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Position Highlights
The DEMHS Deputy Commissioner is a direct report to the DESPP Commissioner, and one of six divisional leaders in the agency. The Deputy Commissioner serves as the leader of DEMHS, working with internal and external staff and partners to effectuate DEMHS’s work, and to ensure its integration into the agency’s mission. The incumbent will play a pivotal role in advising the Commissioner on the strategic direction of the division through data-driven planning, policy development, performance management and inter and intra-agency coordination.
The Deputy Commissioner will lead a multidisciplinary team of analysts, policy experts, planners, operations and senior managers engaged in the work of emergency management, preparedness, homeland security and training. Frequently, the Deputy Commissioner will represent the division at convenings of high-ranking executive personnel from local, state and federal partners on issues impacting both the division and the agency. The Deputy Commissioner serves as the Governor’s Authorized Representative during federal major disaster declarations.
This is an office-based position that often requires work outside of standard office hours and emergency response availability.
Qualifications
Per Connecticut General Statutes, Sec. 29-1b(b), the DEMHS Deputy Commissioner is appointed by the DESPP Commissioner and shall possess professional training and knowledge of at least 5 years of managerial or strategic planning experience in the areas of public safety, security, emergency services and emergency response, and be eligible to hold the highest levels of state and federal security clearances.
Preferred candidates will be able to demonstrate a track record of leadership of complex missions and/or organizations, strong supervisory skills of both individuals and teams, excellent written and public-speaking skills and a commitment to the work of the agency.
About Us
As one of the six divisions within DESPP, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security provides a coordinated, integrated program for statewide emergency management and homeland security, including coordination of the state response to emergencies, strategic and operational all-hazards planning; community preparedness; school security; elections security; exercise and training; and planning and programmatic management of pass-through grants. DEMHS partners with local, state, federal and tribal governments, non-profits and the private sector to ensure the state maintains, exercises and trains on a comprehensive statewide emergency plan and program. DEMHS maintains and operates the Governor’s State Emergency Operations Center.
DESPP plays an essential role in keeping Connecticut safe. We are on the front lines every day. We prepare for the next emergency, analyze crime-scene DNA, and patrol our highways. We improve the quality of life in Connecticut through law enforcement, public education, the latest science and technology, state-of-the-art training and emergency management.
DESPP is committed to protecting and improving the quality of life for all by providing a broad range of public safety services, training, regulatory guidance, and scientific services utilizing enforcement, prevention, education and state of the art science and technology. DESPP is structured on three key Strategic Pillars created by Commissioner Ronnell Higgins.
1. Operational Efficiency, Efficacy and Excellence
- Making decisions through the thoughtful and informed use of data
- Challenging the "that's the way it's always been done" construct—i.e., thinking outside the box as to how we can improve
- Constantly seeking better results
2. Shared Fiscal Responsibility
- Recognizing our collective responsibility to steward the agency's resources
- Realigning planned budgetary actions to ensure that they are in taxpayers' interests
- Preparing together for potential budget stresses and fiscal challenges
3. Ethics and Accountability
- Critically and constantly measuring our practices against our policies
- Performing quarterly performance evaluations agency-wide to measure success and flag areas needing improvement
- Regularly engaging external partners for feedback and assessments
- Opening our doors to Connecticut students and workers for apprenticeships, internships, and career pathways