NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNER I - CONTRACTUAL

The Water and Science Administration is recruiting for a Natural Resources Planner I.  This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of the Environment.  This recruitment will be used to fill current and future vacancies for this position/function only.  The resulting cert list will be maintained for one year.  Persons interested in future vacancies within this classification must re-apply.

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Maryland Department of the Environment 

Water & Science Administration

1800 Washington Blvd.

Baltimore, MD 21230

The Natural Resources Planner I is an entry level position.  That will serve as a laboratory assistant in the algal testing project for the State of Maryland. This project covers the testing of state-wide surface waters and shellfish for the presence of algal toxins, using Enzyme-Linked Immuno-Sorbent Assay (ELISA). The results of this test will support management decisions by the State Harmful Algae Surveillance Program (MDH, DNR, MDE and local resources managers) to protect public health when specific toxin levels, exceed standards for either water contact recreation or shellfish consumption.  The incumbent in this position may be required to participate in such curriculum as National Toxin Proficiency testing, Federal Coastal Assessment Programs and Federal, State, and local conferences.

This position also assists with biological taxonomy, laboratory processing, data entry/retrieval, data analysis/interpretation, and preparation/presentation of reports. These activities support various departmental regulatory initiatives (NPDES, MS4, 303(d), TMDL) involving biological assessment of state waterbodies using bio-criteria. These projects involve learning a high level of technical understanding by the incumbent, which includes certification in EPT (Mayfly, Stonefly, Caddisfly) taxonomy through the Society for Freshwater Science (SFS).

Other duties include quality assurance/quality control, and assisting with benthic macroinvertebrate and fish community field sampling, processing/taxonomy and data entry/analysis.

This position will involve some laboratory work which often involves handling chemicals.  Care should be taken to use protective clothing and eye ware, under an exhaust hood. This position also involves field work.  The work performed involves potential exposure to many hazards, including (but not limited to) harmful algal blooms, wastewater effluent and polluted surface waters that may contain vectors of human disease.  Possible exposure to hazardous substances exists at water treatment facilities (eg. chlorine gas) and at locations of chemical spill incidents.  The work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc.  The incumbent is required to wear protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, mask, etc. 

The incumbent of this position may be required to drive a state vehicle.  Employees are required to maintain a valid driver's license in the State of Maryland with no more than 5 points on their current driving record in order to drive a state vehicle.

Education: Possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management or development.

Experience: None

Notes: 1. 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 may be substituted for the required education.

2. 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 maybe substituted for up to three years of 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 education.  

It is preferred that the selected candidate has the following:

• A Bachelor's degree (s) in the following: Biology, Ecology, Environment Sciences or Aquatic Sciences; It is also preferred the selected candidate has the following:
• Coursework in Aquatic or Estuarine Ecology, General Biology, Zoology, Phycology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate Zoology, or Chemistry (including ELISA);
• Experience in Aquatic or Estuarine Ecology, General Biology, Zoology, Phycology, Ichthyology, Invertebrate Zoology, or Chemistry (including ELISA).

Not Applicable

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation.  The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of this position.  Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications will be placed on the Eligible List categorized as BEST QUALIFIED.  Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. 

Please report all related education, experience, dates and hours of work.  Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable.  Please note that you will be required by the appointing agency to provide proof upon hire of all certifications, licenses, educational and work experiences.

For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview).

Completed applications must be submitted by the closing date.  Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted.  Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.

Candidates may remain on the certified eligible list for a period of at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies. 

All Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration and Reform Control Act.  You must be legally authorized and possess any necessary documents under this Act in order to be hired in the position for which you applied.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits

Online applications are highly recommended.  However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application (and supplemental questionnaire) may be submitted to MDE, Recruitment and Selection Division, 1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore, MD 21230.  Paper application materials must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for the recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted.

If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload.  If you are unable to upload, please email the requested information to Peggie Jefferson, peggie.jefferson@maryland.gov.  Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment.  All additional information must be received by the closing date and time.  Please reference number: 21-002308-0004.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Peggie Jefferson/MDE Recruitment and Examination at 410-537-3879. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.

Appropriate accommodations for individuals with disabilities are available upon by calling 410-537-3100 or 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