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NATURAL RESOURCES PLANNER V

Deep Creek Lake Manager

Recruitment #25-002310-0001

Introduction

This is a position specific recruitment for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service. This recruitment will be used to fill current vacancies for the position and may be used to fill future vacancies in the same classification/function. Future vacancies may also be filled via other recruitments. The resulting eligible list will be maintained for one year.

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area, 73 Brant Road Swanton, MD 21561 (Garrett County)

Main Purpose of Job

The Planner V “Lake Manager” position at the Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) is a senior leadership role with extensive responsibilities in managing one of Maryland's most valued environmental and recreational assets. This position provides strategic direction, administrative oversight, and specialized support to staff, ensuring that all planning, fiscal, and operational activities align with the mission and goals of the NRMA and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

The Lake Manager oversees diverse areas of resource management, including natural resources preservation, land and water access, recreational programming, and visitor engagement. This role requires in-depth expertise to guide and participate in the development of research and demonstration projects essential to effective resource planning and management. The scope of work includes the stewardship of 65 miles of shoreline, issuance of over 1,900 annual use permits to adjacent property owners, and oversight of nine commercial marinas serving the public on Maryland’s largest freshwater lake, encompassing 3,900 acres. Additionally, the manager is tasked with enforcing the terms of a Conservation Easement covering more than 1,500 parcels, requiring regular inspections and processing requests for minimal development. Annually, Deep Creek Lake attracts more than 1.2 million visitors, underscoring its significance as a destination for outdoor recreation. To maintain the quality and sustainability of the lake and its surrounding natural areas, the Lake Manager coordinates critical activities such as issuing permits for docks, assessing requests for land and water use, conducting surveys, and performing data collection for resource monitoring and recreational analysis. They play an instrumental role in the Governor-appointed Deep Creek Lake Policy and Review Board, acting as the primary DNR representative, providing policy insights, and serving as a main conduit for information to Board members.

In addition, the Lake Manager handles complex evaluations of applications related to land use and ecological systems, interpreting and applying scientific data on a range of environmental factors such as hydrography, ecology, and limnology. They review, document, and authorize permits for adjacent property owners and investigate reported regulatory violations, coordinating enforcement as necessary. Operating at the highest level of natural resources planning, the position also entails regional, state, and intergovernmental planning collaborations, under the general oversight of the Regional Manager. This role involves extensive engagement with various agencies, consultants, civic organizations, and professionals in fields such as environmental science, parks and recreation, and fisheries management. The Lake Manager gathers and analyzes data to guide strategies for protecting and optimizing Deep Creek Lake’s natural resources. They are also responsible for preparing reports, manuals, and documents for public dissemination, policy board review, and interagency use. As a lead advocate for the Maryland Park Service (MPS) and DNR, the Lake Manager is instrumental in advancing policies and regulations that govern Deep Creek Lake, guided by COMAR 08.08.05, which mandates their fiscal, operational, and resource management responsibilities for the NRMA and the Deep Creek Lake Special Fund. Overall, the Lake Manager not only ensures the ecological integrity of Deep Creek Lake but also enhances its value as a major recreational and environmental asset for Maryland, balancing preservation with public enjoyment and compliance.

POSITION DUTIES

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Maryland Park Service is accepting applications for a Natural Resources Planner V (Lake Manager) for Deep Creek Lake Natural Resources Management Area (NRMA) in Swanton, Maryland (Garrett County).

This position is responsible for management and oversight of Deep Creek Lake NRMA. This is a complex role that requires extensive experience in land, water and recreation management while balancing stakeholder and community engagement. Planning projects include the review and interpretation of data involving land use, various recreational uses, and natural resources protection of Deep Creek Lake. The position is also responsible for reviewing permits for adjacent property owners and other individuals, organizations and stakeholders proposed projects on and around the lake. The lake manager is also responsible for attending public meetings for the purpose of formulating, recommending and implementing plans, policies and regulations pertaining to Deep Creek Lake.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:   A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management, or development.

Experience: Seven years of experience in natural resources planning or an applied environmental science.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the 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 or environmental sciences and one year of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a 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, chemical, biological or environmental sciences for up to three years of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctorate 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, chemical, biological or environmental sciences for up to five years of the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience with applying, reviewing and/or issuing governmental permits.
  • Project or program management experience, either managing technical applications of projects or personnel.
  • Experience operating and maintaining power vessels.
  • Experience in completing collaborative projects involving multiple partners and stakeholders.
  • Excellent communications skills (verbal and written), particularly as it relates to communicating complex information and/or resolving potential conflicts

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 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 may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you provide all the experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Department of Natural Resources, Human Resources, 580 Taylor Avenue, C-3 Annapolis, MD 21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.

 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 at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division. Please note, standard business hours for the help desk are 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Inquiries made after hours will be reviewed the following business day. 

If you need to make adjustments to a submitted application or if you have general inquiries regarding this recruitment, please contact Emilee Knott at Emilee.Knott@maryland.gov

Supplemental materials and/or edits to your application will not be accepted once the announcement deadline has passed. Candidates will only be able to submit an application once, so it is extremely important that you are following the application instructions. 

Please provide ample time to complete the application template. If you are having technical difficulties submitting an application on the day of the deadline, it is strongly advised that you complete the JobAps physical application template and hand deliver to DNR - HRS at 580 Taylor Avenue, Annapolis, MD 21401 before 4:30 p.m. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources cannot guarantee that late submissions, as a result of technical difficulties, will be accepted. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay 

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 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.


Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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