Land Use Planning Policy Analyst, Grade N27

Montgomery County, MD is seeking a full-time Land Use Planning Policy Analyst specializing in Environmental Planning. The role involves developing strategic plans and policy recommendations for sustainable materials management, focusing on waste reduction, reuse, and recycling. Candidates should have experience in statistical analysis, technical studies, and strong interpersonal skills. The position is based in Rockville, MD, with an annual salary range of $88,406 to $142,495.
Salary : $88,406.00 - $142,495.00 Annually
Location : 2425 Reedie Dr Wheaton MD 20902 USA
Job Type: Permanent
Job Number: 2024 - 00281
Department: Department of Environmental Protection
Division: DEP 80 Waste Reduction and Recycling
Opening Date: 10/11/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
FLSA: Exempt

About the Position

The expected salary ranges on hire are: $84,599 - $126,123
WHO WE ARE
The mission of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is to enhance the quality of life in our community by protecting and improving Montgomery County's air, water, and land in a sustainable, innovative, inclusive, and industry-leading way while fostering smart growth, a thriving more sustainable economy and healthy communities. DEP is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and values diverse perspectives, lived experiences, and cultures. DEP encourages BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color), immigrants, women, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply.
WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR
DEP is seeking to fill a fulltime Land Use Planning Policy Analyst position (specializing in Environmental Planning) in the Recycling and Resource Management Division to independently develop comprehensive strategic plans and policy recommendations on sustainable materials management, specifically focused on strategies for waste reduction, reuse and recycling.
The successful candidate will have the following experience, knowledge, and skills:
• Thorough knowledge of the strategies and approaches of waste reduction, recycling, and reuse principles and practices.
• Thorough knowledge of statistical analysis methods, skill in interpreting information and numerical research data, and preparing comprehensive reports to document program and initiative performance.
• Considerable experience in directing and planning technical studies covering a wide range of issues in sustainable materials management.
• Ability and skill to present, explain, justify, and defend (orally and in writing) complex issues, regulatory or legislative policies and any proposed modifications, and recommended courses of action.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, strong sense of collaboration, and "people" skills, with expertise in consensus building and working with issues for positive resolution - both within the organization and with external organizations and stakeholder groups.
• Ability to effectively supervise a staff of professional and support personnel in the accomplishment of planning objectives.
• Considerable knowledge of the principles and practices of contract administration.
• Ability to conduct and prepare economic cost-benefit analyses on complex program issues.

What You'll Be Doing
The Land Use Planning Policy Analyst will lead and oversee work involving the analysis of nonstandard waste reduction, reuse and recycling information, the conceptualization of unprecedented, creative, and innovative sustainable materials management approaches, identifying various waste management approaches and alternatives, and developing planning and policy recommendations which affect sustainable materials management. This position will present the recommended planning, policy, and program recommendations to higher level officials.
Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
• Perform research, benchmarking, evaluation and assessment for innovative and forward-leaning strategies, initiatives and activities to further reduce waste generation, encourage donation, repair/refurbishing of items and materials to increase reuse, and increase recycling achievement.
• Develop strategic plans and policy recommendations and develop programs and initiatives to implement policies to further reduce the amount of waste generated, increase reuse, and maximize recycling in the County.
• Direct research studies, perform cost-benefit analyses, review and draft legislation and regulations, and prepare strategies for sustainable materials management and new and enhanced programs and initiatives to reduce waste, reuse and recycle more, fully coordinated with other interrelated planning efforts.
• Plan, direct, assign, review, and supervise the work of professional and support staff on the New and Enhanced Waste Reduction, Reuse and Recycling Initiatives within the Waste Reduction and Recycling Section.
• Provide guidance and leadership in conducting formal briefings and presentations for County officials, and citizen and community groups to advise, recommend, explain, and defend planning proposals pertaining to planning for new and enhanced waste reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives and garner support of officials and groups.
• Prepare annual operating budget and Capital Improvements Program recommendations related to planning for new and enhanced waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives.
• Provide guidance and leadership on a team in selecting consultants, determining elements of contractual performance, managing contractor performance, and monitoring compliance of contractors with established requirements as well as deliverables, budgetary and schedule targets.
• Represent the County Government on interagency/ interjurisdictional boards and organizations on matters relating to the planning for new and enhanced waste reduction, reuse, and recycling initiatives and related issues.

