Energy and Environmental Protection Bureau Chief

The State of 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.

DEEP's Bureau of Energy Technology Policy (BETP) has a current opportunity for an exceptional leader to serve as  Bureau Chief at our energy headquarters located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT. The Bureau has a broad mandate to develop and implement key energy policies related to the state’s energy sector as well as deployment of new technologies for energy innovation and in the telecommunications sector. By ensuring effective organization and management, the Bureau Chief advances energy policies that will help ensure compliance with the state’s statute to reduce state greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 10% below 1990 levels by 2020, 45% below 2001 levels by 2030, and 80% below 2001 levels by 2050 (C.G.S. § 22a-200a). This includes developing and implementing cost-effective strategies that reduce emissions and support affordability and reliability across all sectors through strategic electrification of building heating/cooling and transportation, increasing energy efficiency, and deploying zero-carbon renewable energy generation.

The position also oversees the state’s implementation of approximately $5 million annually in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for implementation of the Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households and implementation of the State Energy Program required by US DOE, as well as additional competitive US DOE grants.

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 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. 

Candidates selected for an interview will be requested to supply three professional references.

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 energy and/or 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 energy and/or 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.

The BETP Bureau Chief:

        Delivers strategic and operational energy planning documents developed through inclusive stakeholder processes, such as the Comprehensive Energy Strategy (CES), Integrated Resources Plan (IRP), the Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) Plan, and GHG mitigation sector/technology-based plans

        Analyzes and reports on implementation of state programs in energy efficiency, strategic electrification, grid scale and behind-the-meter renewable energy, and GHG mitigation, with a focus on how programs impact emissions, ratepayer costs, low-moderate income residents, and business competitiveness.

        Develops and implements cost-effective policies and programs that drive the rapid adoption of building and transportation electrification technologies.

        Promotes policies and proceedings to enhance the affordability of energy supply and distribution for Connecticut families and businesses, including policies to address equitable participation of vulnerable populations in state energy programs, and programs to support utility customers facing financial hardship in utility bill repayment.

        Conducts procurements for grid-scale energy, storage and efficiency on behalf of the Connecticut electric ratepayers

        Engages as a Party in relevant proceedings by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA)

        Communicates and collaborates with the Department of Administrative Services Division of Construction Services, the Office of Consumer Counsel, the Connecticut Green Bank and the Siting Council on issues that affect DEEP’s energy policy interests.

        Implements state programs in energy efficiency and demand management across state buildings and vehicle fleet, microgrids, federal weatherization programs, and pilot programs in new technologies or policy solutions

        Develops and proposes new policies and innovative models for cost-effective zero-carbon technologies at scale and grid-interactive efficient buildings as part of a modern, equitable, accessible, resilient grid

        Collaborates with regional organizations, PURA and/or the Office of Consumer Counsel to advance Connecticut’s interests in regional energy market operations and policies

        Builds strong relationships with peer agencies to advance joint initiatives and policies

        Coordinates with federal agencies, utility companies, and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security  on energy assurance planning and disaster preparedness and recovery

        Works collaboratively with other states to advance common goals that reduce economy-wide GHG emissions and advance efficient, reliable, and affordable energy consumption and supply.

        Collaborates with other bureaus within DEEP on cross-agency initiatives, like the siting of renewable energy resources

        Implements federal grants related to the US DOE State Energy Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program for low-income households.

Other specific duties of this position will include:

·        Manages and supports the Bureau’s Office Directors, working with them to balance workload and deadlines across the Bureau’s offices, and oversee their performance and professional development goals

·        Helps ensure Legal Director/staff assigned to BETP provide targeted legal assistance on contracts, PURA filings, regional energy market policy, state/federal energy litigation and other policy areas as needed

·        Works with Deputy and Office Directors to implement project management approaches, tools and deadlines to ensure Office awareness and delivery of agency priorities

·        Manages administrative and operational functions of the Bureau such as staff recruitment, discretionary budget for staff trainings, developing and managing contracts with external contractors/consultants, travel authorizations, ensuring procedural requirements for public events, and ensuring staff office, IT and other resource needs are met

·        Manages and supervises Bureau-wide secretarial support staff

·        Ensures internal and external collaboration in developing and delivering on-time, high quality energy and GHG mitigation planning documents

·        Fosters innovation and thought-leadership throughout the Bureau on new models for strategic electrification and cost-effective zero-carbon technologies

·        Cultivates Bureau-wide team morale and focus on agency priorities through regular Bureau-wide communication (through emails and monthly meeting) and team building

·        Occasionally leads special projects and support Deputy as needed

·        Provides general program oversight and management as needed

 

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.

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.