What are the responsibilities and job description for the Special Assistant to the Director (Environmental Research and Environmental Justice) position at Prince George's County, MD Government?
Nature and Variety of Work
Come join our team!
Prince George’s County Government provides a dynamic and inclusive workplace where employees can thrive, learn, and grow across its 30 diverse agencies, all dedicated to serving the County's residents with essential resources and services. Nestled just minutes away from Washington, DC, Prince George's County combines urban vibrancy with serene surroundings, offering an ideal setting to live, work, and enjoy life.
Applicant Limit Notice: Please be advised that applications for this position will be capped at a maximum of 100 submissions. Once this threshold has been reached, the posting will close, and no further applications will be accepted. We encourage interested candidates to apply promptly to ensure consideration.
The Prince George’s County Department of The Environment is currently seeking qualified applicants to fill a Special Assistant to The Director (Environmental Research and Environmental), (Administrative Assistant IV) grade G27 position, in the Director's Office.
About the Position
This is the highest level of professional, administrative and supervisory staff work with primary responsibility for handling the most complex administrative assignments. This administrative position is responsible for DoE’s environmental research, environmental justice guidance and other related duties as assigned by the Director. The Special Assistant to the Director provides high-level analytical, research, and strategic support to the Director of the Department of the Environment. The position leads and coordinates environmental research initiatives, departmentwide data analysis, and statistical evaluation of programs, policies, and performance outcomes. This position also coordinates, documents, and advocates for DoE’s efforts to advance equitable environmental protection so that no community bears disproportionate environmental harm. This position integrates environmental justice (EJ) principles into policy development, permitting, enforcement, and community engagement initiatives across Prince George’s County. This role is critical in informing executive decision-making, advancing environmental priorities, and ensuring data-driven management across all divisions within the Department. Work is performed with latitude for independent judgment under the supervision of the Director of the Department of the Environment. This position is designated “essential” in accordance with DoE Instruction 110.4.
About the Agency
The Department of the Environment works for a healthy, beautiful and sustainable County through programs that provide clean water, flood control, recycling and waste management, litter prevention, sustainable animal management and pet adoption in partnership with residents and other stakeholders. Some of our core services include providing clean water services (Stormwater Management Division); flooding prevention for buildings and structures (Sustainability Division and Stormwater Management Division); collecting, processing and diverting waste from the County-operated landfill, commercial facilities and householders (Resource Recovery Division); providing sustainability services to reduce greenhouse gas and emission (Sustainability Division); and facilitating pet adoptions, managing an animal holding facility, issuing pet licenses, investigating cruelty complaints and conducting humane outreach and education events (Animal Services Division).
Examples of Work
Environmental Research and Analysis
- Conducts comprehensive environmental research, including qualitative and quantitative studies, in support of departmental programs such as renewable energy adoption, energy efficiency, climate mitigation, waste management, animal services, sustainability, flood control, stormwater management, and clean water initiatives.
- Advises the Director on emerging environmental issues, research findings, and policy implications.
- Serves as the primary point of contact for departmental data reporting, statistical requests, and cross-division analytical needs on environmental justice
issues.
- Serves as a liaison between DoE leadership, governmental entities and community-based organizations.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University in Liberal Arts, one of the Social Sciences, or Public or Business Administration; or field closely related to assignment/functional area.
- Three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in government or business.
- At least one (1) year of experience involved in supervision of high-level administrative staff.
An equivalent combination of education, experience and training which provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered.
Please note there is no equivalency for the required supervisory experience.
Please note there is no equivalency for the required supervisory experience.
Preferred Qualifications
- Extensive knowledge of the principles and methods of public administration and local government.
- Extensive knowledge of environmental research and analysis practices, data collection and analysis best management practices and environmental regulations, policy and law.
EACH APPLICATION MUST INCLUDE INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY DEMONSTRATES THE ABOVE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS POSITION.
Additional Information
Salary Range Transparency: The salary range listed in this announcement reflects the offer range for this position. Offers made within this range are based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.
Tentative Interview Dates: April 6, 2026. Please note that interview dates are subject to change and only selected candidates will receive confirmation and additional details.
Job Location: 1801 McCormick Dr, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774
Conditions of Employment: Upon selection, the candidate must (where applicable):
- Meet all training and performance standards and demonstrate proficiency as required by the agency.
- Wear and use agency protective apparel and equipment in the performance of their assigned duties.
- Successfully pass preemployment checks which may include reference checks, background investigations, and drug screenings.
- Be willing and able to serve as an essential employee. Essential employees are expected to report during standard or non-standard hours as operations necessitate, or during emergencies. Essential employees are expected to report or remain at work when other County employees are granted Administrative Leave.
ONLY ONLINE APPLICATIONS WILL BE ACCEPTED
Eligibility to Work: Under the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, an employer is required to hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Applicants who are selected for employment will be required to provide and verify authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S., only after an offer has been accepted and the Form I-9 is completed. For information on E-Verify, or if you believe the County has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or visit their website at dhs.gov/E-Verify.
INTERNAL APPLICANTS: If you are a current Prince George's County Government employee and seeking a promotion, in accordance with Section 16-200 of the Personnel Law, you have the right to appeal a rejection rating within five (5) working days of receiving a rejection notice. Union employees should refer to their respective collective bargaining agreement and/or union representative for their grievance procedure.
Prince George's County Government is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace
General Plan Information:
The Prince George’s County benefits plan year is from January 1 to December 31.
A spouse (to include a same sex spouse) can be added to the health benefit plans. A marriage certificate and social security number is required to add a spouse.
Children under the age of 26 are eligible for coverage under the health benefit plans. This includes stepchildren and children of the same-sex spouse. A birth certificate(s) and social security number(s) is required to add a child(ren). If you are only adding the stepchildren or child(ren) of a same-sex spouse, you will need to submit a marriage certificate. You will also need to submit the birth certificate of the child(ren) and your spouse must be listed as a parent.
The premiums for health benefits are deducted on a pre-tax basis with the exception of Long-Term Disability, Extra Life Insurance and Voluntary Benefits (Short-Term Disability, Whole Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident Insurance, Cancer Indemnity, Hospital Indemnity Protection, Accident Indemnity Plan, Supplemental Dental and Group Legal Services).
New employees must enroll in the County’s health benefit plans within thirty (30) days of the hire date.
The effective date of the health benefits coverage is the beginning of the month following a waiting period of forty-five (45) days from the date of hire.
After enrolling in the County’s benefit plans, employees may only make changes to the plans either during the open enrollment period, which occurs annually (usually each October), and/or during the year, due to a family status change (i.e., marriage, births, divorce and adoption).
Employee Benefits
Prince George’s County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
For additional details, please visit: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/human-resources-management/employees/benefits
Prince George’s County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
- Medical/Prescription/Dental/Vision Insurance Coverage (part time employees are eligible for medical insurance if they work 15 hours, per week)
- Group Term Life Insurance
- Long & Short-Term Disability
- Flexible Spending Accounts
- Dependent Care Assistance Program
- Health Care Flexible Spending Account
- Paid Leave (Annual, Personal, & Sick)
- 13 Paid Holidays
- Retirement Benefits
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Employer Contribution Rate-11.71%
- Supplemental Pension Plan
- Employee Contribution Rate (Pre-Tax)-3.48%
- 457(b)
- 403(b)
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Assistance Program
- Voluntary Benefits
- Critical Illness
- Whole Life Insurance
- Accident Insurance
- Legal Services
For additional details, please visit: https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/departments-offices/human-resources-management/employees/benefits