State of Maryland

A Natural Resources Planner II is the intermediate 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 some phase of a planning project requiring the review and interpretation of data involving land use patterns, physical, chemical and biological systems, fish and wildlife biology, forestry, hydrography/hydrology, ecology, limnology, environmental science, parks and recreation use.  Employees in this classification may be assigned independent research or planning tasks of moderate complexity.  Employees in this classification have increasing contact with local, regional, State and federal planning agencies, consultants, civic groups, and other planners and professionals and technicians in related fields.  Employees do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive moderate supervision from a higher-level Natural Resources Planner or other designated administrator.

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 Natural Resources Planner I, Natural Resources Planner II and Natural Resources Planner III are differentiated on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Natural Resources Planner I performs duties under close supervision.  The Natural Resources Planner II performs duties under close supervision at times and with general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Natural Resources Planner III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Obtains, compiles and analyzes data, or assists in obtaining data used in planning for the protection and optimal utilization of the natural resources of the State, encompassing the fields of fish and wildlife biology, forestry, hydrography/hydrology, ecology, limnology, environmental science, parks and recreation use and land use management;

Prepares, or assists in the preparation of reports, manuals and other documents for distribution to interested individuals and agencies concerned with planning and the utilization of natural resources;

Confers with appropriate technical and field personnel for the purpose of conveying the need for obtaining specific information and data necessary for the development of natural resources plans;

May assist in arranging and conducting meetings for the purpose of formulating and implementing plans, or to advise local, regional, or State agencies or advisory boards concerned with natural resources or various aspects of planning;

May assist in the supervision, training and guidance of lower-level professional Planners or other assigned personnel;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles of natural resources planning and the technological, social and economic factors having an effect upon natural resources protection, management and development;

Knowledge of natural sciences such as fish and wildlife biology, forestry, hydrography/hydrology, ecology or limnology;

Knowledge of the fundamentals to be applied in preparing planning reports and studies;

Knowledge of federal, State, regional and local planning concepts and procedures;

Ability to perform routine research with a minimum of direct supervision;

Ability to evaluate prepared proposed plans and programs submitted by other State agencies or other units of government;

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports;

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

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

Experience: One year of experience in natural resources planning or 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 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 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, biological, chemical or environmental sciences for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the general natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or general natural resources management and biological sciences specialty codes in the general natural resources management and biological sciences field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and 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, 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.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification, and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.