To ensure a positive workplace and to comply with federal, state and County laws, the incumbent is responsible for completing mandatory trainings within the first three to six months or within the specified timeframe.
This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside of the office, including Montgomery County and other places in the Washington Metropolitan region.
Minimum Qualifications

Experience: Thorough (six (6) years) experience in planning, developing, analyzing, and/or implementing new and enhanced waste reduction, reuse and/or recycling programs.

Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Urban/Community Planning, Public Policy, Environmental Science or related field.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted.
Preferred Criteria, Interview Preferences
All Applicants will be reviewed by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated "Qualified", placed on the referred list, and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications of the same grade or higher will be placed on the Referred List as a "Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.
Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
• Experience in planning for new, improved and enhanced waste reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives, including programming, including development of strategic and implementation plans, policies, procedures, laws, and regulations.
• Experience and skill in data collection, data analysis and interpretation for use in formulating strategic recommendations for establishing and improving on new and enhanced waste reduction, reuse and recycling initiatives plans, policies, mandates, programs, and initiatives.
• Experience conducting and preparing economic cost-benefit analyses on complex program issues.
• Experience in research, benchmarking, and survey research, analyzing varied information and using it to conceptualize innovative new and enhanced initiatives to further reduce waste, increase reuse, and maximize recycling.
• Experience communicating, presenting, and discussing complex issues, strategies and recommendations on potentially contentious solid waste related topics to a variety of stakeholder groups, impacted segments of the public, constituents, or other interested parties both orally and in writing.
• Experience supervising multiple professional and support personnel, including providing direction, guidance, and mentoring, as well as ensuring accountability in performance.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Office of Human Resources (OHR) reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based solely on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position.

Montgomery County Government(MCG) is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should email OHR at OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

MCG also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, refer to the Careers webpage on Hiring Preference.

All applicants will respond to a series of questions related to their education, relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities required to minimally perform the job. The applicant's responses in conjunction with their resume and all other information provided in the employment application process will be evaluated to determine the minimum qualifications and preferred criteria or interview preference status. Based on the results, the highest qualified applicants will be placed on an Eligible List and may be considered for an interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on the Eligible List as a "Lateral Transfer" candidate and may be considered for an interview.

This will establish an Eligible List that may be used to fill both current and future vacancies.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

Montgomery County Ethics Law: Except as provided by law or regulation, the County's "Public Employees" (which does not include employees of the Sheriff's office) are subject to the County's ethics law including the requirements to obtain advanced approval of any outside employment and the prohibitions on certain outside employment. The outside employment requirements of the ethics law can be found at 19A-12 of the County Code. Additional information about outside employment can be obtained from the Ethics Commission website.
Leave Benefits

Our generous leave package starts with non-MLS permanent and term employees earning 15 days of sick leave and 15 days of annual leave in their first year, as well as up to three additional personal days each calendar year. Positions in MLS earn 35 days of paid time off each year. In addition, we offer all employees 10 paid holidays. Our leave policies adhere to the Family Medical Leave Act of 1993, and we provide six weeks of paid parental leave for new parents.

Retirement Benefits

All permanent and term positions are eligible for robust retirement plans. Public safety positions are eligible for a defined benefit pension plan in which they are vested after only five years. Employees in non-public safety positions can participate in retirement plans that contribute up to 12 percent of their annual salary. All employees can also participate in a supplemental retirement plan, the 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, to contribute even more to their retirement goals.

Tuition Assistance & Student Loan Forgiveness

Montgomery County employees are eligible to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Participants who meet all requirements may qualify for forgiveness on the remaining balance on their Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time in a qualifying public service position. To learn more about PSLF, please visit the Student Loan Repayment Benefits page. Our tuition assistance program allows you to receive up to $2,130 annually in tuition assistance to help you achieve a degree that supports your career path.

Free Mass Transit Benefit

County employees are entitled to use the RideOn Bus service for free with a valid County-employee ID. This benefit can be used any time of the day or evening, including weekends. We also offer a pre-tax flexible spending account to reduce the cost of other mass-transit options such as MARC trains and Metro.

Reduced Child and Health Care Costs

Working for Montgomery County also entitles permanent and term employees to participate in healthcare and childcare Flexible Spending Accounts. These plans allow eligible employees to save on a pretax basis for healthcare and dependent care costs incurred during the plan year.

Employee Wellbeing

We deeply care about your holistic wellness. Our award-winning wellness program, LiveWell, will support you in improving and maintaining your physical, mental, financial, social, and intellectual well-being.

Learn more about our wonderful benefits available to you once you join our team. Montgomery County Benefits
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MQ Question

What is your highest level of completed education?
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• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
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MQ Question

How many years of experience do you have planning, developing, analyzing, and/or impl...