GEOLOGIST MANAGER, ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMS

The Land and Materials Administration, Solid Waste Program is recruiting for a Geologist Manager, Environmental Program. 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.   This is a Management Service position that serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

21

Maryland Department of the Environment/Land Management Administration

Solid Waste Program

1800 Washington Blvd., Baltimore MD  21230

The main purpose of this position is to serve as the Chief of the Solid Waste Operations Division (SWOD) in the Solid Waste Program. The duties of this position involve a variety of activities in direct support of MDE’s Goal of Ensuring Safe Drinking Water.  This is accomplished through the review of Refuse Disposal Permit applications, Groundwater Discharge Permit applications for unlined rubble landfills, environmental monitoring plans, groundwater and landfill gas monitoring data, solid waste facility closure plans, coal combustion byproduct management plans, natural wood waste recycling facility permit applications, and the construction of the liner systems for all sanitary landfills in Maryland, in order to prevent water pollution and other adverse impacts from these facilities.  The incumbent’s knowledge of geology, groundwater movement, and environmental engineering is critical to the successful performance of these responsibilities.

The position duties involve management of the operations of the Division, which consists of three principal elements: 1) the Construction and Maintenance Section, which is charged with reviewing permit applications, performing construction inspections, and reviewing closure and post-closure plans for all operating landfills in the State; 2) the Solid Waste Facilities Unit, which reviews permit applications and issues refuse disposal permits for the non-landfill solid waste facilities such as incinerators, waste-to-energy facilities, processing facilities and transfer stations, and Natural Wood Waste Recycling facilities; and 3) the Investigations and Remediation Section, which is responsible for review of environmental monitoring data, remedial investigations and plans, as well as, monitoring plans, and for performing related technical functions concerning solid waste, sewage sludge storage and other regulated facilities.  The incumbent in this position is responsible for supervising the activities of these two sections and one unit to accomplish the Program’s goals, and for performing a variety of administrative, supervisory, and technical functions related to Program, Administration, and Departmental goals.  Determinations made by the incumbent directly affect the utilization of up to $2 million in Departmental funds each year, and impact construction projects by County and other landfill operators that typically total about $20-$25 million per year statewide.

The duties of this position may require the incumbent to drive a State vehicle.  Employees that drive State vehicles will be required to maintain a motor vehicle operations license valid in the State of Maryland with 5 or less points on their driving record.   

Working Conditions of the position include:

• Work involves exposure to uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings.  The job involves some work outdoors in all weather conditions, and takes place at landfills, illegal garbage dumps, sludge sites, scrap tire sites, refuse and sludge composting plants, wastewater treatment plants, industrial waste landfills, and other locations which may be considered highly odorous, unsightly, unsanitary or unpleasant.  A significant amount of travel by vehicle, and an extensive amount of walking on rough terrain is required. 
• Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions.  Landfills and other waste disposal sites are usually very busy places with heavy equipment and heavy truck traffic, which can present a danger to the incumbent.  The job entails some opportunities for exposure to known or unknown waste materials that can pose risk through physical, chemical, bacteriological, or radiological hazards for which training is provided. 
• Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more. 
• Special EPA approved personnel protective training to use specialized equipment such as supplied-air-respirators is required and is provided.  Required training includes a 40-hour EPA and OSHA approved training session, as well as, annual 8 hour refresher training. Basic protective equipment provided includes steel-toed boots, rain-and chemically resistant outer garments, respirators, dust masks, assorted protective gloves, goggles, hard hats, and earplugs. 

Education:  A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science.

Experience:  Seven years of experience performing professional geological work, two years of this experience must have involved one or more of the following: the supervision of a professional environmental staff, overseeing and coordinating the general operations of a unit, or exercising responsibility for the development of policies or procedures. 

Note:  Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in Geology, Environmental Geology or a related earth science for the required education and 1 year of the required experience.  

It is preferred that the selected candidates have the following:

• Experience in supervising scientific and engineering staff; 
• Experience in the geotechnical investigation of proposed sites for landfills or other large structures; 
• Experience reviewing groundwater monitoring data;
• Experience performing hydrologic evaluations of landfills or other pollutant sources; 
• Experience preparing or reviewing geotechnical reports; 
• Experience training junior or entry level engineers and/or geologists;
• Experience in public speaking;
• Technical writing skills for preparing inspection reports and developing policies and design criteria;   
• Familiarity with Maryland's laws and regulations regarding solid waste; and 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint)

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the minimum /selective/preferred qualifications for this recruitment.  All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date.  Information submitted after this date will not be considered.  Applicants that meet the qualifications will be referred to the hiring unit for consideration of an interview/selection.  To be qualified for referral, the candidates must demonstrate possession of the required qualifications, within  their applications.

Your application is part of the examination process.  The assessment will be a rating of your education, training and experience related to the requirements of this position.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate educational and employment information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified and placed on the employment list for at least one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to select employees.  Education credentials and experience verification will be completed by the Appointing Authority.  If you are scheduled to complete an education or licensing requirement within six months of the examination, you may participate in the examination process, if one is required.  Please note that you will be required by the appointing agency to provide proof upon hire of all certifications, licenses, educational and work experiences. 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 apply.  For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

 

It is STRONGLY preferred that you apply online. However, if you are unable to apply online, or encounter difficulty attaching required or optional documentation, you may submit a paper application & supplemental questionnaire, (if applicable) via mail or deliver in person. Please be sure to include your name, identification number (Easy ID#) and reference number on any documentation to ensure timely processing.

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

Completed applications, required documentation, transcripts, and any required addendums may be mailed to:

Tammy Lewis, Manager, Recruitment & Examination Unit

Reference#: 20-001037-0001

(Office) 410-537-3130/(Fax) 410-537-3966

Email: tammy.lewis@maryland.gov

The MD State Application Form can be found online

PLEASE NOTE: The Maryland Department of the Environment participates in the E-Verify Program.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

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