Director Of Legislation, Regulations And Communications

At the State of 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 Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state's cable television companies.  Ensuring affordable and reliable service from these sectors is critical to maintaining public health and safety and a thriving economy in the state of Connecticut.  PURA is statutorily charged with regulating many aspects of Connecticut's utility sector, including but not limited to: ensuring the prudence of electric system modernization, natural gas system expansion and water system infrastructure investments, reviewing mergers and acquisitions in all the above regulated sectors, conducting periodic utility rate cases, overseeing service quality, safety, and investment for the state's telecommunications infrastructure, and implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety.

PURA currently has a job opportunity for a Director of Legislation, Regulations and Communications. This position directs all aspects of the Authority’s internal and external communications, regulation and legislation development and evaluation.

The position will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.

This position is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

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

 For questions regarding this opportunity please contact DEEP Human Resources. DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov, (860)424-3006.

This position is unclassified. Open to the public.

Candidates invited to interview will have to provide three (3) professional references. 

Candidates currently employed by the state will be asked to provide their last two performance appraisals.

In a state agency this class is accountable for directing various agency programs related to the development, implementation and evaluation of legislation, regulations and communications.

Directs all programs and operations related to agency internal and external communications, regulation and legislation development and evaluation; develops, implements and evaluates policies, goals and objectives; designs and develops programs and activities; assists in planning, coordinating and directing development of agency wide and statewide policy; evaluates staff; maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of agency who might impact on program activities; reviews statutes and regulations to ensure conformance with statutory purpose; directs development of plans for and provides assistance to departmental officials and staff with implementation of newly enacted legislation; evaluates, develops alternative analyses and makes recommendations concerning agency program proposals, rules and policies; represents agency on gubernatorial, legislative and interagency task forces and commissions; coordinates departmental and interagency development of policy initiatives and legislation; reviews agency legislation prior to submission to legislature to ensure conformity with policy objectives; directs one or more administrative units; reviews and/or drafts agency reports, contracts and regulations; researches and advises agency head on matters pertaining to legislation, regulation, communication and administrative policy; may direct other related programs and activities; performs related duties as required.

 

Duties specific to this position:

Makes recommendations to the Chair of PURA on new legislative initiatives;

Oversees PURA compliance with enacted legislation and reporting requirements, which may include providing direction to PURA staff;

Advises the Chair of PURA and other PURA commissioners on the potential external stakeholder feedback that the Authority may receive on proposed regulations, legislation and/or potential decisions in certain docketed proceedings;

Serves as the liaison between PURA and the General Assembly, elected officials, and local, state and federal agencies;

Serves as the agency spokesperson in all external matters at the direction of the Chair of PURA;

Advises the Chair of PURA on the creation and implementation of internal standard operating procedures related to legislation, regulations and communications;

Develops media contacts and advises the Chair of PURA and other PURA commissioners regarding external communications, including drafting press releases and reviewing proposed media responses; and Represents PURA on interagency task forces and commissions at the direction of the Chair of PURA.

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 principles and practices of public administration including policy development, implementation and evaluation; considerable knowledge of methods and procedures of legislative research; considerable knowledge of legislative process; knowledge of state document procedures; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to interpret legislation and administrative regulations, proposals and reports.

Eight (8) years of professional experience in a governmental, public affairs or business organization with primary responsibility for the research, development, planning and review of legislative and/or regulatory programs.

1. College training 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 political science, public administration or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A law degree from an accredited school of law may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.

• Knowledge of energy, water, telecommunications, and/or utility law;
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; 
• Knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation;
• Knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures;
• Knowledge of the legislative process, practices and procedures in Connecticut;
• Experience serving as a public information officer or equivalent official; and
• Training, coursework, or experience in public and/or media relations.

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.