Job Description Summary Organization's Summary Statement: The School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation (MAPP) envisions a world where bold ideas and integrated disciplines converge to solve the grand challenges of our time. For more than 50 years, we have advanced research, education and practice at the intersections of design, planning, preservation and development. We are rooted in people-focused solutions, collaboration and service to the greater good. Looking forward, we will continue to lead with innovation and impact, shaping places that strengthen communities, enrich culture and inspire future generations. We prepare the next generation of architects, planners, preservationists, and developers to shape resilient, vibrant and just communities. By bringing these disciplines together under one roof, we mirror the collaboration of real-world practice and equip students to tackle the most pressing challenges facing our built environment—from climate change to social inequity, from cultural preservation to sustainable growth. Over 60% of our faculty are actively engaged in creative and professional practice while teaching in our programs. These faculty work in top design studios, development firms and agencies in the Baltimore-Washington area, bringing their expertise and talent into the classroom for the next generation of practitioners. Our research centers and institutes forward groundbreaking research within the built environment that advances dynamic, sustainable and just places. They include National Center for Smart Growth, Colvin Institute of Real Estate Development, and Environmental Finance Center. Our research labs forward cutting-edge approaches to shed light on critical issues and discoveries within Maryland communities and beyond. They include Stormwater Infrastructure Resilience and Justice (SIRJ) Lab, Archaeology and Historic Preservation Lab, and Bostwick House. The Program assistant will support and report to the Director of the Partnership for Action Learning in Sustainability. The Program Assistant will assist the Director with the development of PALS policies, procedures, and standardized forms for faculty and students, and other paperwork related to PALS courses, including faculty supply requests. The program assistant will schedule scoping meetings with PALS staff, faculty and PALS sponsors to identify project matches, and help to manage relationships between faculty, students, and sponsors throughout the school year. This will include ensuring that all PALS paperwork is completed and that all required meetings between faculty, students, and sponsors occur. They will also assist with planning the PALS Showcase and support the Director in developing new partnerships across the region. The responsibilities of this position include: - Assist the Director with the development of PALS policies, procedures, and standardized forms for faculty and students, and other paperwork related to PALS courses, including faculty supply requests. -Schedule scoping meetings with PALS staff, faculty and PALS sponsors to identify project matches, and help to manage relationships between faculty, students, and sponsors throughout the school year. This includes ensuring that all PALS paperwork is completed and that all required meetings between faculty, students, and sponsors occur. -Assist with planning the PALS Showcase and support the Director in developing new partnerships across the region. Physical Demands: Sedentary work performed in a normal office environment; exerts up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Ability to attend meetings . Spending long hours in front of a computer screen. Licenses/ Certifications: N/A Minimum
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in policy, planning, natural sciences, or related fields.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to periodically attend classes as well as on campus and off campus meetings during the day. Preferences:
- Master’s degree in policy, planning, natural sciences, or related fields.
- Outreach and community engagement experience.
- Knowledge and work experience in the District-Maryland-Virginia metropolitan region. -
Experience
with Canva, PowerPoint, Excel, and Adobe creative suite. -
Experience
with social media engagement.
- Candidates should be able to work in a diverse, high-paced environment and have strong administrative skills, writing and editing skills, proficient oral and interpersonal communications skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail. -1-3 years of work experience in a nonprofit, academic, or policy setting.
- Willingness to support administrative, logistical, outreach, communications, and research tasks on a small team. UMD will not sponsor the successful candidate for work authorization in the United States now or in the future. Additional Job Details This position is funded for approximately 1 year. Required Application Materials: 1. Cover Letter 2. Resume 3. List of 3 references Best Consideration Date: 8/24/2026 Posting Close Date: 8/24/2026 Open Until Filled: No. Financial Disclosure Required No For more information on Financial Disclosure, please visit Maryland's State Ethics Commission website. Department ARCH-Center for Smart Growth Research &
Education
Worker Sub-Type Faculty Regular Salary Range $49,072.90 - $65,000
Benefits
Summary For more information on Regular Faculty benefits, select this link. Background Checks Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify anyone from employment. Before any adverse decision, the finalist will have an opportunity to provide information to the University regarding disclosable background check information. The University reserves the right to rescind the offer of employment or otherwise decline or terminate employment if the information reported by the background check is deemed incompatible with the position, regardless of when the background check is completed. Employment Eligibility The successful candidate must complete employment eligibility verification (on Form I-9) by presenting documents that establish identity and work authorization within the timeframe required by federal immigration law, and where applicable, to demonstrate renewed employment authorization. Failure to complete employment eligibility verification or reverification within the timeframe set forth by law may result in suspension or termination of employment. EEO Statement The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy. Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online Search Firm Managed Recruitment There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Vacancies The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship university and one of the nation's preeminent public research universities. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and 388,000 alumni all dedicated to the pursuit of Fearless Ideas. Located just outside Washington, D.C., we discover and share new knowledge every day through our renowned research enterprise and programs in academics, the arts and athletics. And we are committed to social entrepreneurship as the nation’s first “Do Good” campus. EEO Statement The University of Maryland, College Park is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment. Please read the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity Statement of Policy. Title IX Non-Discrimination Notice Resources Learn how military skills translate to civilian opportunities with O*Net Online The University works hard to make its websites accessible to any and all users. If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at one of the below options: Email: jobs@umd.edu Phone: 301.405.7575 Maryland Relay: Dial 711 This contact information cannot be used to inquire about application status. There are some positions that are not advertised on this career site as the search is being managed by a Search Firm. Please visit the link below to see these available opportunities: Search Firm Managed Opportunities