Planning Specialist II - Public Works, Environmental Services
Howard County:
Conveniently located in the heart of central Maryland between Baltimore and Washington, Howard County offers the charm of a historic past mixed with excitement of a cosmopolitan community.
Howard County Government:
Howard County Government is a leader in innovation, sustainability, and consistently ranked as one of the best places to live and work in the country. In 2025, Howard County Government received a record-breaking 83 Achievement Awards from the National Association of Counties (NACo) – the highest number of annual NACo awards achieved in the history of the State of Maryland, and the highest number of awards out of any county in the State of Maryland which received a collective 136 awards. NACo is the leading organization representing county-level government operations. These awards recognize innovative and transformative programs that provide new services for county residents, improve existing programs, upgrade working conditions, and enhance citizen participation and public policymaking.
What are we looking for?
We are looking for outstanding individuals to join our team and contribute to excellence in Howard County operations.
What you'll like most about working at Howard County Government:
- We are committed to workplace excellence in every area of County government.
- We have a highly talented, diverse, and inclusive workplace. Your input will not only be heard, but it will be encouraged!
- We offer competitive compensation and great benefits including medical, retirement, and wellness programs.
- As a member of the Howard County Government team, you'll be helping drive our culture and directly impact what makes us an amazing place to work.
POSITION SUMMARY:
This is professional level work in the coordination and management of one or more components of the County's solid waste recycling program. Work includes planning and implementing recycling activities and preparing supporting documents such as performance specifications, cost/revenue analysis and operating procedures.
STARTING SALARY HIRING RANGE:
$33.61 - $37.88
$69,913 - $78,784
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Performs professional level planning and zoning work, which may include supervisory responsibility, under general supervision from an administrative or technical superior. Work includes coordinating the plan review process; planning and implementing recycling activities; collecting, organizing, analyzing, and evaluating data required in the development and review of comprehensive plans and regulation.
*This is a Classified position, meaning that it is a part of the Howard County Classified Services upon completion of a probationary period of at least six (6) months.*
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Recycling Program Operations:
- Prepares and analyzes data for required compliance documents such as annual reports to regulatory agencies and other recycling program status reports, memos, and data analysis. Maintains databases used to prepare these documents and to track recycling program performance (tonnage tracking, program participation, etc.).
- Researches, evaluates and recommends potential new material to be added to the County's recycling program. Assists with implementation of collection, marketing and other related efforts for improved materials. Related activities include assistance with contract development and logistics management.
- Develops and recommends elements of public education and promotion programs related to the Recycling Program including development of promotional/educational materials for public distribution and publication. As directed, works with the Public Information Office to develop materials. Implements the commercial recycling and environmental outreach programs.
- Manages recycling webpages and develops content for monthly e-newsletters and social media blasts.
- Conducts field surveys and compiles resulting data needed to determine the effectiveness of implemented recycling and environmental outreach activities (participation rates, etc.)
- Coordinates with community partners to increase residential recycling and composting participation.
- Manages operation of specific components of field based recycling efforts including the multi-family recyclables collection program, government offices recycling program, and Christmas tree recycling program.
- Assists with development, revision and update of bid specifications for contract recycling services (re: materials processing, collections) and provides staff support in the bidding process and overseeing services startup.
- Assist with preparation of text and data for use in preparing comprehensive long term planning documents.
- Prepares and provides financial data for use in operating budget preparation, program operations and cost analysis, and expenditure control.
- Provides support for compliance programs related to recycling and environmental laws.
- Develops and recommends procedural and operational changes to increase efficiency.
This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE
Bachelors Degree and two (2) years related experience or equivalent of education and experience.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES AND REGISTRATIONS:
Valid Class C driver's license.
PREFERRED EDUCATION, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
Bachelor's degree in environmental science, ecology, engineering, planning or a related field and experience in waste management, recycling, resource recovery or other recycling related activities.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, and sit. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl and taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
LANGUAGE SKILLS, MATHEMATICAL SKILLS, AND REASONING ABILITY:
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, , regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, and ratios.
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
TO APPLY: You must complete an employment application online to be considered for this recruitment. Resumes cannot be substituted for completion of the job application work history. No paper applications will be accepted.
Selected candidates may be subject to drug screening, background screening, and reference checks.
At time of application, please submit a copy of any college degree, coursework, licenses, or certifications that you have referenced on your application. Applicants who have education obtained outside of the U.S. may need to provide proof of the equivalent U.S. education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service, such as the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (http://www.naces.org) or World Education Services: International Credential Evaluation (https://www.wes.org/).
Howard County Government is not sponsoring employees in application of the H-1B Visa or providing an extension of an existing H-1B Visa. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
Howard County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we are committed to a workplace that values diversity, equity, and inclusion. The County prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, ancestry, creed, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, military service, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. Applicants requiring accommodations during the hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources directly at HiringPreference@howardcountymd.gov. Requests for accommodations should not be attached to the application.