STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Energy and Environmental Protection Office Director

Environmental Justice

Recruitment #220803-1753MP-001

Introduction


Looking for a career that Makes an ImpaCT?
If so, we invite you to check out this position with the State of Connecticut!


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.

As the Office Director for Environmental Justice and Equity, you will provide strategic vision and leadership for three subject areas described further below: (1) Environmental Justice, (2) Native American Affairs, and (3) Diversity & Inclusion. Your work will facilitate and support meaningful community engagement, promote environmental justice and equity considerations in decision-making throughout the Department, support government-to-government consultation with tribes, and effectuate meaningful DEI reforms. You will report to the Chief of Planning, Legal and Regulatory Affairs in the Office of the Commissioner.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
The Environmental Justice Program at CTDEEP incorporates environmental justice principles into program development, policy making, and regulatory activities, including but not limited to:
  • Assessing and responding to environmental problems in low-income communities and communities of color;
  • Developing strategies to increase public participation in the agency's decision making; process and developing outward facing materials, such as webpages and fact sheets;
  • Identifying community health concerns in consultation with local and state departments of health;
  • Working closely with the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council;
  • Assessing the effectiveness of CTDEEP efforts in the state's urban areas;
  • Enhancing public participation in administrative proceedings;
  • Coordinating with other bureaus and offices at DEEP;
  • Educating the public on relevant CTDEEP regulations, policies and procedures; and
  • Decreasing language barriers.
2. NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS
DEEP has statutory responsibilities to the Native American tribes in Connecticut, including, with the advice of the Connecticut Indian Affairs Council, caring for and managing reservation lands and tribal funds. DEEP, with the advice of the council, also, e.g., maintains state documents, provides information to tribal members, and coordinates governmental grant programs.

3. DIVERSITY, EQUITY & INCLUSION
CTDEEP strives to:
  • Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion into our mission;
  • Acknowledge and dismantle inequities within our policies, systems, programs, and services;
  • Regularly report on organizational progress;
  • Lead with respect and acceptance of difference; and
  • Foster a welcoming organizational culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and engaged
This is a full-time position, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, located in Hartford, CT. Hybrid work 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 it is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, check out the video below!
         

Selection Plan

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 and Office of Consumer Counsel this class is accountable for the direction of the staff and programs of an office.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Duties specific to the position of Office Director for Environmental Justice and Equity include, but are not limited to:

  • Lead and manage the programs;
  • Create and implement an overall strategy for achieving programmatic goals;
  • Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with key allies and decisionmakers;
  • Actively coordinate program planning, tracking and reporting, and staff meetings;
  • Communicate collaboratively and foster an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among staff, community members, and affiliate organizations;
  • Adapt to a fast-paced work environment to support the Office’s overall mission;
  • Remain aware of emerging policy relevant to EJ, Native American Affairs, and DEI (at the state, federal and local levels), flagging key policies for staff and executive leadership.
For the EJ program specifically:
  • Identify and engage with individuals and groups in Environmental Justice communities throughout Connecticut;
  • Oversee the climate justice working group of the Governor’s Council for Climate Change and the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC);
  • Provide EJ strategy development for DEEP and coordinate with deputy commissioners in the Air, Environmental Conservation, Energy, and other offices to develop EJ goals;
  • Administer any environmental justice grant programs to ensure adherence to requirements, proper and timely reporting and other activities as appropriate;
  • Participate in public meetings to present and report on program progress;
  • Coordinate and promote environmental justice efforts across state agencies.
For the DEI program specifically:
  • Implement transformative diversity, equity and inclusion activities at DEEP, including through the Strategic Plan for Workforce Diversity and Inclusion;
  • Implement and update the Strategic Plan and related diversity and inclusion programs, procedures, policies, training activities, and strategies designed to attain a diverse, culturally competent workforce.
  • Provide executive-level advice and guidance to the Commissioner and Executive team members regarding diversity and inclusion in the DEEP workforce;
  • Provide executive-level advice and guidance to Human Resources staff in the development and implementation of best equal opportunity practices for recruitment, hiring, promotion, retention, and special assignments.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of relevant environmental, energy, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, conservation, and/or environmental justice or equity programs, laws and regulations; considerable knowledge of environmental protection and energy principles, practices and issues; knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to apply relevant agency policies and procedures; ability to initiate and direct programs; analytical, negotiating and organizational skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the energy, environmental, broadband, and/or telecommunications field.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline in energy, environmental, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, and/or environmental justice or equity fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation, public policy or administration, economics, or related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling 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 in the energy or environmental, climate mitigation or adaptation, public utility, broadband, telecommunications, and/or environmental justice or equity fields including but not limited to engineering, biological, physical, earth or environmental sciences, natural resources management, renewable energy, energy conservation, public policy or administration, economics, or related field, or a Juris Doctor degree, may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience leading and managing environmental justice initiatives;
  • Experience leading and managing other environmental initiatives, such as but not limited to climate initiatives, hazardous waste cleanup initiatives, reforestation;
  • Experience coordinating groups of people with different interests, including by facilitating meetings, to meet established milestones;
  • Experience working with community organizations, coalitions, and partnerships that focus on addressing environmental justice, disparities in health outcomes, inequities in living conditions, or lack of political power for historically disadvantaged people, including Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Native Americans, or immigrant persons, low-income communities, or people with disabilities;
  • Experience independently preparing written communications, such as fact sheets, reports, publications, legal briefs, comments for public proceedings, press releases, or website materials.

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.