ADMINISTRATOR IV (State Plans & Policy Projects Senior Administrator)

MD; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Telework opportunities

Paid holidays

Health coverage

Pension plan

Job summary

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) invites applications for an Administrator IV in the Air Quality Planning Program. This senior role provides planning and technical leadership for NAAQS, SIP development, and regional conformity initiatives across MW A QC, IAQC, and BMC collaborations.

Key duties include policy coordination, drafting position letters, mentoring staff, and advancing state attainment strategies while ensuring legal and regulatory compliance in Maryland's air program.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; substitutions allowed for college credit hours and degrees per notes.
• Experience in administrative or professional roles with policy and regulatory focus.
• Preferred experience with SIPs, NAAQS, and Conformity processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and interpretation of SIPs for criteria pollutants to meet NAAQS.
• Coordinate policy projects, draft comment letters, and support regulatory implementation.
• Oversee regional conformity planning with MW A QC, IAQC, and BMC partners.
• Advise internal and external stakeholders on SIP and conformity requirements.
• Develop strategic pathways for attainment and streamline SIP processes.

Skills

Policy analysis

Regulatory coordination

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Introduction

This recruitment is limited to current Maryland State Government employees only.

We encourage you to consider an exciting career with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). If you are dedicated to protecting and preserving Maryland's air, water, land resources, and safeguarding the health of all its citizens, we invite you to apply and become a part of our team.

MDE is committed to a mission of protecting and restoring the environment for the health and well-being of all Marylanders, with a vision of healthy, vibrant, and sustainable communities and ecosystems throughout the state.

Location of Position

Air and Radiation Administration Air Quality Planning Program Air Quality Policy & Planning Division 1800 Washington Blvd. Baltimore, MD 21230

Main Purpose of Job

The Administrator IV serves as the State Plan and Policy Senior with the key role in providing planning and technical expertise for the development, interpretation, and implementation of the Department's plans and policies related to EPA's ozone, PM 2.5, SO2, NO2, and regional haze standards.

Position Duties

• NAAQS & SIP Leadership Focuses primarily on implementing the federal National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). Leads and coordinates the development, planning, and execution of State Implementation Plans (SIPs) for criteria air pollutants to ensure compliance with federal and regional requirements.
• Policy & Regulatory Support Coordinates policy-relevant projects, including drafting comment letters and position statements, and assisting with legal arguments that support the Department's objectives and help the state achieve NAAQS attainment. Evaluates policies, supports regulatory implementation, and contributes to long-term air quality strategies.
• Conformity & Multi-Jurisdictional Leadership Leads research and planning for conformity projects, holding full responsibility for regional initiatives involving the Metropolitan Washington Air Quality Committee (MWAQC), the Interstate Air Quality Committee (IAQC), and the Baltimore Metropolitan Council's (BMC) Freight Movement Task Force. MWAQC and IAQC work requires close collaboration with agencies in Virginia and the District of Columbia.
• Collaboration & Mentorship Advises and collaborates with internal ARA programs and external stakeholders on SIP and conformity requirements, while guiding lower-level Natural Resources Planners on complex projects.
• Strategic Development Develops and recommends innovative pathways for state attainment reclassification, methods to streamline the SIP process, and policy positions on state or federal actions that impact Maryland's attainment status or present legal concerns.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

• Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
• Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired or Preferred Qualifications

• State Implementation Plan (SIP) development: Experience with the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for criteria pollutants (O3, PM, NO2, CO, etc.), nonattainment designations, classifications, attainment plan requirements, redesignation requests and maintenance plans, etc., under Clean Air Act section 110 and Part D. Experience with SIP hearings and submission processes.
• Transportation Conformity: Experience with projects governed by the Transportation Conformity Rule (40 CFR Part 93, Subpart A). Includes developing and/or assessing mobile source emissions inventories and modeling for emissions budgets, working directly with Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), State Departments of Transportation (DOTs), and environmental agencies to ensure mobile budgets and long-range plans or transportation improvement plans meet emissions budgets, hot spot analysis, and leading or participating in interagency consultation General Conformity. Experience with projects governed by the General Conformity Rule (40 CFR Part 93, Subpart B). This includes reviewing estimated emissions, comparing them to de minimis levels and developing General Conformity letters.
• Clean Air Act policy projects. Experience evaluating proposed state or federal proposals and submitting formal comments to (1) protect agency interests and (2) build an administrative record for potential legal challenges. This includes evaluating proposals, developing legal and/or technological comments, and, where appropriate, requesting changes that align with the agency's policy goals.

Limitations on Selection

This recruitment is limited to current Maryland State Government employees only.

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

Should you possess a bachelor's/master’s degree from a college or university outside of the United States, you must have your educational credentials evaluated by an approved education review service. This evaluation must be submitted prior to hire. For further information, you may call International Consultants of Delaware, Inc. at 302-737-8715 or World Education Services Inc. at 1-800-932-3897 or 202-331-2925.

You must be legally authorized under the United States Immigration Reform and Control Act to be hired in the position for which you apply.

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.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and telework opportunities for many positions
• Free mass transit in Baltimore & anapolis
• Generous paid leave that increases with years of service
• Paid holidays
• Health coverage with low out-of-pocket costs
• Employee & employer contributory pension plan

Further Instructions

It is highly preferred that you apply online. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit the State paper application and supplemental questionnaire (by the closing date) to [e-mail] or mail to: Maryland Department of the Environment OHR - Recruitment and Examination Division 1800 Washington Blvd. Baltimore MD 21230

Resumes are not accepted in lieu of completing the application.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Olivia Sterrett at 410-537-3105. If you have difficulties submitting your online application, please contact the Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or [e-mail].

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

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. MDE is dedicated to creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where differences are celebrated.