ADMINISTRATOR V (Chief of Staff)

IntroductionThe Maryland Office of People's Counsel (OPC) seeks well-organized, enthusiastic applicants that thrive in a fast-paced policy and advocacy setting to join our mission-driven team as OPC’s Chief of Staff.This position is responsible for supporting OPC’s mission to advocate for the economic interests of the State's residential consumers of public utility services such as electricity and gas, considering the State’s climate and environmental policies. Specifically, this position will implement a multi-pronged approach to advocacy by serving as the agency’s principal liaison with the Maryland General Assembly, managing communications to a wide range of external stakeholders, and working on special projects, such as creating and overseeing the dissemination of public-facing OPC documents.This position will work with OPC leadership, and as part of a cross-functional team, to develop and advance agency goals and priorities.As a State agency, OPC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information.GRADE20LOCATION OF POSITION6 St. Paul Street, Suite 2102, Baltimore, Maryland 21202Main Purpose of JobThe Chief of Staff is responsible for supporting OPC’s mission to work on behalf of residential utility customers to advocate for utility performance at the lowest reasonable cost, consistent with State environmental and economic policies. Specifically, this position will implement a multi-pronged approach to advocacy by serving as the agency’s principal legislative liaison, assisting with the uniform development of OPC’s policy positions, managing its communications to a wide range of external stakeholders, and managing special projects in consultation with the People’s Counsel and OPC’s leadership team.This position works in close collaboration and partnership with the People’s Counsel, participating in meetings and managing relationships with elected officials, government agency partners, non-profit organizations, and other stakeholders to elevate and strengthen the effectiveness of OPC’s advocacy work. This position has responsibility to continuously manage the refinement and delivery of OPC’s policy positions and public education messages in consultation with the People’s Counsel, Deputy People’s Counsels, and the Director of Consumer Assistance.The position requires a working knowledge of State and Federal energy, utility and climate policy. The Chief of Staff must understand how utility consumer protection issues intersect with these policy arenas, as well as possess superb written and oral communication skills, strong critical thinking abilities (including the ability to identify and analyze important details), as well as the ability to comfortably exercise independent judgment.POSITION DUTIESLegislative liaison: Serve as OPC’s principal liaison with the Maryland General Assembly and, with the Executive Assistant, manage OPC’s year-round work and deliverables related to the Legislative Session. This includes coordination with the Governor’s Legislative Office (GLO); creation and management of departmental legislation; establishing and strengthening relationships with elected officials; and coordinating with partners on legislative efforts that support the interests of Maryland’s residential customers.Communications: Responsible for coordinating development and implementation of OPC communications strategy, including consumer education work led by the Director of Consumer Assistance. Assists with public outreach and talking points on OPC policy positions and work. Develops presentations, briefing memos, website content, and other written materials as appropriate for outreach efforts.Reviews internal and external content to ensure it reflects the People’s Counsel’s priorities and voice, is internally consistent, and echoes the mission and values of OPC.Responsible for an annual report highlighting OPC’s work, published in early January in preparation for the Legislative Session.MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSEducation: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.Experience: Six years of administrative staff or professional work.Notes:Candidates may substitute 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university for each year up to four years of the required experience.Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of experience in administrative staff or professional work for the required experience.Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree from an accredited college or university for five years of the required experience.Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work related to the administration of rules, regulations, policy, procedures and processes, or overseeing or coordinating unit operations or functioning as a staff assistant to a higher ranking commissioned officer on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONSPreference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application (including the supplemental questions) regarding your qualifications. The desired candidate should possess:A working knowledge of State and Federal energy, utility and climate policy, as well as Maryland’s legislative process, or experience that demonstrates an ability to understand and think critically about complex regulatory matters.Ability to organize and coordinate duties and responsibilities, meeting deadlines consistently in a fast-paced work environment.Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills.Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of employees within an organization, and to use tact, discretion and professional diplomacy in collaborating with others.Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to comfortably exercise independent judgment. Thoughtful listening skills and the ability to act as a respectful consensus builder in interacting with a large variety of stakeholders.Experience directing or implementing organizational communications strategy.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Google Suite and Adobe Pro, particularly with regard for graphic design and stylizing documents for publication.LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONSEmployees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.SELECTION PROCESSPlease make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.EXAMINATION PROCESSThe assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.BENEFITSSTATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITSFURTHER INSTRUCTIONSOnline applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

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