STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director (Program)

Hybrid Work Schedule

Recruitment #220420-1753MP-001

Introduction



Are you an experienced leader looking to make an impact? 
If so, we may have the opportunity for you! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is seeking an Office Director to oversee our Office of Planning and Program Development. This position is located in our downtown Hartford office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historic Bushnell Park. 

About Us:

The CT DEEP is charged with developing policies and programs to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, conserve, improve and protect Connecticut's natural resources and environment, and provide equitable access to broadband and affordable, clean and reliable energy to the people and businesses of the state. 

The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut's economy and creating jobs - and to fostering a sustainable, equitable and prosperous economic future. 

Position Highlights: 

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, working Monday to Friday. A combination of telework/in-office presence is available. 

Note: there is a new salary range for this position, starting at $109,901 - $149,860. (Salary commensurate with education and/or experience) 

The Office Director of the Office of Planning and Program Development (OPPD) advises the Commissioner and supports and coordinates planning and program development efforts across DEEP's environment, energy, outdoor recreation and natural resource programs. OPPD supports DEEP's compliance with both state and federal statutory and regulatory permitting and enforcement requirements across DEEP's three branches - Energy, Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Quality. 

OPPD also works to increase the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP's regulatory processes to ensure that businesses can grow and thrive while meeting environmental standards and protecting our public health and natural resources. 

As part of the Planning, Legal, and Regulatory Affairs unit within the Commissioner's Office, OPPD coordinates and consults with the Office of Legal Counsel on statutory and regulatory matters. A core tenet of OPPD is to support the climate change and equity and environmental justice priorities and programs of the agency. OPPD assists with the integration, coordination and implementation of these priorities across the divisions and programs of the three branches of DEEP. 

What we can offer you: 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage; 
  • A generous retirement plan; 
  • Paid time off; 
  • A healthy work - life balance! 
Learn more about how you can make an impact with DEEP
             

Selection Plan

Application Process:

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut.

Selection Process:

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency. Current state employees will be required to submit their last two (2) service ratings. 

Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position. 

Contact Information:

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for the direction of the staff and programs of an office.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The OPPD Office Director is responsible for managing the OPPD program, including the following:

  • Strategic planning and coordinating policy initiatives across DEEP’s broad mission and programs to harmonize policies around climate resilience and mitigation, equity and environmental justice, commitment to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation.  For example, leading initiatives to harmonize development of renewable energy (solar, offshore wind) with best practices for equity and environmental protection, including through the CT Council on Environmental Standards and the STEPS for Solar Development process;
  • Supporting regulatory best practices across DEEP’s more than 125 different permitting and environmental review programs, including developing Departmental tools and handbooks to ensure consistent and effective approaches to environmental enforcement; supporting the adoption of new IT tools and best practices for permitting processes; and sponsoring LEAN and other process improvement initiatives; and tracking EQ Branch enforcement and permitting statistics and compliance rates;
  • Providing outreach and assistance to the public to help them navigate and seek assistance from the Department.  OPPD includes a Permit Assistance Concierge Service team, to facilitate communication between DEEP permitting staff, applicants, community members, and other interested parties on high-visibility, complex projects, and assist applicants through DEEP’s permit processes in a timely manner from pre-application, through Natural Diversity Database review, to final permit decisions. The permit assistance duties also include participating in multi-program pre-application permit meetings; coordinating pre-application permit meeting surveys; gathering data and reporting to the legislature; coordinating permit transfers; coordinating with DEEP’s equity and environmental justice program to ensure effective community engagement in permitting processes; and supporting and revising standardized permit applications and fact sheets for applicants.
  • Managing DEEP’s pollution prevention responsibilities associated with the federal Pollution Prevention Incentives grant (PPIS); 
  • Coordinating agency program development and environmental review responsibilities including but not limited to, National Environmental Policy Act Project (NEPA) review, CT Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), regulatory development and review, lake drawdown planning and coordination, CT Siting Council agency comment preparation, central program contact for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region I/DEEP Performance and Partnership Agreement grant commitments and EPA Region I/DEEP enforcement/compliance monitoring and coordination, process improvement opportunities;
  • Implementing and supporting other strategic planning initiatives for the Commissioner.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant environmental, energy, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, conservation, and/or environmental justice or equity programs, laws and regulations; considerable knowledge of environmental protection and energy principles, practices and issues; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; ability to initiate and direct programs; analytical, negotiating and organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the energy, environmental, broadband, and/or telecommunications field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline in energy, environmental, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, and/or environmental justice or equity fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation, public policy or administration, economics, or related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's Degree.
  2. A Master's Degree in a scientific or technical discipline in the energy or environmental, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, and/or environmental justice or equity fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation, public policy or administration, economics, or related field, or a Juris Doctor degree, may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:
  • Experience with project management methodologies; 
  • Experience communicating technical information to the regulated community, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the general public. 
  • Experience promoting and managing an equitable, diverse, and inclusive workplace; 
  • Experience managing personnel, including defining expectations, establishing measurable goals, developing future leaders, and leading teams through change; 
  • Experience collaborating and leading cross-functional teams; 
  • Experience developing and implementing process improvements to increase productivity and improve outcomes; 
  • Experience developing and implementing new approaches and programs to address environmental challenges and resolve conflicting stakeholder priorities. 

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.