Energy and Environmental Protection Division Director

At the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, 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.

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday position. The incumbent will work out of our office at 79 Elm Street located in Hartford, CT with an opportunity for teleworking a portion of the week.
This position offers an opportunity to help shape the management of materials in Connecticut for the future. This is a critical time in Connecticut's waste management system as one of the state’s largest waste to energy facilities ceased operations in 2022 and regional landfill capacity is forecasted to decline by 40% in the next few years. With fewer and rapidly aging disposal options in state, municipalities are increasingly relying on out of state landfills to manage their municipal solid waste and are experiencing significant increases in disposal costs, which are expected to continue to increase absent systemic changes.

This position will work together with our DEEP programs, state, regional, and municipal government and industry partners to rethink our waste system and develop directions, strategies and policies to promote opportunities for innovation and investment in sustainable materials management systems. 

The Division Director will be responsible for: 

• Planning, research, and policy and program development to advance strategies for decreasing waste generation and increasing source reduction, reuse and recycling; 
• Development of short and long range planning for bureau activities including the statewide solid waste management plan; 
• Managing personnel and complex projects that implement strategic initiatives, legislative and program policy direction and recommendations; 
• Managing programs that include solid waste database maintenance, product stewardship program planning and implementation, mercury product laws, and others;
• Grant administration;
• Coordination with NEWMOA, ASTWMO, EPA and other states regarding waste issues and initiatives;
• Lead development of legislation and regulations for the bureau;
• Developing and implementing operational and process improvements to streamline and enhance bureau regulatory programs. 

This position will have direct supervision of a team of professional staff. The incumbent will be key to helping MMCA programs examine, rethink, transform, and create policies and strategic direction for a 21st century materials management system as well as provide assistance to the bureau's other three divisions and their respective programs to create short and long-term planning goals.

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING: 

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process. 

BEFORE YOU APPLY: 

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.  
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency. 
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift. 
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State.  Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov. 
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other. 

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY: 

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).   
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression! 
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.  
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.  
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP: 

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

• Directs staff and operations of a scientific, regulatory and/or technical division;
• Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
• Formulates and ensures implementation of program goals, objectives, new procedures and procedural revisions;
• Develops, implements and evaluates division policies, goals and objectives;
• Administers state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to division;
• Designs and implements performance review standards for division staff;
• Prepares or assists in preparation of division budget;
• Maintains contacts and liaison with public and private individuals and organizations and other agency units with potential to impact program activities;
• Recommends appropriate staffing levels;
• Develops new laws and regulations related to division programs;
• Serves as state liaison with federal programs;
• Leads the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
• Performs related duties as required.

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

• Experience managing and completing projects, including making decisions on project approach, setting measurable goals and timelines for project completion and delivering project outcomes;
• Experience managing two or more work tasks or projects simultaneously and prioritizing to achieve leadership’s goals;
• Experience collaborating with colleagues and managing conflict to lead cross-functional teams engaged in technical and policy work;
• Experience applying policies and procedures to lead or manage employees;
• Experience collaborating with state and federal agencies, environmental advocacy groups, legislators, and regional organizations;
• Experience in environmental protection and management, including experience in materials management;
• Experience administering grant or financial assistance programs;
• Experience administering regulatory programs;
• Experience formulating program or organization goals and objectives;
• Experience initiating and developing policies and developing policy reports.

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.

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.