ADMINISTRATOR IV (State Plans & Policy Projects Senior Administrator)

State of Maryland; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Telework opportunities

Free mass transit in Baltimore & Annap

Generous paid leave

Paid holidays

Health coverage

Pension plan

Job summary

State of Maryland, Department of the Environment (MDE) in Baltimore, MD, is seeking an Administrator IV to serve as the State Plan and Policy Senior. Lead planning and technical expertise for EPA standards including ozone, PM2.5, SO2, NO2, and regional haze, ensuring SIP attainment and regulatory alignment.

The role focuses on developing state strategies, coordinating with MW AQC, IAQC, and BMC, and mentoring staff on complex projects within the Air Quality Planning Program.

Qualifications

• Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
• High school diploma or equivalency.
• Substitution options for experience or degrees as described in the ad.

Responsibilities

• Lead NAAQS and SIP implementation efforts for air pollutants.
• Coordinate policy letters, comments, and regulatory support.
• Lead regional conformity and multi‑jurisdictional projects with MW AQC, IAQC, and BMC.
• Mentor junior staff on complex SIP and conformity projects.
• Develop strategies for attainment reclassification and SIP processes.

Skills

NAAQS expertise

SIP development

Policy analysis

Regulatory coordination

Multi-jurisdiction collaboration

Leadership

Job description

Introduction

We encourage you to consider an exciting career with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). 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.

GRADE

STD0019

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

Applicants must satisfy the minimum qualifications to be considered for this position and move forward in the hiring process. Please read all requirements before applying.

• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.
• 1. Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.
• 2. 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.
• 3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.
• 4. 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

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 the information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified and 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.

BENEFITS

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

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

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.