Natural Resources Planner

Introduction

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.

The Natural Resources Planner I is an entry‑level position primarily responsible for providing general and technical support for the Air Monitoring Program within the Air and Radiation Administration. The role maintains a network of pollution monitoring equipment to assess the health of the State’s ambient air resources, engaging in compliance and research projects of moderate complexity. Work is divided between the lab at the Maryland Department of the Environment Headquarters (Montgomery Park North Building) and various field locations.

• Operate and maintain continuous and non‑continuous ambient air monitoring equipment, including analyzers for particulate matter, ozone, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen dioxide, along with their respective calibration systems.
• Prepare hard‑copy instrument logs and electronic data summaries for review by QA staff and Field Operation supervisors.
• Perform regular repairs and maintenance on air monitoring shelters, site property, and inlet/climate control systems.
• Drive a State vehicle; requires a valid driver’s license with no more than five points. Out‑of‑state license holders must provide a certified copy of their driving record from the appropriate Motor Vehicle Administration at the time of appointment.

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

Experience:

None.

Substitution options:
Applicants may substitute a Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, engineering, physical geography, or the physical, chemical, biological sciences and one year of experience in natural resources planning or applied environmental science; or U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in the general natural resources management and biological sciences classifications or specialty codes for one year‑for‑year.

• Hands‑on experience or knowledge of the operation, maintenance, calibration, and troubleshooting of continuous and manual‑based air monitoring instrumentation for PM, CO, NOx, SO2, O3, and their calibration systems.
• Knowledge and/or experience with state or federal regulations pertaining to instrument sampling and operation quality control procedures.
• Experience evaluating diagnostic information from air monitoring data acquisition systems, including pollutant concentrations and instrument operational parameters such as voltages, flow rates, PMT output, and temperatures.
• Hands‑on experience or knowledge of operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting HVAC systems, electrical installations/repairs, computer hardware installation/repair, or using hand and power tools.

• 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

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration and Reform Control Act of 1986.

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, retention, and promotion of 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.