Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director (Program)

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state’s cable television companies.  In the industries that are still wholly regulated, PURA balances the public’s right to safe, adequate and reliable utility service at reasonable rates with the provider’s right to a reasonable return on its investment. PURA also keeps watch over competitive utility services to promote equity among the competitors while customers reap the price and quality benefits of competition and are protected from unfair business practices.

PURA currently has an opening on its management team for an Office Director for its Office of Business & Consumer Affairs at our headquarters located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.  The Office of Business & Consumer Affairs has responsibility over three important areas of PURA’s regulatory responsibilities: 

(1) the Consumer Affairs Unit, which applies consumer protection statutes and regulations to field, investigate, and resolve utility and competitive supplier customer questions and complaints; and provides consumers with information needed to make informed choices in competitive utility markets and regarding how to obtain energy assistance;

(2) the Special Enforcement Unit, which manages PURA’s oversight of the competitive electric supplier market, including maintenance of the rate board website for supplier price offers; leading formal docketed proceedings on enforcement actions and supplier marketing standards; leading working groups to gather input from stakeholders and develop innovative solutions to issues affecting market participants; and ensuring customers are protected from fraudulent, abusive and deceptive practices;

(3) a newly formed Licensing Unit, which manages—and ensures efficient, effective processing of—certain applications involving businesses engaged in activities regulated by PURA, such as certifications of renewable facilities. The Office Director position reports to the Chair of PURA, and provides counsel and assistance to all three PURA Commissioners on the regulatory activities within the responsibility of the Office of Business & Consumer Affairs. 

The Office Director position reports to the Chair of PURA, and provides counsel and assistance to all three PURA Commissioners on the regulatory activities within the responsibility of the Office of Business & Consumer Affairs.   

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday.

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

Qualified current State employees being considered for further steps in the hiring process will be required to submit their last two performance appraisals and three (3) references with contact information.  Qualified non-state employees being considered for further steps in the hiring process will be required to submit three (3) references with contact information.  

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

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.

This specific position oversees programs of outreach to customers and businesses; manages and provides direction to unit staff on research, analysis and evaluation of regulatory, technical, economic, and financial aspects of public policy issues relevant to PURA’s consumer protection and competitive market oversight responsibilities; initiates and coordinates regulatory programs, investigations, and studies; represents PURA at meetings; and serves as a liaison with regulated industries, other municipal, state, and federal agencies to coordinate and advise on policies and procedures. In addition, the Office Director position may be involved with communicating with the press, representatives of other agencies, legislators, and members of the public.

 

Considerable knowledge of relevant environmental, energy, and conservation 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.

 

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the area of environmental and/or energy regulatory or permitting programs or the operation of environmental and/or energy programs of large scale facilities.

1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline related to energy or environmental fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation 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 related to energy or environmental fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation or related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

·        Considerable knowledge of utility programs, laws, and regulations;

·        Considerable knowledge of utility regulation and regulatory principles, practices and issues;

·        Knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques;

·        Considerable interpersonal skills;

·        Considerable oral and written communication skills;

·        Knowledge of and ability to apply lean management techniques, streamline and improve the value of agency processes and procedures;

·        Ability to initiate and direct programs;

·        Analytical, negotiating, and organizational skills

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.