State of Maryland

A Hydrographer III is the supervisory level of professional competency engineering work bearing responsibility for the successful direction of the activities of a unit devoted to survey shore erosion or other hydrographic operations.  Employees in this classification supervise and coordinate all engineering projects of the unit in accordance with agency objectives.  Employees in this classification formulate final technical recommendations before launching new activities or making changes in established policies in order to expedite completion of marine engineering projects.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Hydrographers and/or technicians assigned to the unit.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an agency official mainly in the form of meetings, conferences, and review of written reports to determine program effectiveness.  Employees may also receive technical supervision from a higher-level Hydrographer.  Employees are is responsible for development of technical aspects related to marine engineering programs.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The Hydrographer III is differentiated from the Hydrographer II in that the Hydrographer III has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Hydrographers while the Hydrographer II has advanced level responsibility for a major engineering project or several different minor projects.  The Hydrographer III is differentiated from the Hydrographer IV in that the Hydrographer IV has managerial responsibility for lower-level Hydrographers and serves the hydrography technical expert for the Department of Natural Resources.

Supervises the operations of a hydrographic oriented unit of a conservation agency, to include such areas as surveying, waterways improvement, and shore erosion control;

Plans, organizes, and directs a number of hydrographic engineering projects;

Appraises and evaluates the work of subordinate Engineers and Hydrograhic Engineering Associates and suggests improvement;

Coordinates operations with other State and Federal agencies in joint projects;

Prepares engineering reports, charts, drafts and related written material;

Works with political subdivisions and interested private groups in promoting the development of Maryland waterways and marine facilities;

Assists in policy development and suggests the need for new or revised legislation as it relates to hydrographic activities;

Develops necessary training programs and schedules for new professional and technical employees;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of hydrographic engineering;

Knowledge of procedures for evaluating engineering data for geodetic computation and marine construction projects;

Knowledge of construction contracts, specifications and plans;

Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and other Maryland tidal waters;

Knowledge the State Boat Act; Ability to plan and direct an engineering program;

Ability to supervise and train professional and technical employees;

Ability to interpret departmental policies and procedures;

Ability to evaluate the objectives of the agency and to implement plans to achieve these objectives as they relate to marine engineering projects;

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying and interpreting departmental policies and procedures;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to gain and retain the confidence and cooperation of Hydrographic Engineering Associates and the general public;

Ability to supervise and train professional and technical employees.    

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the field of civil engineering or geology.    

Experience: Two years of experience performing advanced level hydrographic, oceanographic, or civil engineering work for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

                                                                      OR  

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree in a different engineering field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Six years of hydrographic, oceanographic and/or civil engineering experience, three years of which must have been in a supervisory position in hydrographic engineering work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Maryland for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university for one year of the non-supervisory required experience.

3.  Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in hydrology classification or hydrology specialty codes in the hydrology field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.