Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director (Program)

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment- and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy.  

The Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance (MMCA) consists of the Office of Bureau Chief, the Waste Engineering and Enforcement Division, the Water Permitting and Enforcement Division and the Emergency Response and Spill Prevention Division.  These Divisions administer a wide variety of regulatory and preventative programs for proper and safe materials management in order to protect valuable ground- and surface water resources and to minimize waste.  These programs include regulation of solid and hazardous wastes, source reduction and recycling, industrial wastewater discharges, PCB management, underground storage tanks and pesticide management as well as emergency spill response and site assessment activities. 

DEEP is seeking to hire an Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director (Program) for the Bureau of Materials Management and Compliance Assurance. This position will provide bureau-wide planning, policy development, assist in the development of short and long range planning for bureau activities, identify and develop strategic initiatives, legislative and program policy direction and recommendations, and work on opportunities for process and operational improvements to streamline and enhance efficiencies for staff and the regulated community. 

This is a fulltime, forty (40) hours per week, Monday-Friday, position.

This unique position is an opportunity for a forward-thinking creative environmental professional to not only direct a group of experienced environmental professionals at both a strategic and tactical level, but to also play a key role assisting bureau programs in examining, rethinking, transforming, and creating policies and strategic direction for a 21st century materials management system.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application. Questions about the required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Anne Dana, anne.dana@ct.gov, (860)424-3354. 

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

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 position provides assistance to the bureau's three divisions and their respective programs developing strategic and policy direction and streamlining and improving process and programmatic operations.  This includes:

·        project management assistance and development support for the bureau, particularly the regulatory programs (i.e. permitting, enforcement, field compliance) for hazardous and solid waste, pesticides, emerging contaminants, industrial wastewater discharges, large subsurface and agricultural discharges, stormwater, underground storage tanks, PCBs and marine terminals, to create new/updated regulations, general permits or permits by rule as well as other innovative approaches and process and operational improvements needed to promote and fast track bureau program efficiencies and effectiveness; 

·        strategic policy planning, initiative development and benchmarking progress to achieve diversion goals and monitoring and updating the state’s Comprehensive Materials Management Strategy;  

·        assistance in developing operational plans for the bureau; 

·        planning, research and analytical support related to materials management policies and strategies including but not limited to waste capacity planning, waste characterization studies, infrastructure need assessments, data and market understanding;  

·        coordination/oversight support for solid waste infrastructure development; 

·        assistance in developing bureau goals, policies, strategies, legislation and rules relating to bureau programs, determining appropriate actions to implement policies and procedures and integrating such across the department; 

·        planning, research, coordination and policy development to address current and emerging issues/materials of concern;

·        representing the bureau at meetings, on committees, task forces and interagency workgroups. 

 

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.

Demonstrated ability to think strategically and formulate strategic recommendations/solutions to address objectives:    

Excellent problem solving skills;

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills;   

Experience collecting, analyzing and translating information and data into actionable insights for policy making and/or initiatives;   

Excellent written and verbal communications;   

Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills;   

Excellent presentation and facilitation skills to present ideas and achieve engagement and results;    

Demonstrated ability to manage complexity, synthesize information from multiple sources and streamline and simplify complex concepts; 

Exemplary team leadership;   

Experience working collaboratively and consulting effectively with all levels and across the department;  

Excellent abilities to organize people and processes and handle multiple priorities and meet deadlines; 

Considerable experience developing innovative approaches or process and operational improvements to address environmental problems and/or manage performance or productivity;

Experience drafting legislation and regulations.   

Experience with recycling/materials management issues is a plus.  

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.