MONTGOMERY COUNTY GOVERNMENT Code No. 7922
ROCKVILLE, MARYLAND (Non-Merit)

CLASS SPECIFICATION

DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

DEFINITION OF CLASS:

This is executive level work directing the operations of the Department of Environmental Protection. Contacts are with high ranking legislative and executive officials within County Government, officials of equivalent rank in other governmental jurisdictions, and private sector and community organizations or groups. The purposes of the contacts include presenting, justifying and defending controversial positions where conflicting and opposing viewpoints, goals and objectives are strongly advocated and must be reconciled to develop suitable alternatives or arrive at acceptable compromises.

The employee in this class plans, develops, implements, and evaluates overall County environmental protection policies and programs by directing subordinate managers to: ensure stormwater facility maintenance requirements are fulfilled; enforce County air pollution, water quality and noise control ordinances; sample ground and surface water quality; prepare the Comprehensive Water Supply and Sewerage Systems and Comprehensive; prepare and implement the Comprehensive Stream Protection Strategy, the Forest Preservation Strategy, the Groundwater Protection Strategy, the Air Quality Management Strategy and the Energy Conservation Plan in both the private sector and among public agencies; enforce County codes and regulations governing a wide range of activities. The work is performed under broadly defined missions and functions, and general administrative direction with little technical guidance. The employee exercises full and final responsibility and accountability for all matters associated with completing work assignments including determining the work to be performed and the methods used. In addition, the employee has management responsibility for planning and managing all human capital and financial resources of the Department. Results of the work are considered technically authoritative and evaluated in terms of the Department's role in promoting a safe and healthy environment. Guidelines consist of broad policy directives and basic legislation and require the employee to use considerable judgment in interpreting the intent of the guidelines and generating specific policies and guidance for use by subordinate managers in developing various components of the overall environmental protection program. The complexity of the work is reflected in the need for planning, directing and integrating a broad range of environmental protection functions and programs. The work requires consideration of issues concerning the protection of the public from unsafe and unhealthful conditions in the environment, and development of solutions that accommodate conflicting objectives from a variety of organizations, groups and individuals. The work of directing the environmental protection system is essential to the mission of the County Government and affects the health and safety of all County residents. The work is primarily sedentary, performed in a typical office setting, and subject to common everyday risks.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: (Illustrative Only)

Develops environmental protection programs and controls to promote the safety and well being of County residents.
Directs the enforcement and revisions of County environmental ordinances and regulations.
Develops practices and procedures for carrying out Departmental programs and provides for regular evaluation and appropriate revision of such practices and procedures.
Directs the preparation and administration of the Department's annual budget, CIP submission, work program and Public Service Program.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with local, regional, State and Federal agencies engaged in the field of environmental protection, with the news media and the general public.
Addresses governmental organizations and business and civic groups concerning objectives and activities of the environmental protection program.
Conducts studies to determine causes of environmental protection problems and the methods of eliminating such problems.
Directs preparation of County's 10 year Water and Sewer Plan as well as other Natural Resource Protection Strategies.
Carries prime responsibility for conduct of environmental planning, policy development, and program implementation to ensure adequate water, sewerage, and other environmental services.
Directs inspection activities to ensure compliance with State and County regulations and codes relating to air, water, and noise pollution.
Represents Montgomery County, and periodically serves as Chair, on a variety of regional environmental committees with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments.
Performs other related duties as required.

RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience: Extensive (7 years) experience in environmental services, with at least four (4) years in a managerial or supervisory capacity which included responsibility for fund and budget administration, program planning, implementation and administration.
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master's Degree in environmental science/management, engineering, biological/physical sciences, public administration, or related field.
Equivalency: An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Extensive knowledge of modern methods, principles, techniques and practices of public health engineering, and application of the physical, biological, and chemical sciences of environmental protection.
Extensive knowledge of Federal, State and local environmental protection policies and standards.
Extensive knowledge of local government functions and organizations.
Skill in planning, developing, implementing and administering a broad range of environmental protection functions and programs carried out by a large number of employees with a wide range of skills.
Skill in negotiating agreements which accommodate conflicting interests and viewpoints of numerous groups and organizations.
Skill in oral and written communication sufficient to develop defenses or justifications of decisions reached.
Skill in conducting and evaluating technical research on environmental protection problems to establish proper corrective procedures.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with other governmental and bi county agencies, private organizations and the general public
Ability to lead, inspire, motivate, evaluate and counsel subordinate management/supervisory staff and to delegate responsibility to them as appropriate.
Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively; listen effectively and share information both internally and externally.
Ability to attend meetings and perform work assignments at locations outside the office.

LICENSE: None.

MEDICAL GROUP: Medical History Review.

Class Established: February, 1972
Revised: July, 1987
December, 2002