PROGRAM MANAGER III

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Trust. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

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100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032 (Anne Arundel County)

The Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Environmental Trust is currently accepting applications for a Program Manager III (Director). Program Manager III is a managerial level of work in the Management Service of the State Personnel Management System. Employees in this classification are responsible for directing programs particular to their agency’s mission and operations and which are not found in other agencies. Employees in this classification have supervisory or managerial responsibility for the work of other employees in the Skilled or Professional Services.

The Director of Maryland Environmental Trust (MET) is a unique position within State Government, responsible for the management and direction of one of the country’s oldest and most successful land trusts. The MET program solicits and accepts easements, monitors and stewards its easements, works with local land trusts and other conservation groups, and operates within Maryland State Government as a unit of the Department of Natural Resources. The Director serves at the pleasure of and under the direction of the Board of Trustees who are appointed by the Governor, the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate of Maryland. MET, whose Mission is to protect and conserve natural resources, farmland and open space, holds approximately 1,100 conservation easements on over 130,000 acres of significant environmental, scenic, agricultural, historic and cultural land. The Director manages a merit staff of ten, plus seasonal employees, interns, and volunteers as required to fulfill the responsibilities of the Trust. The Director is responsible for working with the Secretary and the staff of the Department of Natural Resources to develop annual State budgets necessary to fulfill MET’s duties, including the resources necessary to carry out its roles of acquiring conservation easements, monitoring the conservation easements it has an interest in, and supporting local land trusts and partners in accomplishing the same. The Director is also responsible for partnering with the Board of Trustees in managing private endowments and investment funds totaling approximately $3 million that provide supplemental funding to accomplish its mission.

The incumbent represents and serves as liaison between MET and state, local, and federal agencies. These include the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, the Maryland Board of Public Works, and the Office of the Attorney General; other elected officials; the Maryland Department of Agriculture and the Department of Transportation; county zoning and planning personnel; federal land preservation program administrators; local land trust representatives; landowners of easement properties; and the general public.

The Director serves at the pleasure and under the direction of an independent, self-perpetuating citizen Board of Trustees. The incumbent works closely with the Board and its committees, and functions as the liaison between the Board and staff. The selected candidate meets with and communicates regularly with the Board chair, other officers, and the Executive Committee, and attends the Board’s monthly meetings as well as the meetings of various committees. Duties will include:

• Oversight of financial management 
• Management of human resources 
• Identifying and pursuing land conservation opportunities 
• Organizing and directing educational programs 
• Fund raising 
• Governmental and community relations and outreach 
• Ensuring legal and regulatory compliance 
• Property stewardship 
• Overseeing purchase, management and disposal of property 
• Maintenance and development of MET’s information technology tools

Financial management aspects include assisting the Board in preparing proposed annual budgets, supporting activities of the Finance Committee, and assuring compliance with fund restrictions and financial policies including general oversight of bookkeeping and audits. The selected candidate supervises fundraising activities as directed by the Board, and helps identify new sources of funding. Fundraising projects include seeking grants, developing and implementing major gift and planned-giving programs, annual appeal letters, and generally increasing private donations to MET’s endowment and stewardship funds.

The incumbent helps the Board set goals and implements strategies and policies of the Board of Trustees, including the long range plan, accreditation, Board development and orientation, tax and incentive policies, the Easement, Stewardship, Volunteer, Land Trust Assistance, and Keep Maryland Beautiful programs, and continually assesses organizational progress. The Director organizes and supervises outreach and communication through MET’s educational programs, public relations, and marketing.

Education: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Six years of experience in administrative staff or professional work. Two years of this experience must have involved one or more of the following: the supervision of other employees, overseeing and coordinating the general operations of a unit, applying rules and regulations, or exercising responsibility for the development of policies or procedures.

Notes:

1. Additional experience in administrative staff or professional work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Additional graduate level education at an accredited college or university may be substituted at the rate of 30 semester credit hours on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required education and experience.     

Applicants must meet the minimum and selective qualifications to be considered. Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Two years of experience with real estate matters including buying, selling, leasing, and understanding real estate agreements, etc. 

1. Experience working with governmental officials and private landowners.
2. Experience in land use policies and planning.
3. Experience in oversight/ management of conservation easements.
4. Five years of experience in the oversight of program budgets.
5. Experience supervising five or more employees. Supervisory experience must include all of the following: 
        • Assign and review work 
        • Approve leave 
        • Sign timecards 
        • Sign annual performance ratings 
        • Train employees 
        • Discipline employees (counsel, recommend suspension, and termination)

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to:

Department of Natural Resources
Human Resources
580 Taylor Avenue, C-3
Annapolis, MD 21401

The Human Resources Department is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Khia Poteat at khia.poteat@maryland.gov  

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply. Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.