The primary purpose of this position is to develop, direct and implement programs and partnerships that support the co-creation of state and local coastal resilience strategies and solutions for the Department of Natural Resources. Functions include (1) direct and develop programs, projects, and natural resource planners’ work as a Section lead to meet Department and State objectives for local government service delivery related to coastal and climate resilience; (2) serve on inter-agency leadership teams and direct and lead multi-partner collaboration efforts to understand climate impacts and support implementation of adaptation solutions; and, (3) define, develop, and deliver scientific data and tools based on local resilience needs that enhance applied science decision making. 

This position leads, directs and develops local coastal and climate resilience and adaptation strategies through programs that include the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZM or CZMA) Sections 306/309; and the Maryland Coastal Training Program. The Climate Resilience Program Lead is the lead planner for legislatively-mandated Nuisance Flood Plans and directs work and a team that advance the implementation of CoastSmart Council siting and design requirements and the state Adaptation and Resiliency Work Group resilience strategies. 

The Climate Resilience Program Lead directs and oversees programs, initiatives and staff to provide technical and financial assistance to state and local partners to build capacity to implement resilience goals. This position distributes federal and other funds to advance adaptation solutions; and, deliver science-based data and technical information to enhance community resilience to flooding, shoreline erosion, sea level change, and other climate impacts. This work includes leveraging critical federal-state-local partnerships; working to ascertain that Bay and ocean waters meet living resource and human needs; enhancing the protection and management of the state’s natural resources; and developing and applying tools and data needed to support climate resilience.