STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Justice & Equity Director

Recruitment #211207-1753MP-001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction


Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is to protect the public health and welfare and to conserve, improve and protect the natural resources of the state of Connecticut. As trustee of the environment for present and future generations, the Department achieves its mission through its regulation, enforcement and licensing procedures which help control pollution; by managing the state’s parks and forests and other recreational amenities; and by developing and coordinating the state’s environmental plans and educational programs with other public and private agencies. 

The Department carries out its mission in a way that encourages the social and economic development of the state while preserving the natural environment and the life forms it supports. Fundamental to fair administration of its programs and services is the Department’s effort to reach all segments of the population.

As an Environmental Justice & Equity Director, you will have the opportunity to work under the leadership of the Chief of Planning, Legal and Regulatory Affairs, the Office Director for Environmental Justice and Equity will oversee Environmental Justice, Indian Affairs, and DEEP’s Diversity & Inclusion program.

This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, located in Hartford, CT.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE 

The Environmental Justice Program at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection incorporates principals of environmental justice into aspects of its program development, policy making, and regulatory activities, including but not limited to:
  • Assessing the effectives of CTDEEP efforts in the state's urban areas;
  • Assessing and responding to environmental problems in low-income and minority communities;
  • Developing strategies to increase public participation in the agency's decision-making process;
  • Identifying community health concerns in consultation with local and state departments of health;
  • Enhancing public participation in administrative proceedings;
  • Educating the public on CTDEEP regulations, policies and procedures; and
  • Decreasing language barriers.
INDIAN AFFAIRS

DEEP, with the advice of the Indian Affairs Council, cares for and manages reservation lands. Buildings that are not privately owned are under the DEEP's care and management. Residents can petition for repairs and improvements by DEEP, with the advice of the Indian Affairs Council. An Indian resident without sufficient means to support himself can petition the council for assistance to maintain a standard of living in his home that is compatible with his well-being. The council can provide other services it deems necessary to insure the well-being of residents on the reservations. DEEP cares for and controls tribal funds with the advice of the council. DEEP, with the advice of the council, manages other state interests including maintaining state documents, providing information to tribal members, and coordinating governmental grant programs.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is committed to becoming an employer-of-choice by maximizing organizational effectiveness through the diversity of our workforce, fostering an inclusive and welcoming organizational culture, and establishing an inclusive work environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and engaged.

In order to provide informed, authentic leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection strives to:
  • Understand diversity, inclusion, and equity as connected to our mission and critical to ensure the wellbeing of our staff and the communities we serve;
  • Acknowledge and dismantle any inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services, and continually update and report organization progress;
  • Lead with respect and acceptance of difference.
Duties Specific to this job include:
  • Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders;
  • Oversee environmental justice program, the climate justice working group of the Governor’s Council for Climate Change, the Environmental Advisory Council and the Indian Affairs program;
  • Provide environmental justice strategy development for the agency and coordinate with deputy commissioners to Develop branch and bureau specific environmental justice goals;
  • Assist supervisors in the development, review, and implementation of Environmental Justice related initiatives;
  • Administration of any environmental justice grant programs to ensure adherence to requirements, proper and timely reporting and other as appropriate;
  • Address questions or correspondence raised by staff and external stakeholders;
  • Coordinate and promote environmental justice efforts across state agencies;
  • Advance special projects related to environmental justice, community outreach and communications.
  • Coordinate the implementation of diversity and inclusion, and equal opportunity activities at DEEP, and evaluate the effectiveness of such programs and develop and institute transformative and permanent change;
  • Develop and direct the Strategic Plan for Workforce Diversity and Inclusion;
  • Direct and manage the implementation of the plan and new diversity and inclusion programs, procedures, Policies, training activities, and strategies designed to attain a diverse, culturally competent workforce;
  • Monitor DEEP’s implementation of the written diversity and inclusion plan on a continuing basis, including the need for revising or amending such plan and provide regular reports on progress to the Commissioner, incorporating recommendations for improving and strengthening such efforts;
  • Facilitate effective, coordinated strategies for diversity and inclusion in order to protect and promote diversity, inclusion and equal opportunity in DEEP’s workforce in accordance with the requirements of state and federal law;
  • Disseminate Agency goals and objectives, as well as advise on diversity and inclusion and equal opportunity matters, to DEEP leadership;
  • Provide executive-level advice and guidance to the Commissioner and Executive team members regarding diversity and inclusion in the DEEP workforce, prioritize diversity and inclusion in executive decision making;
  • Provide executive-level advice and guidance to Human Resources staff in the development and implementation of best equal opportunity practices for recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, and special assignments in order to attract and retain a diverse, culturally competent workforce.
More details can be found in the job specification.

Discover how you can make an impact

Selection Plan

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

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a).
Please ensure your application is complete prior to submission.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

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.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

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

Any questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to Erica McGuinness at erica.mcguinness@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

Responsible for management of a major program office; interprets and administers pertinent laws; meets with outside agencies to advise on departmental policies and procedures; serves as liaison with other agencies, municipal, state and federal governments; evaluates operations and projects assigned to office; makes recommendations for improvements; provides technical direction to unit staff; provides information to community; represents department at meetings; responds to inquires relating to assigned programs; may advise senior level staff on status of permits, process management, projects, legislation and policy and regulations pertaining to assigned areas of responsibility; directs staff and operations of office; determines priorities and coordinates, plans and manages activities; formulates office goals and objectives and ensures implementation of same; reviews and evaluates effectiveness of established or proposed policies and/or programs assessing options and developing recommendations for improvement; conducts performance evaluations; prepares reports and correspondence; recommends policy; drafts policy statements and regulations; prepares or assists in development of office budget; performs related duties as required.

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

  • Five or more years of experience leading environmental justice programs and initiatives.
  • Experience in environmental protection or public health related coursework.
  • Experience in Environmental Justice (EJ) principles and history, through training and education or lived experience.
  • Experience working with community organizations in Connecticut that focus on addressing environmental justice, disparities in health outcomes, inequities in living conditions, and/or lack of political power for communities of color, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Americans, immigrants, other People of Color (“BIPOC”), low-income communities, people with disabilities, and other historically disadvantaged people.
  • Experience working with state, local, and regional community organizations.
  • Excellent skills in persuasion, negotiation and influence, including the ability to effectively navigate in a complex political environment.
  • Experience both verbal and written communications to audiences of varying levels within an organization in groups, individuals as well as community settings.

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.





E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps