Senior Planning Specialist (Zero Waste Programs), Grade 25

About the Department

WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Position Duties

• This position will be responsible for identifying and planning strategies to reduce waste, increase recycling, and help drive the County closer to zero waste. Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following: Researching and analyzing information, evaluating impacts of policy and program proposals in terms of cost effectiveness, stakeholder impact, and likely diversion. Identifying gaps and areas for improvement in the County's waste management and recycling programs; and recommending, planning, and coordinating the implementation of new and enhanced waste reduction and recycling programs, policies, and technologies Compiling information and research on policies, programs, and technologies in use in other jurisdictions to determine their feasibility in Montgomery County. Reviewing and analyzing data on waste generation and recycling to identify gaps in programs and policies to target future efforts. Analyzing the effectiveness of current recycling and waste reduction programs to identify areas for additional focus. Comprehensively plan new and enhanced programs, including identifying relevant steps, timelines, resource needs, and communication plans. Writing policy proposals, including new or amended regulations, bills, and/or guidance documents. Creating and communicating compelling and data-supported justifications for the adoption of new programs and policies, including for internal and external audiences. Developing programs to address near-term priority areas, including construction and demolition waste, reuse and repair, organics diversion, and alternative technologies to manage municipal solid waste. Working closely with other DEP and County representatives to incorporate feedback and ensure that new programs are designed to be feasible and coordinated with existing programs. Identifying and planning near-term actions that can be taken to make meaningful program quickly on priority Issues. Working with other planning staff in the ZWPD to develop short-, medium-, and long-range plans and projections layout out the County's path toward zero waste. This position involves occasional field work which includes site visits to solid waste, recycling, and other facilities. This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office. This position requires possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend site visits, stakeholder meetings, and other events outside the office. This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role. This position is designated as one that requires filing a Financial Disclosure Statement and you will be required to disclose information about your financial affairs. Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required. 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 will be responsible for identifying and planning strategies to reduce waste, increase recycling, and help drive the County closer to zero waste.
• Key duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Researching and analyzing information, evaluating impacts of policy and program proposals in terms of cost effectiveness, stakeholder impact, and likely diversion.
• Identifying gaps and areas for improvement in the County's waste management and recycling programs; and recommending, planning, and coordinating the implementation of new and enhanced waste reduction and recycling programs, policies, and technologies
• Compiling information and research on policies, programs, and technologies in use in other jurisdictions to determine their feasibility in Montgomery County.
• Reviewing and analyzing data on waste generation and recycling to identify gaps in programs and policies to target future efforts.
• Analyzing the effectiveness of current recycling and waste reduction programs to identify areas for additional focus.
• Comprehensively plan new and enhanced programs, including identifying relevant steps, timelines, resource needs, and communication plans.
• Writing policy proposals, including new or amended regulations, bills, and/or guidance documents.
• Creating and communicating compelling and data-supported justifications for the adoption of new programs and policies, including for internal and external audiences.
• Developing programs to address near-term priority areas, including construction and demolition waste, reuse and repair, organics diversion, and alternative technologies to manage municipal solid waste.
• Working closely with other DEP and County representatives to incorporate feedback and ensure that new programs are designed to be feasible and coordinated with existing programs.
• Identifying and planning near-term actions that can be taken to make meaningful program quickly on priority Issues.
• Working with other planning staff in the ZWPD to develop short-, medium-, and long-range plans and projections layout out the County's path toward zero waste.
• This position involves occasional field work which includes site visits to solid waste, recycling, and other facilities.
• This position requires the ability to attend meetings or perform work at locations outside the office.
• This position requires possession of a valid driver's license and the ability to drive a County vehicle to attend site visits, stakeholder meetings, and other events outside the office.
• This position requires completion of a pre-employment Medical History Form to assess your ability to safely perform the essential duties of the role.
• This position is designated as one that requires filing a Financial Disclosure Statement and you will be required to disclose information about your financial affairs.
• Occasional evening or weekend work outside of normal business hours may be required.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience : Five (5) years of experience in planning, developing, and/or implementing waste reduction and recycling programs, policies, or initiatives. Education : Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in an appropriate planning specialization or related field such as environmental studies, environmental science, environmental policy, planning, engineering, public administration, public policy, economics, political science, or related field. Equivalency : An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted. License : Possession of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence when required for job-related duties.
• Experience : Five (5) years of experience in planning, developing, and/or implementing waste reduction and recycling programs, policies, or initiatives.
• Education : Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in an appropriate planning specialization or related field such as environmental studies, environmental science, environmental policy, planning, engineering, public administration, public policy, economics, political science, or related field.
• Equivalency : An equivalent combination of education or experience may be substituted.
• License : Possession of a valid Class "C" (or equivalent) driver’s license from the applicant's state of residence when required for job-related duties.

Other Qualifications

• Preference for interviews will be given to applicants with experience in the following. Experience developing a new or improved program that had a quantifiable impact on reducing waste or recycling more. Background in federal, state, or local government waste and recycling policies, programs, and initiatives. Experience presenting, explaining, justifying and defending complex solid waste related mandates, policies and issues to various audiences and segments of the community. Experience managing projects and technical studies pertaining to waste reduction, reuse, and recycling, including multiple deliverables, milestones and deadlines. Experience developing metrics and other methods of evaluating the impact of recycling outreach or other behavior change strategies.

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

Benefits

• 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

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

Supplemental Questions