Assistant Director, Research, Review and Policy Division – Maryland Department of Planning (MDP)

This position serves as the Assistant Director of the Research, Review and Policy Division for the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and has a diverse set of responsibilities working with internal staff and external stakeholders on planning challenges facing Maryland and local jurisdictions and ensuring timely progress on MDP’s projects, programs, and priorities.

Responsibilities include decisions and recommendations that support the Division Director and comprise MDP’s official position on a variety of matters that affect state and local legislation; local policies, programs, and plans; and state programs that significantly affect transportation, protection and restoration of environmental resources, agricultural and natural resource land preservation, sustainable growth, and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

The position works with other staff from MDP, other state agencies, local governments, federal agencies, stakeholders, and the public toward addressing Governor Moore’s priorities for the state of Maryland. The position also contributes to MDP’s vision for sustainable growth to ensure Maryland achieves economic prosperity for all through the development of plans, policies, and places that have embraced diversity, treasured all shared heritages, and upheld human well-being and ecological regeneration as paramount.

To facilitate sustainable growth; support vibrant, thriving, resilient and revitalized communities; and ensure consistency and alignment of plans and projects, the Assistant Director of the Review, Research and Policy Division, in coordination with the Division Director, Assistant Secretary of Planning Services and other MDP leadership:

• Participates in the development and implementation of state-level policies and plans to ensure achievement of sustainable growth objectives, including transportation, land reuse and redevelopment, ecological resources regeneration, land preservation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation policies and plans.
• Oversees or supports implementation of mandated programs that facilitate or encourage best planning practices and sustainable growth.
• Coordinates and completes mandatory intergovernmental and departmental reviews of proposed local, state and regional projects and plans to ensure alignment with state sustainable growth policies.
• Responds to inquiries from residents, legislators, nongovernmental organizations, local governments, and other stakeholders regarding MDP mandated responsibilities.
• Identifies significant gaps, needs and deficiencies within local, state and regional planning efforts to inform MDP’s planning best practices education and outreach.
• Completes research in support of all MDP initiatives.

The Assistant Director of the Research, Review and Policy Division coordinates with and follows the direction of the Division Director to support and guide the work of the Division’s units. The position supports the Division Director with managerial and administrative functions of the units, including supervision of staff, project and program management, and development and monitoring of work programs and progress reports. As needed, this position also works with the MDP External Affairs unit to address legislative matters requiring subject matter expertise.