Assistant Director, Research, Review and Policy Division

This position serves as the Assistant Director of the Research, Review and Policy Division for the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and has a diverse set of responsibilities working with internal staff and external stakeholders on planning challenges facing Maryland and local jurisdictions and ensuring timely progress on MDP's projects, programs, and priorities.

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This position serves as the Assistant Director of the Research, Review and Policy Division for the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and has a diverse set of responsibilities working with internal staff and external stakeholders on planning challenges facing Maryland and local jurisdictions and ensuring timely progress on MDP's projects, programs, and priorities. 

Responsibilities include decisions and recommendations that support the Division Director and comprise MDP’s official position on a variety of matters that affect state and local legislation; local policies, programs, and plans; and state programs that significantly affect transportation, protection and restoration of environmental resources, agricultural and natural resource land preservation, sustainable growth, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

The position works with other staff from MDP, other state agencies, local governments, federal agencies, stakeholders, and the public toward addressing Governor Moore’s priorities for the state of Maryland. The position also contributes to MDP’s vision for sustainable growth to ensure Maryland achieves economic prosperity for all through the development of plans, policies, and places that have embraced diversity, treasured all shared heritages, and upheld human well-being and ecological regeneration as paramount.  

To facilitate sustainable growth; support vibrant, thriving, resilient and revitalized communities; and ensure consistency and alignment of plans and projects, the Assistant Director of the Review, Research and Policy Division, in coordination with the Division Director, Assistant Secretary of Planning Services and other MDP leadership: 

• Participates in the development and implementation of state-level policies and plans to ensure achievement of sustainable growth objectives, including transportation, land reuse and redevelopment, ecological resources regeneration, land preservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and plans.
• Oversees or supports implementation of mandated programs that facilitate or encourage best planning practices and sustainable growth.
• Coordinates and completes mandatory intergovernmental and departmental reviews of proposed local, state and regional projects and plans to ensure alignment with state sustainable growth policies.
• Responds to inquiries from residents, legislators, nongovernmental organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders regarding MDP mandated responsibilities.
• Identifies significant gaps, needs and deficiencies within local, state and regional planning efforts to inform MDP’s planning best practices education and outreach.
• Completes research in support of all MDP initiatives. 

The Assistant Director of the Research, Review and Policy Division coordinates with and follows the direction of the Division Director to support and guide the work of the Division’s units. The position supports the Division Director with managerial and administrative functions of the units, including supervision of staff, project and program management, and development and monitoring of work programs and progress reports. As needed, this position also works with the MDP External Affairs unit to address legislative matters requiring subject matter expertise. 

As needed, this position may support or serve as the Secretary of Planning’s designee on commissions, boards, and committees. 

Activities include, but are not limited to the following:  

Works with unit managers and staff to establish, adjust, and ensure successful implementation of the Department’s programs and associated policies, workplans, templates, checklists, evaluation criteria and procedures.

As needed, may support or serve as the Department Secretary’s designee and/or serve as Department liaison in communications and program activities involving federal, state, and local government agencies, or with the general public, elected officials, and stakeholders.

Manages staff and Division responsibilities. Oversees the development, implementation, and adjustment of assigned scopes of work and workplans. Monitors work efforts and progress reports. Identifies significant gaps, needs and deficiencies within local, state and regional planning efforts to inform MDP’s best practices education efforts. Directs and supports the completion of research in support of all MDP initiatives. 

Oversees and directs the use of staff time and financial resources to support short-term and long-range plans for the Division. 

Ensures sufficient and timely development and training of staff. 

A strong environmental and/or transportation background is important along with knowledge of local, state, and other planning processes. Excellent analytical and research skills required. Ability to learn quickly, retain information, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and be efficient and productive.

Education: A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Planning, Sustainable Development, Transportation, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Architecture, Public Administration, Landscape Architecture, Political Science, Sociology, Regional Science, Information Technology and/or Urban Affairs.

Experience: Five years of experience, including two years of management responsibilities, in developing or implementing policies and/or programs within the planning, sustainable development, transportation, land reuse, redevelopment, or environmental fields.

Candidates may substitute seven years of experience in developing or implementing policies and/or programs within the planning, sustainable development, transportation, land reuse, redevelopment, or environmental fields for the required experience and education.

Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Logistics, Urban Planning, Architect, Geospatial Intelligence Analyst or Cryptologic classifications; or Logistics, Urban Planning or Architect specialty codes in the Architect field of work, on a year-for-year basis, for the required experience and education.

AICP or CC-P certification.  

Exceptional communications and project management skills.   

Five years of experience in the following: 

Establishing, adjusting, and ensuring successful implementation of programs and associated policies, workplans, templates, checklists, evaluation criteria and procedures. 

Conducting and facilitating meetings with various individuals and agencies, with exceptional client relations skills.

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.

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.

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. CLICK ON THIS LINK FOR MORE DETAILS:  

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS 

•           Personal Leave- new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date). 

•           Annual Leave – ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year.

•           Sick Leave – fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year.

•           Parental Leave – up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child.

•           Holidays – State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holiday per year.

•           Pension – State employees earn credits towards a retirement pension.

•           Positions may be eligible for telework.

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.