Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau Chief

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

At DEEP's Bureau of Natural Resources (BNR), our mission is to conserve and enhance Connecticut’s fish, wildlife and forest resources and to enhance opportunities for public use and appreciation.  With this goal in mind, BNR is currently looking for a Bureau Chief at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historic Bushnell Park.  The Bureau of Natural Resources oversees the Divisions of Inland and Marine Fisheries, Wildlife, and Forestry. The Bureau Chief is also a member of DEEP’s senior leadership team.

The Bureau’s scientists, technicians and professional staff conduct scientific investigations and assessments to manage the state’s natural resources.  They apply fisheries, wildlife and forestry management principles to ensure the wise and sustainable use of Connecticut’s natural resources for this and future generations.

This position affords a dedicated and experienced environmental manager, committed to public service and natural resource conservation, an exciting opportunity. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced workplace with a talented and committed group of professionals, making a real difference in the conservation and sustainable use of Connecticut’s natural resources. 

This is a fulltime, forty (40) hours per week, Monday-Friday, position.  Some night and weekend work and travel is expected.

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

Questions about this position or required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  Teresa Munson,teresa.munson@ct.gov, (860)424-3187.

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for planning, organizing, directing and controlling bureau programs and staff.

Directs bureau programs and staff activities and manages all related functions; develops comprehensive long and short range plans and strategies which support agency mission and goals; assists, participates and makes recommendations in review and formation of agency policy, program priorities, funding, legislation and regulations; implements agency policy within assigned bureau; controls fiscal operations within a bureau by determining priorities for expenditure of financial and related resources; develops bureau programs, strategies and policies consistent with agency policy; responds to inquiries from the public, Governor's office, General Assembly, Congress and federal, state and local officials concerning environmental issues and programs; directs the development of position recommendations on major legislative and regulatory proposals; confers and negotiates agreements and strategies with federal and private agencies on environmental issues and programs; may solicit, negotiate, administer and manage funds to support and/or develop programs or projects; maintains statewide responsibility for all bureau programs and activities and represents agency and state in related activities as required; performs related duties as required.

Specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

·        Day to day management responsibility for the Bureau of Natural Resources, including directing a Bureau of approximately 100 full time staff, program planning and prioritizing bureau activities;

·        Establish program goals and objectives to conserve and enhance Connecticut’s fish, wildlife and forest resources and to enhance opportunities for public use and appreciation with an emphasis on reducing risk to human health and the environment;

·        Respond to inquiries from the public, Governor’s office, General Assembly and federal, state and local officials concerning natural resource programs and issues;

·        Develop recommendations and participate in the formation of agency policy, program priorities, funding initiatives, legislation and regulations;

·        Oversee fiscal operations within the Bureau by ensuring compliance with state and federal funding laws and policies; determine priorities for the expenditure of state and federal funds;

·        Solicit, negotiate, administer and manage funds to support and/or develop programs or projects;

·        Oversee the development of strategic plans for achieving goals and objectives utilizing innovative approaches as appropriate; ensure implementation of plans to achieve established goals and objectives;

·        Balance competing priorities to efficiently and effectively use available resources to meet goals and objectives;

·        Build and provide the mentoring necessary to develop and expand staff capacity at all levels, with a focus on succession planning and ensuring a diverse workforce;

·        Ensure that the activities and objectives of the Bureau are integrated into Department actions and clearly communicated to all stakeholders;

·        Coordinate with partners as appropriate, including local governments, other state agencies, the federal government (DOI/USFWS, Commerce/NOAA, USDA Forest Service, EPA),  other states, non-governmental organizations , advisory councils and other constituent groups;

·        Represent Connecticut’s natural resource interests at the local, state, regional and national level.

 

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of energy integration and/or environmental protection principles, techniques, practices and issues; considerable ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable analytical skills; considerable ability to organize and direct complex operating units and associated functions; considerable administrative ability; considerable ability to formulate and interpret agency policy, legislation and regulations.

Twelve (12) years of professional experience in natural resource management, public outdoor recreation, pollution prevention, reduction and management, environmental or energy conservation, environmental or energy regulatory programs, integration of energy and environmental policies and programs, energy research or policy development, strategic operational environmental or energy planning or other related environmental protection or energy field.

Three (3) years of the General Experience must have been in a managerial capacity.
Notes:
1 Managerial capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies and developing and monitoring the budget.
2 For State employees, the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Energy and Environmental Protection Division Director, Energy and Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director, Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director or other comparable managerial title responsible for the management of staff performing energy and/or environmental protection work.

1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline related to the energy or 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; natural resources, renewable energy, energy conservation or related field 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 energy or environmental field as listed above 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; natural resources, renewable energy, energy conservation or related area may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.
3. A law degree with a concentration in energy, natural resources or environmental protection law or a doctorate degree in a field related to renewable energy, energy conservation or environmental protection may be substituted for six (6) years of the General Experience.
*Note: Education may only be substituted for a total of six (6) years.

A.     At least twelve years of progressively responsible Natural Resources Management experience with at least 6 years in a leadership position, managing an organization or substantive organizational unit.

B.     Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with natural resource management principles, practices, and programs pertaining to fisheries (inland and marine), forestry, and wildlife;

C.     Demonstrated leadership and experience leading a highly skilled scientific, technical and professional workforce;

D.     Outstanding ability to motivate and lead staff;

E.     Expertise in critical thinking, managing productivity, defining expectations and establishing measurable goals, coordinating programs and making sound decisions;

F.     Strong management skills and experience, including but not limited to: budget execution, managing federal funds, federal grants,  policy development, strategic planning, and project management; planning and implementing capital budget projects;

G.    Considerable experience collaborating with local governments, other state agencies, the federal government (DOI/USFWS, Commerce/NOAA, USDA Forest Service, EPA),  other states, non-governmental organizations , advisory councils and other constituent groups to address complex natural resource conservation challenges;

H.    Considerable interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, and public presentation experience;

I.     Well versed in the development and implementation of state and federal laws and regulations related to natural resource management principles and priorities;

J.    Experience leading collaborative efforts in natural resource management and wise public use of those resources, along with a demonstrated ability to apply relevant policies and procedures to variable and diverse situations;

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.