STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Director of Construction Support Services

Legal, School Grants & Plan Review

Recruitment #220505-3204MP-001

Introduction



Are you a seasoned leader and expert in CT School Construction? Do you want to ensure the State of CT continues to lead the nation in education? Are you fiscally responsible, technically competent, and diplomatic?
If so, we invite you to discover this opportunity to lead our dedicated team!

Position Highlights:
The State of Connecticut, Department of Administrative Services (DAS), Office of School Construction Grants and Review (OSCG&R) is recruiting a Director of Construction Support Services (Legal, School Grants & Plan Review) to take over leadership of this critical department. In this position you will lead a competent team of seasoned experts and interact with elected officials, municipal leaders, the Architectural, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry, as well as State Administration and Agencies. This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, working Monday to Friday and is currently located at 450 Columbus Blvd in Hartford, CT. The schedule is determined based on the operational need of the unit.

About Us:
The Office of School Construction Grants & Review performs two major functions, the administration of school construction grants and the architectural plan review procedures required for said grants. OSCG&R is led by Interim Director Noel Petra, Deputy Commissioner, DAS.

The successful candidate will be a high-level professional able to lead a dedicated team in the administration of Connecticut's school construction grant program. Must have considerable knowledge of the construction industry and Connecticut state statutes and legislative process as they pertain to school construction. The ideal candidate will communicate diplomatically with constituents and foster a collaborative environment internally and externally. Attention to detail and the fair and equitable administration of the high-visibility public grant program is paramount.

The Grant Office:
  • Processes and evaluates school construction grant applications
  • Prepares the annual School Construction Priority List
  • Issues State grant commitments
  • Monitors and tracks school construction project documentation, data and approvals
  • Processes payment requests and calculates grants
The Plan Review Office:
  • Determines adequacy of proposed new school facility sites
  • Reviews all project documents including construction plans and specifications for bid approval requirements and grant eligibility
  • Reviews project change orders
  • Issues project approval to bid letters
  • Develops and implements School Construction Standards and Guidelines
  • Reviews school construction cost estimates
Benefits:
We offer a competitive benefits package that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year! We also encourage a healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Selection Plan

To Apply:

  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important Next Step Information for After You Apply:

  • Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.
  • This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam.
  • At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Interviews will be limited to candidates whose experience and training most closely meet the requirements of the position.
Connect With Us:

Due to the large volume of applications received, the Department of Administrative Services is unable to provide confirmation of receipt or status during the recruitment process. Updates will be available through your JobAps portal account. If you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment please contact Jennifer Neumann at jennifer.neumann@ct.gov and reference the recruitment number.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Administrative Services, Division of Construction Services, this class is accountable for directing the Office of School Construction Grants and Plan Review.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Manages school construction grant applications and bond fund project processes; directs the collection, review, analysis and accounts examination of grant and plan review data; researches developments and trends relative to the school construction industry to maintain financial data for future capital budget requests; reviews proposed school construction projects for required statutory compliance and reasonableness of costs; makes recommendations for grant commitments to the legislature, including submission of priority lists; attends district meetings for conflict resolution and compliance with approved plans; recommends approval of requests for grant payment; develops and presents testimony and supporting documentation to Legislative committees; participates in the drafting and recommendation of revisions to State legislation regarding school construction; reviews and analyzes new legislation to participate in the determination of appropriate implementation and participates in the preparation of regulations as necessary; drafts and provides detailed guidance to school districts and municipalities concerning the school construction grant application and plan review process to ensure compliance with statutory and agency requirements; advises and consults with agency management on matters pertaining to legislation, regulations and administrative policy; in consultation with agency legal counsel, interprets and administers pertinent laws; prepares and reviews various legal documents; conducts informal conferences and makes determinations regarding third party compliance with division statutes and regulations; directs staff and operations of office; determines priorities, and coordinates, plans and manages activities; formulates office goals and objectives and ensures implementation; reviews and evaluates effectiveness of established or proposed policies and/or programs; assesses alternatives and makes recommendations for improvement; conducts performance evaluations; prepares reports and correspondence; recommends policy;  prepares or assists in development of office budget; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of the engineering, architectural and construction industry, particularly pertaining to school construction, working knowledge of and the ability to apply statutory law; considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations and legislative process; considerable knowledge of principles and practices of public administration including policy development and implementation; considerable knowledge of program evaluation and monitoring functions; considerable knowledge of capital project management concepts, bond processing and contract documentation; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to work collaboratively.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Ten (10) years of professional experience in planning and implementing public capital projects including working and coordinating with multiple stakeholders.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been in a management capacity directing staff.

NOTE: Management capacity is defined as formulating program goals and objectives, developing and implementing program procedures, initiating program policies, and personnel management including training of employees.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training 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 business or public administration may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

3. A law degree or Architectural license may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Ten (10) years of architectural, engineering, construction, or construction legal experience with at least five (5) years specific to school construction.
  • Five (5) years of senior leadership experience particularly with responsibility for a division, team, or company.
  • Five (5) years of experience working with or within school districts in the planning and construction of school facilities.
  • Experience reading, interpreting, and applying statutes.
  • Experience with building systems and school construction costs.
  • Knowledge of or experience with the Connecticut legislative process.
  • Architecture, Engineering and Construction/School design and construction industry experience or related legal experience.
  • Experience with communication and public speaking.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.

2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Conclusion

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.