STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director

Recruitment #220606-3400MP-001

Introduction


Looking for a leadership position in the field of environmental protection?
If so, we invite you to explore this outstanding opportunity!

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. Within the Bureau of Water Protection & Land Reuse (WPLR), our mission is to work together for the restoration, protection and conservation of Connecticut’s water and land resources for current and future generations.

With this goal in mind, WPLR is currently looking for an Assistant Division Director in the Municipal Wastewater, Water Planning and Management Division, at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historical Bushnell Park. 

POSITION DETAILS
The Water Planning and Management Division (WPMD) is responsible for implementing requirements of the federal Clean Water Act and state statutes and regulations to protect water quality and habitat, maintain water quantity, and protect public health and safety The ultimate goal is to provide fishable, swimmable waters throughout the state for the use and enjoyment of all Connecticut citizens. Programs revolve around state and federal programs for water quality and water quantity in our streams, rivers, lakes, and the Long Island Sound and its embayments. This position is essential to coordinating with US EPA and meeting federal Clean Water Act requirements.

If water resource protection and wastewater infrastructure improvement are important to you, then perhaps this position is right for you. The position affords a dedicated and experienced environmental manager committed to public service and environmental protection an exciting opportunity. The successful candidate will thrive in a fast-paced workplace with a talented and committed group of professionals, protecting Connecticut’s water resources.

The Municipal Wastewater Section of the Water Planning and Management Division focuses on the following:
  • Reducing impairments to water quality and quantity from municipal wastewater treatment plants and protecting high quality resources and identifying emerging issues through oversight of the planning, design and construction of municipal wastewater infrastructure improvements;
  • implementation of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit program;
  • Administration of the Clean Water Fund.
The Assistant Director’s duties will be to assist in directing the policy, regulatory and technical programs associated with this section. In addition, the Assistant Director will coordinate with the Assistant Directors of Planning and Dam Safety on cross cutting issues. The Assistant Director receives administrative direction from the Director of the Water Planning and Management Division within the Bureau of Water Protection and Land Reuse. For specific duties, please see the "Examples of Duties" section below.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week schedule on first shift, Monday-Friday. Hours are flexible and a hybrid work schedule is available.

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

For an inside look at what is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, check out the video below!
         

Selection Plan

This is an Open to the Public, competitive position.

Before you apply, make note of the following:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the 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.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • 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 information for after you apply:
  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • 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.
  • Note: 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.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
Questions about this position should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for assisting in the direction of the staff and programs of a scientific, regulatory or technical division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

This specific position duties include, but are not limited to, day to day management responsibility for the Municipal Wastewater Section within the Water Planning and Management Division, including:
  • Assists in direction of staff and operations of the Municipal Wastewater Section;
  • Determines priorities, coordinates plans and manages activities;
  • Assists in formulating program policies, goals and objectives and ensures implementation of same by balancing competing priorities to efficiently use available resources;
  • Prepares or directs the development of office implementation plans for achieving goals and objectives utilizing innovative approaches;
  • Reviews and evaluates effectiveness of established or proposed policies and/or programs assessing options and developing recommendations for improvement;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations; Evaluates staff performance;
  • Provides or directs staff training and development;
  • Assists in preparation of division budget;
  • Prepares and/or oversees preparation of reports and correspondence;
  • Oversees special projects;
  • Represent Connecticut on the local, state, regional and national level;
  • May serve as director in his/her absence;
  • Coordinates with partners as appropriate, including technical consultation to local, regional, state and federal officials, in addition to non-governmental organizations and constituent groups;
  • Builds and provides the mentoring necessary to develop and expand staff capacity at all levels, with a focus on managing change and succession planning;
  • Performs related duties as required.
GENERAL DUTIES: Assists in direction of staff and operations of division; determines priorities, coordinates plans and manages activities; assists in formulating program goals and objectives and ensures implementation of same; assists in development of related policy, goals and objectives; interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations; evaluates staff performance; provides or directs staff training and development; assists in preparation of division budget; prepares and/or oversees preparation of reports and correspondence; performs public relations tasks; oversees special projects; serves as director in his/her absence; establishes and maintains contacts with individuals both within and outside of division who might impact on program activities; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of environmental protection principles, techniques, practices and issues; considerable knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; analytical, organizational and negotiating skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in natural resource management, environmental conservation, energy research, energy planning, energy policy development, public outdoor recreation, pollution prevention, reduction and management, environmental regulatory programs or other related environmental protection field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in a supervisory capacity responsible for the supervision of professional and technical support staff performing environmental protection work. Notes:
1. Supervisory capacity is interpreted as scheduling, assigning and overseeing work, establishing performance standards for employees and taking corrective measures to implement those standards.
2. For State Employees, the Special Experience is interpreted at the level of Environmental Protection Supervising Sanitary Engineer (Environmental Protection), Environmental Protection Supervising Air Pollution Control Engineer, Environmental Protection Supervising Civil Engineer, Environmental Protection Supervising Environmental Analyst, Environmental Protection Supervising Forester, Environmental Protection Supervising Fisheries Biologist, Environmental Protection Supervising Wildlife Biologist or other comparable supervisory title responsible for the supervision of professional and technical support staff performing environmental protection work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline related to the 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 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 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 may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.
3. A law degree with a concentration in environmental protection or doctorate degree in a field related to 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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience leading and applying personnel management to supervise a workforce of engineers and scientists.
  • Experience managing productivity, defining expectations and coordinating programs;
  • Experience interpreting, utilizing, and implementing environmental and engineering information;
  • Experience, course work or training in environmental protection principles and practices with a focus on water pollution control and wastewater treatment;
  • Experience managing program budgets, governmental grants, or infrastructure financing programs.
  • Experience interpreting and administering state and federal water pollution control laws, regulations, policies and procedures , including permitting and enforcement activities;
  • Experience communicating information related to environmental science and state and federal water pollution control act programs to the regulated community, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations or the general public;
  • Experience developing and implementing methods to address environmental challenges, resolve conflicting stakeholder priorities and manage program resources.
  • Experience negotiating settlements or agreements with other parties to resolve disputed matters concerning environmental regulation or compliance.

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.