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ADMINISTRATOR V

Chief Of Staff

Recruitment #24-003184-0015

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Introduction

The Maryland Office of People's Counsel (OPC) seeks well-organized, enthusiastic applicants that thrive in a fast-paced policy and advocacy setting to join our mission-driven team as OPC’s Chief of Staff.

This position is responsible for supporting OPC’s mission to advocate for the economic interests of the State's residential consumers of public utility services such as electricity and gas, considering the State’s climate and environmental policies. Specifically, this position will implement a multi-pronged approach to advocacy by serving as the agency’s principal liaison with the Maryland General Assembly, managing communications to a wide range of external stakeholders, and working on special projects, such as creating and overseeing the dissemination of public-facing OPC documents. 

This position will work with OPC leadership, and as part of a cross functional team, to develop and advance agency goals and priorities. As a State agency, OPC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.

GRADE

20

LOCATION OF POSITION

6 St. Paul Street, Suite 2102, Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The Chief of Staff is responsible for supporting OPC’s mission to work on behalf of residential utility customers to advocate for utility performance at the lowest reasonable cost, consistent with State environmental and economic policies. Specifically, this position will implement a multi-pronged approach to advocacy by serving as the agency’s principal legislative liaison, assisting with the uniform development of OPC’s policy positions, managing its communications to a wide range of external stakeholders, and managing special projects in consultation with the People’s Counsel and OPC’s leadership team. This position works in close collaboration and partnership with the People’s Counsel, participating in meetings and managing relationships with elected officials, government agency partners, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to elevate and strengthen the effectiveness of OPC’s advocacy work. This position has responsibility to continuously manage the refinement and delivery of OPC’s policy positions and public education messages in consultation with the People’s Counsel, Deputy People’s Counsels, and the Director of Consumer Assistance. The position requires a working knowledge of State and Federal energy, utility and climate policy. The Chief of Staff must understand how utility consumer protection issues intersect with these policy arenas, as well as possess superb written and oral communication skills, strong critical thinking abilities (including the ability to identify and analyze important details), as well as the ability to comfortably exercise independent judgment.

POSITION DUTIES

  • The Chief of Staff is a unique role that serves as the agency’s principal legislative liaison, coordinator of policy and external communications, and manager of special projects.
  • The position acts as a key policy advisor and serves as OPC’s legislative liaison with the Maryland General Assembly, managing OPC’s year-round efforts to coordinate with policymakers on matters of importance to residential utility customers. This includes establishing and strengthening relationships with elected officials, coordinating with external partners on legislative efforts, creating and managing departmental legislation, and coordinating with the Governor’s Legislative Office.
  • During legislative session, this position interacts on a daily basis with legislators and legislative staff, oversees the tracking of legislation that impacts OPC and residential utility customers, and coordinates testimony and outreach in support of OPC’s legislative priorities. This includes preparing briefing materials and correspondence for the People’s Counsel.
  • From January through April, this position must regularly travel to Annapolis to participate in legislative hearings and meetings with elected officials and the People’s Counsel.
  • This position is also responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of OPC’s communications strategy, including consumer education work led by the Director of Consumer Assistance. 
  • The position assists with public outreach and talking points on OPC policy positions and work; develops presentations, briefing memos, website content, and other written materials as appropriate for outreach efforts; and reviews internal and external content to ensure it reflects the People’s Counsel’s priorities and voice, is internally consistent, and echoes the mission and values of OPC. 
  • In coordination with the People’s Counsel and OPC leadership, this position performs or manages special projects to advance OPC’s mission and coordinates with Assistant Peoples Counsels and OPC technical experts to prepare public-facing documents. The position is also responsible for drafting and coordinating the creation of an annual report highlighting OPC’s work."

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

- Education: Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Political Science, Government, Public Policy, Law, Journalism, Science, or a related field.

- Experience: Two (2) years of professional experience in the legislative process or government relations, including but not limited to regulatory experience as a legislative or policy analyst; or an equivalent combination of training and experience related to the duties of this position. 

 - Note: Candidates may substitute additional years of experience for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

● A working knowledge of State and Federal energy, utility and climate policy, as well as Maryland’s legislative process, or experience that demonstrates an ability to understand and think critically about complex regulatory matters.

● Ability to organize and coordinate duties and responsibilities, meeting deadlines consistently in a fast-paced work environment. 

● Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills. 

● Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees within an organization, and to use tact, discretion and professional diplomacy in collaborating with others. 

● Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to comfortably exercise independent judgment. 

● Thoughtful listening skills and the ability to act as a respectful consensus builder in interacting with a large variety of stakeholders. 

● Experience directing or implementing organizational communications strategy. 

● Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Adobe Pro, particularly with regard for graphic design and stylizing documents for publication.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that 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 will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

 *Resumes are acceptable as additional information, however the application must be completed or it will be subject to rejection"*

 

 

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.




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