Assistant Division Chief, Technical Analysis Section (Environmental Manager II)

Maryland Department of Transportation•Baltimore City, MD

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Division Chief supports the Division Chief of the Environmental Planning Division by overseeing the Technical Analysis Section within the State Highway Administration’s Office of Planning and Preliminary Engineering. The position provides leadership to teams specializing in highway noise, natural resources, and air quality, ensuring technical work complies with state and federal requirements and policies. The role manages the Noise Analysis Team’s workload, including highway noise studies, technical reports, public communications, and community noise impact studies. It directs planning and prioritization of studies and research to ensure compliance with 23 CFR 772, and serves as the agency’s primary liaison to the Federal Highway Administration on noise policy and regulatory interpretation. The position also conducts engineering feasibility assessments, cost-benefit evaluations, and risk analyses to help protect SHA from potential liabilities. The Assistant Division Chief contributes to policy development, establishes performance measures, completes special assignments, and resolves conflicts within SHA and with external agencies. As a subject-matter expert in project development, the incumbent provides leadership in noise and air quality analysis and promotes decisions that balance environmental impacts with engineering standards and project needs. Personnel and resource responsibilities include participating in hiring decisions, recommending promotions and reassignments, identifying training needs, managing staffing resources, and coordinating personnel, time, and materials with the Division Chief. The position oversees consultant contracts, including a Maryland Environmental Services MOU, manages interagency agreements with federal offices, and supervises the review and processing of federal agency invoices. The incumbent must hold a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in Maryland.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in natural sciences, earth science, physical science, environmental science, chemistry, physics, biology, agronomy, horticulture or related sciences, forestry, geography, environmental planning, civil engineering, sociology, economics, planning, anthropology, architectural history, or related fields such as ecology, landscape architecture, or environmental engineering.
Nine years of experience in environmental analysis, including development of plans, specifications, estimates, and design; or nine years of experience in environmental management, including development, implementation, and monitoring of environmental compliance plans for air quality, storm water management, wastewater treatment, hazardous waste management, pollution prevention, solid waste management, or multi-media operations. For the environmental management path, two years must include supervising employees, consultants, or contractors in an environmental area.
Two years of experience in principles, practices, procedures, and methodology related to noise and acoustical analysis for transportation projects, including associated federal laws and regulations.
Valid motor vehicle operator’s license in the state of Maryland.
Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, regulations, and guidelines, and guide others in their use.
Ability to supervise and motivate staff, communicate effectively with supervisors, and plan, direct, coordinate, assign, and evaluate work across multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain effective working relationships, including strong conflict-resolution skills.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports.
Ability to interpret maps, plans, and technical specifications.
Ability to coordinate work with contractors and technical personnel.
Strong oral and written communication skills for interacting with agencies, the public, and SHA stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in Windows 11, Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and Adobe tools.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to build effective working relationships and collaborate across teams.
Skill in negotiation and conflict resolution, including in challenging settings.
Ability to lead teams and work independently under deadline pressure.
Ability to advise on and resolve transportation-related environmental engineering issues.
Ability to support project managers in minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts.
Skill in interpreting maps, plans, and technical specifications.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local environmental laws, regulations, and guidance.
Knowledge of research methods and statistical data analysis.
Knowledge of consultant contract management and procurement.
At least two years of supervisory experience in an environmental field.
Knowledge of noise and air quality analysis methods and governing regulations.
Ability to provide leadership and technical expertise in assigned environmental disciplines.
Knowledge of environmental resource management, preservation, and enhancement.
Understanding of acoustics fundamentals and application of complex acoustical models.
Ability to manage multiple technical projects and prioritize concurrent tasks.
Ability to prepare and deliver environmental-related presentations to staff and agencies.
Ability to review and critique technical materials, engineering measures, and proposed mitigation.
A master’s degree in a qualifying discipline may substitute for one year of required non-supervisory experience.
A doctorate in a qualifying discipline may substitute for two years of required non-supervisory experience.
U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as defined under the minimum qualifications may substitute for required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

Oversee the Technical Analysis Section and lead teams specializing in highway noise, natural resources, and air quality.
Manage the Noise Analysis Team’s workload, including highway noise studies, technical reports, and communications with the public and elected officials.
Direct the planning, prioritization, and execution of community noise impact studies and specialized research projects in compliance with 23 CFR 772.
Serve as SHA’s primary liaison to the Federal Highway Administration on noise policy and regulatory interpretation.
Conduct engineering feasibility assessments, cost-benefit evaluations, and risk analyses to help safeguard SHA from potential liabilities.
Ensure Section operations and technical work comply with EPLD, OPPE, and SHA policies and guidance, as well as state and federal environmental laws.
Collaborate with FHWA and regulatory partners to maintain program alignment in noise, natural resources, and air quality.
Contribute to policy development, establish performance measures, complete special assignments, and resolve conflicts within SHA and with external agencies.
Provide subject-matter expertise and leadership in noise and air quality analysis within the project development process.
Participate in hiring decisions; recommend promotions and reassignments; identify training needs; and manage staffing resources.
Coordinate allocation of personnel, time, and materials with the Division Chief.
Oversee consultant contracts, including a Maryland Environmental Services MOU, and manage interagency agreements with federal offices.
Supervise the review and processing of federal agency invoices.
Support project managers in minimizing and mitigating environmental impacts.
Prepare and deliver environmental-related presentations and clear, comprehensive reports.
Plan, direct, coordinate, assign, and evaluate work across multidisciplinary teams and coordinate work with contractors and technical personnel.