STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director

Dam Safety Programs

Recruitment #260409-3400MP-001

Introduction


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.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is currently recruiting for an Assistant Division Director - Dam Safety Programs in Hartford.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
  • NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page to learn about our medical and dental insurance plans, sick/vacation/personal leave accruals, state holidays, tuition reimbursement and more!
  • Professional growth and development opportunities.
  • A healthy work/life balance to all employees.
Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here. 

POSITION DETAILS
Within the Water Planning and Management Division (WPMD), our mission is to ensure dams are safe, and monitor, assess, and restore the water quality of Connecticut streams, rivers, and lakes and provide adequate instream water quantity for current and future generations. Programs revolve around state and federal programs for dam safety and water quality as well as quantity in our streams, rivers, lakes, and the Long Island Sound and its embayments.

Connecticut has over 4,000 dams and 6,000 miles of streams and rivers and over 2,000 lakes and reservoirs. This position is essential to coordinating with FEMA, Army Corp of Engineers, and meeting state dam safety regulations and federal Clean Water Act requirements. The ultimate goal is to ensure safe dams and provide fishable, swimmable waters throughout the state for the use and enjoyment of all Connecticut citizens. If water science, engineering, and water resources are important to you, then perhaps this position is right for you.

With this goal in mind, WPMD is currently looking for an Assistant Division Director - Dam Safety Programs, at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historical Bushnell Park. This is a full-time, forty (40) hours per week, Monday-Friday, position.

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 engineers and analysts, planning for Connecticut’s water future.

The Dam Safety Section of the Water Planning and Management Division oversees two functional units: the Dam Safety and State Dams programs. The Assistant Director’s duties will be to assist in directing the policy, regulatory and technical programs associated with these units. 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.

Duties of this position revolve around day to day management responsibility for the Dam Safety and State Dams programs within the Water Planning and Management Division. Specific duties include:
  • Assists in the direction of staff and operations of these programs;
  • Evaluates staff performance;
  • Provides or directs staff training and development;
  • Builds and provides the mentoring necessary to develop and expand staff capacity at all levels, with a focus on managing change and succession planning;
  • Oversees special projects;
  • Assists in formulating program policies, goals and objectives and ensures implementation of same by balancing competing priorities to efficiently use available resources;
  • Determines priorities, coordinates plans and manages activities;
  • 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;
  • Assists in the preparation of division budget and funding requests;
  • Represents Connecticut on the local, state, regional and national level;
  • Communicates with the public to conduct outreach and address concerns.
  • Coordinates with partners as appropriate, including local, regional, state and federal officials; and non-governmental organizations and constituent groups;
  • May serves as director in his/her absence.
ABOUT DEEP 
DEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

For an inside look at what it's like to work as an employee for the State of Connecticut, please watch the video below!

 

Selection Plan

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: 

  • Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates - such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links - please check your Personal Status Board regularly. For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board as select "Update My Contact Information."
  • 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!

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 and/or technical division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Assists in directing staff and operations of a scientific, regulatory and/or technical division;
  • Coordinates, plans and manages division activities;
  • Assists in formulating and implementing program goals and objectives;
  • Assists in development of related policy, goals and objectives;
  • Interprets and administers pertinent laws and regulations;
  • Evaluates staff;
  • Assists in preparation of division budget;
  • Establishes and maintains contacts with individuals within and outside of division who might impact on program activities;
  • Provides or directs staff training and development;
  • Prepares and/or oversees preparation of reports and correspondence;
  • Performs public relations tasks;
  • Oversees special projects;
  • Serves as director in their absence;
  • Participates in the recruitment and hiring of staff, including outreach, interview and selection;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

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

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, environmental education, conservation law enforcement, 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.

NOTE:
  • Supervisory capacity is defined as scheduling, assigning and overseeing work, establishing performance standards for employees and taking corrective measures to implement those standards.
  • For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Supervising Environmental Engineer (Environmental Protection), Environmental Protection Supervising Air Pollution Control Engineer, Environmental Protection Supervising Civil Engineer, 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

  • 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, conservation law enforcement, environmental law, economics, leisure services, geographic information systems, geography with a concentration in geographic information systems, natural sciences or 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.
  • A Master's degree in a scientific or technical discipline related to the environmental field including but not limited to the biological, earth or physical sciences, environmental planning, conservation law enforcement, environmental law, economics, leisure services, geographic information systems, geography with a concentration in geographic information systems, natural sciences or natural resources may be substituted for five (5) years of the General Experience.
  • 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 of the General Experience.

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 communicating technical information about environmental science and environmental laws to the regulated community, state and federal agencies, non-governmental organizations and the general public;
  • Experience synthesizing environmental data and utilizing in developing planning strategies and actions;
  • Knowledge of environmental protection principles with specific knowledge in practices and issues related to the safe operation of dams, project management of water infrastructure construction projects, and managing water quality and quantity;
  • Experience exercising critical thinking and coordinating programs;
  • Experience managing state and federal grants and budgets; and
  • Experience applying state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures to diverse situations.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class will be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to obtain a security clearance.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required by the appointing authority to possess and retain appropriate current licenses, permits and/or certifications.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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.


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