The Maryland Department of the Environment is seeking a visionary, results-driven leader to serve as the Deputy Director of the Air & Radiation Administration. This is a pivotal executive role designed for an experienced pollution regulator who can blend technical expertise with operational excellence.
As Maryland aggressively pursues nation-leading goals in climate change mitigation, clean air, environmental justice, and radiological health protection, the Deputy Director will be the architect of the Air and Radiation Administration’s internal modernization efforts. The Deputy Director will report directly to the Director of Air & Radiation, serving as a primary partner in transforming how the State protects its atmosphere and its people.
The Deputy Director oversees seven diverse programs executing regulatory policies centered on clean air, radiation safety, and carbon pollution reduction. This role is central to Maryland’s commitment to equity, requiring a leader who can diagnose systemic Environmental Justice challenges and implement actionable solutions for overburdened communities.
The Deputy Director assists in the overall management and direction of the Air and Radiation Administration (ARA), holding delegated authority from the ARA Director to executeMaryland’s air quality, radiological health, and climate change missions under both state and federally delegated authorities. This role directs administrative, technical, and fiscaloperations to ensure the achievement of the Administration’s mandates and goals. The Deputy is also responsible for managing legal, fiscal, federal oversight, or reputational risk to the Department, and serves as the primary executive advisor to the Director on air quality andradiation-related risk and consequence management.
***This is a Management Service position and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.***
GRADE
24
LOCATION OF POSITION
1800 Washington Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21230
POSITION DUTIES
Executive Strategy & Operational and Fiscal Governance:
•Provides guidance and input in establishing and implementing long-range program goals, performance measures, and work procedures for the Administration.
•Supervises the various personnel activities of the Administration to include hiring, allocation of PINs, and disciplinary actions.
•Hears and issues decisions in grievances. Provides objective oversight for the
Administration’s employees by assisting the Director in developing and enforcing standardized Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency across Administration’s programs.
•Ensures effective implementation of all agency policies, including rigorous fiscal management. Implements effective oversight mechanisms to track the productivity of all staff, ensuring workload alignment with statutory deadlines, fiscal responsibility, and departmental goals.
•Identifies fiscal and programmatic options to meet departmental priorities and advises the Director on strategic adjustments.
•Advises the Director for areas of the Administration’s legal authority. Provides executive-level judgment and recommendations on high-risk policy, enforcement, and compliance matters involving the Clean Air Act and Radiation Control.
•Represents the State and the Department before the General Assembly, Congress, and federal agencies such as the USEPA and the USNRC.
Regulatory Excellence:
•As delegated by the Director, the Deputy oversees and manages the Administration’s integrated permitting, inspection, and compliance programs, including mobile/stationary source air controls, asbestos licensing, and radiation safety.
•Provides executive leadership for "modernized permitting" and digital transformation to improve turnaround times and workforce sustainability.
•Manages consent decrees and complex litigation-sensitive regulatory matters in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General.
Emergency Response Leadership:
•Assists the Director in providing executive oversight for emergency operations, including radiation accident response and critical air quality crises. May serve as the Department’s executive on call for air and radiation-related emergencies and the primary escalation point for the Director and/or Secretary during environmental crises or critical safety failures.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Six (6) years supervising professional staff in an environmental field or serving as an environmental project manager, including assigning tasks, setting priorities, and reviewing work products.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience implementing environmental programs, including areas such as the Clean Air Act, climate change mitigation, and/or radiological health protection.
Experience communicating environmental issues to the public, including air quality, environmental justice, climate change, radiological health, or other community impacts.
Experience managing environmental programs, including supervision of professional staff and oversight of program operations.
Experience with government administration, including budget management
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in engineering, biological, environmental, physical sciences, economics, or a degree in Environmental Law, Environmental Public Policy, or another related field.
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 placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.
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.
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.
