Coastal and Marine Project Specialist

Main Purpose of Job
The main purpose of this position is to advance the State’s climate resilience, public water access planning, and habitat restoration efforts through application of the best available science. The Coastal & Marine Project Specialist will apply climate, restoration, public access planning, and ecology knowledge within marine and coastal environments to solve problems at the intersection of communities, built infrastructure and the environment. This work supports Department and coastal management goals related to climate change, public access, water quality, and habitat enhancement.
POSITION DUTIES
This position will support Unit restoration activities managed through the Center for Resilient Communities and Landscapes. This position provides technical, project review, and project management assistance for natural and nature-based practices that reduce community and ecosystem vulnerabilities, provide public access to Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays resources, and enhance habitat. Practices may include living shoreline, wetland restoration, stormwater management, riparian and other projects funded through the Resilience through Restoration Initiative.

This position will support public access planning, including site level assessment and planning, project review and project management assistance, as well as siting, targeting and prioritization of vulnerable public access sites within the Coastal Zone. Projects may include public recreation, boating, ADA, marina, or natural and nature-based elements that enhance accessibility to the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays resources while reducing community and ecosystem vulnerabilities.

This is a full-time position with state benefits based out of Annapolis, MD. Travel is required to sites across Maryland’s coastal zone to conduct site assessments and other fieldwork

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:

1. Candidates may substitute 30 college 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 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
The preferred candidate will have knowledge and experience with:
Bachelor of Science degree or higher in an environmental science or natural resources planning, management or development,  engineering- or landscape-architecture-related field. 
Experience with visualization or mapping software, such as ESRI ArcGIS or AutoCAD
Experience reviewing or managing habitat restoration and/or public water access projects (e.g. living shorelines; boating infrastructure; ADA compliant access) and capability to read and interpret engineering drawings or site plans.
Knowledge of climate change and its potential impacts on the built and natural environments.
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.