understanding of stormwater runoff and pollutant loads impacting urban streams preferably in Montgomery County.

• Knowledge and experience with developing watershed studies and the methods used to assess stormwater and stream restoration needs.

• Experience using Geographical Information Systems and other data management techniques to collect and interpret watershed data.

• Experience in public outreach including the ability to summarize and convey technical interdisciplinary information on water management programs to lay audiences and interest groups participating in the development and implementation of watershed studies.

• Experience in contract administration and management, preparing technical reports, payment requests and reports, contract documents to develop and implement watershed studies, grant applications and general correspondence.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume .

Minimum Salary 69222

Maximum Salary 110588

Currency USD