Senior Planning Specialist – Zero Emission Vehicles (Grade 25)
Montgomery County Government
Department of Environmental Protection
2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, Maryland 20902

Salary Range: $67,156 to $111,407

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.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich has unveiled the Climate Action Plan that will guide the County toward its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent by 2027 and by 100 percent by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. The Montgomery climate plan, which will increase resilience in the face of climate hazards, is one of the most ambitious climate plans in the nation for a local government.

Reducing emissions from private sector vehicles is an essential component of the County’s Climate Action Plan (CAP). Electric vehicle-related actions are among those evaluated in the plan as most effective in reducing transportation emissions, which according to the CAP account for 42 percent of the County’s overall GHG emissions.

DEP is seeking a Senior Planning Specialist to join the Office of Energy and Climate in order to work with local, State and regional stakeholders, including utilities, governments, businesses, residents, non-profit organizations, the vehicle industry (including manufacturers and dealers), and the community at large to develop and implement a strategic plan to achieve adoption of zero-emission programs that will accelerate the turnover of the private internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including electric vehicles (EVs). This position will function as the lead for the County on all issues related to private sector EV/ZEV adoption.

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Developing and managing implementation of a strategic plan to achieve private sector adoption of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and increase Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE – EV Charging Stations).
  • Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders, peer jurisdictions, and members of the public on the development, review, and adoption of a ZEV strategic plan.
  • Research, analyze, and implement actions and strategies to accelerate private sector ZEV adoption and EV charging infrastructure deployment, including but not limited to legislative actions, policies, and zoning/code requirements.
  • Creating programs that support and incentivize the adoption of ZEVs by residents and businesses in the County, and developing metrics to evaluate program success.
  • Developing and maintaining partnerships related to ZEV adoption, including with industry representatives, businesses, peer jurisdictions, public utilities, and other stakeholders.
  • Producing educational and outreach materials, campaigns, and presentations to promote ZEV-related programs, with attention to racial equity and social justice concerns.
  • Identifying, procuring, and managing consultant and budget needs to support policy and program elements of the ZEV strategic plan and supporting private fleet electrification programs.

The ideal candidate will have considerable knowledge of law, policies, strategies, and technology related to zero-emission vehicles and EV charging infrastructure, as well as experience in strategic plan development and implementation, stakeholder engagement, and community outreach.

The successful candidate must have the ability to work in a collaborative environment within a large organization with multiple priorities, and have excellent interpersonal and communication skills. The ideal candidate must also be highly organized and detailed oriented, and have the ability to deal tactfully, effectively, and equitably with people.

Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required.

This position requires possession of a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend meetings, engagement events, and perform other work at locations outside the office, including locations throughout Montgomery County and other places in the Washington Metropolitan region, in support of the adoption of zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicles, which will also entail carrying and transporting outreach materials, presentation equipment, and driving County electric vehicles in the fleet for display at various outreach events.

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.

NOTE: Effective August 30, 2021, all new hires will be required to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus prior to their first date of employment.  Individuals who are unable to be vaccinated should contact OHR@montgomerycountymd.gov to discuss possible accommodations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

Experience: Thorough (five (5) years) experience in transportation-related programs, preferably zero-emission or electric vehicle policies and programs.

Education:  Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in Transportation, Environmental Policy/Planning, Sustainability, Public Administration, or closely related field.

Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.

License: Possession and maintenance at all times of a valid Class “C” (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant’s state of residence.

PREFERRED CRITERIA

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR for minimum qualifications. Those applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be rated “Qualified,” placed on the Eligible List, and may be considered for interview.

Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following:

  • Knowledge of general strategies and approaches to promoting ZEV use in the private sector
  • Demonstrated experience with the development and implementation of a strategic plan.
  • Experience with partnership development, stakeholder coordination, and/or community engagement on climate- and/or transportation-related initiatives.
  • Ability to present, to explain, to justify, and to defend complex and controversial legislative policies and issues.
  • Direct experience with the organization and processes of a local government related to transportation policies and initiatives.

Montgomery County Government offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

To view the complete job announcement and to apply, please visit our website at https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/HR/Recruitment/MCGCareers.html  and click on the “Search for Jobs at MCG” tab.  Read the full job description under the “General Professional” Job Category.  Interested candidates must create an online account in order to apply.

The requisition number is IRC50963.

This Recruitment Closes October 21, 2021

All resume submissions must address the preferred criteria for the position, which are listed in the full advertisement, preferably in a separate section of the resume.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the Resume Preparation Tips listed under the “Resources” tab on the Office of Human Resource’s MCG Careers webpage.

EOE. M/F/H.