Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director

At the Connecticut Department of Energy & 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. Within the Water Planning and Management Division (WPMD), our mission is to 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 water quality and water quantity in our streams, rivers, lakes, and the Long Island Sound and its embayments.  Connecticut has over 6,000 miles of streams and rivers and over 2,000 lakes and reservoirs.  This position is essential to coordinating with US EPA and meeting federal Clean Water Act requirements.  The ultimate goal is to provide fishable, swimmable waters throughout the state for the use and enjoyment of all Connecticut citizens. If water science 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- Water Planning, at our downtown Hartford Office, located at 79 Elm Street, across from historical Bushnell Park. 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, planning for Connecticut’s water future. The Planning Section of the Water Planning and Management Division oversees four functional units: Water Monitoring, Water Quality, Water Quantity, and Watersheds. The Assistant Director’s duties will be to assist in directing the policy, regulatory and technical programs associated with these units. In addition, the Assistant Director will coordinate with the Assistant Director of Infrastructure Management 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.   This position is fulltime, forty (40) hours per week, Monday-Friday. Applicants invited to interview will be requested to supply the following: Current State Employees- Last two (2) performance appraisals and attendance records for the last two (2) years; Non-State Employees- three (3) professional references, with contact information. Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume with their applications. (Note: In order to upload documents you must ensure that your internet browser's 'pop-up' blocker is off.  Failure to do so may prevent you from being able to upload documentation and submit your application.)  Questions about these required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office:  DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov, (860)424-3006.

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

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.

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.

Specific responsibilities will include but not be limited to:  

Day to day management responsibility for the Water Planning Section within the Water Planning and Management Division, including: 

·       Assists in direction of staff and operations of the Water Planning 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; and 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; and

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.

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.

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.

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.

·       Demonstrated leadership and personnel management skills including experience leading a highly skilled technical workforce and a proven ability to manage productivity, identify problems and recognize opportunities. 

·       Proven public, written and interpersonal communication and negotiation skills, including effectively communicating complex technical information in a clear and concise manner with the regulated community, state and federal agencies and environmental advocacy groups;

·       Proven track record of synthesizing complex environmental data and utilizing in developing planning strategies and actions; 

·       Considerable knowledge of environmental protection principles, ideally practices and issues related to water quality, water quantity, and watershed management; 

·       Demonstrated ability to exercise critical thinking, coordinate programs and make sound decisions;

·       Experience managing state and federal grants and budgets; and

·       Ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, regulations, policies and procedures to diverse situations.

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.