Environmental Analyst 2 (35 Hour)

The State of Connecticut, Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is the state agency that monitors environmental progress and makes recommendations for correcting deficiencies in state laws and programs. The CEQ is independent of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), except for its administrative functions. It is composed of nine experts who are appointed by the Governor and the Legislature. Its two staff are an executive director and an environmental analyst.  

The Council is charged, by statute, to produce the State’s annual report on the environment, which is submitted to the Governor. That report, Environmental Quality In Connecticut, includes (1) the status of the state’s environment (2) current and foreseeable trends (3) the adequacy of available natural resources to fulfill its human and economic requirements (4) the effect on the environment, conservation and natural resources of the programs of government and of private organizations (5) recommendations for remedying the deficiencies of existing programs and activities, together with recommendations for legislation and (6) the progress made towards achievement of the State’s  environmental goals and objectives.

Additionally, The Council sends notice of proposed state actions that might require an Environmental Impact Evaluation to all towns and interested individuals. Those notices appear in the Council's Environmental Monitor, which also includes notice of proposed State land transfers.   

The Council reviews all Environmental Impact Evaluations that state agencies develop for major projects, and it reviews all applications or petitions for telecommunications towers and photovoltaic installations that require the approval of the Connecticut Siting Council. The Council is authorized to receive and investigate citizens' complaints regarding possible environmental violations. These investigations have often became the topic of special reports issued by the Council. 

The CEQ has a current opportunity for an Environmental Analyst 2 to be located in Hartford, CT, at the offices of DEEP on Elm Street across from historic Bushnell Park.

This is a 35 hour per week position (Mon-Fri).  

Applicants must include a resume within the “Resume Tab” of their application.   

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov or (860) 424-3006.

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

Applicants invited to interview may be required to submit additional documentation, which supports their qualification(s) for this position.  Current State employees selected for interview must provide most recent two (2) years of performance evaluations.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the technical review and analysis of environmental program data and issues within the environmental field, developing recommendations on courses of action and assisting with the implementation of policy and program decisions.

In other state agencies this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the technical review and analysis of environmental program data and issues, developing recommendations for courses of action and assisting with the implementation of policy and program decisions.

Assists in development of a departmental, statewide or local environment and/or emergency response plans and programs; researches, collects and analyzes resources, data and educational materials; reviews and analyzes proposed projects for consistency with policies and statutes and assesses environmental impact; conducts site investigations; prepares environmental impact statements and recommends corrective actions and alternatives; analyzes existing state policies, statutes, plans and regulatory programs and reviews pending legislation for environmental impact; coordinates database maintenance and disseminates information; assists in drafting new regulations, statutes, guidelines and other written materials; assists in formulating policy options; provides technical consultation to local, regional, state, federal officials and the public; coordinates federal grant-in-aid programs and prepares related paperwork; recommends enforcement actions and prepares reports; reviews and makes recommendations on environmental permit requests; may prepare publications and guidelines on environmental protection, natural resources education and economic development issues; may develop and implement environmental and leisure service education programs; may testify at public hearings; may prepare enforcement actions; may serve as a legislative liaison; may serve as department representative on various regulatory and advisory boards and committees; performs related duties as required.

Specific responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to:  

·        Research, draft and design an annual report and special reports to the governor, legislature and public on the status of Connecticut’s environment. 

·        Explain environmental trends and develop new environmental indicators as appropriate to meet the Council’s legislatively mandated charge to annually assess the condition of Connecticut's environment, report its findings to the Governor, and recommend actions to improve state environment.

·        Gather, analyze and interpret environmental data, including the 33 measures of the state’s environmental health, which appear in the Council’s Annual Report. 

·        Assist the Executive Director in tracking legislation and analyzing proposed legislation for consistency with recommendations made by the Council. 

·        Attend committee hearings and meetings. 

·        Prepare fact sheets and answer questions posed by legislators. 

·        Coordinate media relations including drafting news releases and media advisories. 

·        Assist in arrangement of press events. 

·        Investigate complaints made by citizens by inquiring of appropriate agencies regarding the facts of the complaint and its constituent issues, and suggest a resolution, including possible changes to laws or regulations.

·        Review environmental impact evaluations for consistency with the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act. 

·        Represent the Council at meetings, hearings and other events. 

·        Prepare miscellaneous letters and reports on environmental issues and topics. 

·        Assist in the design and management of the agency’s website and social media. 

·        Assist in management of the agency’s office.

Knowledge of principles and practices in fields relative to environmental protection; knowledge of principles and practices of environmental and policy analysis; knowledge of local, state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and policies pertaining to environmental protection; knowledge of environmental program planning principles and practices; knowledge of statistics; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; research and organizational skills; ability to understand and interpret legislation and technical data; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of experience involving technical analysis and interpretation of environmental program data or planning and implementing environmental programs.

1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline related to the environmental field including but not limited to the biological, earth, or physical sciences; environmental planning; environmental law; economics; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; natural sciences; or natural resources may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling 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 related to the environmental field including but not limited to the biological, earth, or physical sciences; environmental planning; environmental law; economics; leisure services; geographic information systems; geography with a concentration in geographic information systems; natural sciences; or natural resources may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.

Note: Education may only be substituted for a total of five (5) years.

3. For State Employees one (1) year of experience as a Environmental Analyst 1 may be substituted for the General Experience.

A degree in a scientific or technical discipline related to environmental planning, environmental law or environmental science.

Experience in critically analyzing technical data on a broad range of environmental topics and government programs. 

Very good experience in the use of MS Word, Excel, Power Point and graphs and charts tools, including a basic familiarity with HTML code and Google Charts

Very good experience with quantitative analysis, including finding and plotting statistical significance using Excel.

Experience in writing and preparing reports for publication, on-line and in print and use of social media for professional communications.

Very good written and verbal communication skills.

Experience working independently as well as in a team environment.

Experience working effectively with boards, committees, or councils.

Excellent organizational and some project management skills.

Familiarity with basic Connecticut environmental and conservation laws that protect wetlands, farmland, open space and water quality.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to some danger of injury or physical harm from on-site environments and a moderate degree of discomfort from exposure to year round weather conditions.

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.