State of Maryland

A Natural Resources Planner V is the supervisory level of work in the field of local, regional, State and intergovernmental natural resources planning and applied environmental science.  Employees in this classification are responsible for developing objectives, determining the scope of the program, the research, statistical methods and study for land use; water resource development; forest, fish, and wildlife management; park and recreation demands, supplies, and needs; mineral resources development; and the interaction among competing demands for natural resources.  Employees in this classification are responsible for supervising lower-level Natural Resources Planners and other professionals and technicians in related fields.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an agency director, department head, or program director.

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.

A Natural Resources Planner V is differentiated from the Natural Resources Planner IV in that the Natural Resources Planner V has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Natural Resources Planners and a planning program while the Natural Resources Planner IV assigns, reviews and approves the work of and trains lower-level Natural Resources Planners assigned to a planning project.

Supervises the conduct of studies of the interrelationships of various resource planning and management programs; e.g., land use, water quantity and quality; recreation; fish and wildlife management; forest management activities; water quality; environmental protection; and mineral exploitation;

Consults with State and federal agency officials on interstate and intergovernmental environmental and natural resources planning undertakings, and contacts representatives of private business concerned with various aspects of program planning;

Makes recommendations regarding natural resources laws, programs and administrative procedures to develop resource program, policies and objectives; Reviews and evaluates program progress and prepares fiscal recommendations;

Visits community organizations and citizens advisory boards in an effort to stimulate interest in the creation, promotion or coordination of planning for the utilization and conservation of natural resources and environmental protection;

Reviews and reports on proposed legislation affecting existing or contemplated natural resource development and planning programs;

Supervises, trains and advises a group of planners, other professionals and clerical personnel engaged in complex planning projects and programs;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices, research methods and techniques of environmental and natural resources planning and the production of planning reports and studies;

Knowledge of engineering, social and economic factors having an effect upon environmental and natural resources management and development;

Knowledge of the institutional and economic constraints pertaining to various environmental and natural resources programs;

Skill in directing complex research and planning projects;

Skill in coordinating various phases of a program and compiling individual findings and conclusions into a clear, concise and comprehensive report;

Ability to recognize the physical, technological, economic and institutional prerequisites for obtaining various resource and planning objectives such as data collection, assembly, ordering needs, enabling legislation and administrative arrangements necessary for the development and effective implementation of specific resource management programs;

Ability to direct and participate in the design of research and demonstration projects required for effective resources program planning and development;

Ability to comprehend the total effect of proposed plans;

Ability to supervise a group of environmental or Natural Resources Planners and clerical employees engaged in major planning programs;

Ability to prepare and submit overall and detailed plans and recommendations for submission to governmental and non-governmental organizations at the local, State, interstate or federal level;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with technical specialists and other planning personnel.

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management, or development.

Experience: Seven years of experience in natural resources planning or an applied environmental science.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, biological or environmental sciences and one year of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a natural resources planning, management, administration, development, environmental urban or regional planning; resources economics or development; environmental system management; water or land resources planning and management; environmental landscape architecture; or the physical, chemical, biological or environmental sciences for up to three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in natural resources planning, management, administration, development, environmental urban or regional planning; resources economics or development; environmental system management; water or land resources planning and management; environmental landscape architecture; or the physical, chemical, biological or environmental sciences for up to five years of the required experience.

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, 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit G, Engineering, Scientific and Administrative Professionals classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are exempt from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.