Civic Designer, Innovation Team (ADMINISTRATOR V)

Introduction

The Civic Designer is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of, the Governor. The Civic Designer will work as part of the Innovation Team to deploy design-based innovation approaches that support Maryland communities. This role will support research, synthesis and framework development, idea generation, prototyping, and testing for the Innovation Team.

To apply, please submit your resume and a link to your portfolio to innovation.team@maryland.gov by the deadline, Wednesday November 10, 2026, at 11:59PM ET. The subject line should read: YOUR NAME â Civic Designer, Innovation Team

GRADE

STD0020

LOCATION OF POSITION

Annapolis, MD and Baltimore City, MD

POSITION DUTIES

General Purpose: The Civic Designer will play a central role in deploying design-based innovation to support the Innovation Teamâs work to reduce child poverty and increase economic mobility in Maryland. The majority of this role focuses on design research, facilitation, and prototyping with communities and government partners. The Civic Designer will also bring strong visual and communication design skills to shape how the teamâs work is shared, creating reports, presentations, data visuals, templates, and stories that make insights clear and compelling. This role is ideal for someone with real craft in visual design who is equally comfortable in the field with community members and State colleagues.

Responsibilities:Â

• Design, plan, and deliver qualitative design researchÂ
• Guide Innovation Team colleagues and collaborators through research, synthesis, framework development, ideation, prototyping, and testingÂ
• Plan and run co-design workshops with stakeholdersÂ
• Engage community organizations working on economic mobility and child povertyÂ
• Turn research findings into compelling formats such as stories, videos, exhibits, and design artifactsÂ
• Apply UI/UX best practices to create seamless experiences for government staff and Maryland communitiesÂ
• Design and produce reports, slide decks, visuals, templates, and other work products for government leaders, community members, and partnersÂ
• Develop tools and methods that government can use to improve service and program deliveryÂ
• Support agile ways of working across the team and state governmentÂ
• Stay current on trends in civic design and public innovation, including the responsible use of AI in design research, synthesis, and prototyping. Share learnings and help the team test new approachesÂ
• Other duties and projects as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelorâs degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: At least two (2) years of professional experience in design, design research, user experience, service design, communications, community engagement, public policy, or a related field. This experience must include conducting user or community research AND producing visual or communication design work, as shown in a portfolio submitted with the application.Â

• Experience applying equity-centered design approaches to projects and workstreamsÂ
• Experience conducting user research and generating actionable next stepsÂ
• Experience working across government, nonprofit, and private sectorsÂ
• Strong visual and communication design skills, as evidenced by a portfolioÂ
• A customer service mindset and commitment to relationship-building within and beyond governmentÂ
• A track record of demonstrating and successfully applying the following characteristics:
• Excellent ability to simplify information and concepts, to formulate options and recommendations, and to communicate with all levels of management and workforce to achieve objectivesÂ
• Steady and resolute manner that inspires confidence and trustÂ
• States and maintains position backed by facts, while working through differences and alternative views in a respectful mannerÂ
• Effective listener who probes, surfaces, and shares new ideas and ways of doing thingsÂ
• High energy, highly resilient, and resourcefulÂ
• A âself-starterâ motivated by the achievement of the organization, the team, and themselves â in that orderÂ
• Organized, with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple priorities and work projects
• A team player, with the ability to organize, assign, and track completion of work by direct and indirect team members
• Flexible and adaptable, even while maintaining a keen focus on objectives
• Leads by example and a hands-on role modelÂ
• Highest personal standards of integrity

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency in Figma, FigJam, Adobe InDesign, or comparable toolsÂ
• Experience using AI tools responsibly in design research, synthesis, or prototyping

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The 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.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

To apply, please submit your resume and a link to your portfolio to innovation.team@maryland.gov by the deadline, Wednesday November 10, 2026, at 11:59PM ET. The subject line should read: YOUR NAME â Civic Designer, Innovation Team

The State of Maryland is committed to diversity among its staff, and recognizes that its continued success requires the highest commitment to obtaining and retaining a diverse staff that provides the best quality services to supporters and constituents. The State of Maryland is an equal opportunity employer and it is our policy to recruit, hire, train, promote and administer any and all personnel actions without regard to sex, race, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, economic status, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or expression, ethnic identity or disability, or any other legally protected basis. The State of Maryland is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities in the hiring process and on the job, as required by applicable law. The State of Maryland will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination and any such conduct is strictly prohibited.