Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director(Bureau of Natural Resources: Marine Fisheries Management)

Introduction

Are you a multifaceted high-level leader who is passionate for fisheries management and natural resources in Connecticut?

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) has an exciting opportunity to join our team as an Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director in service of the Bureau of Natural Resources: Marine Fisheries Management.

We invite you to explore this opportunity!

POSITION HIGHLIGHTS:

• WORK SCHEDULE: Monday - Friday
• WORK HOURS: Full-time, 40 hours per week
• WORK SHIFT: First shift, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. We offer a flexible work schedule and the possibility of remote work, provided that operational needs are met.
• LOCATION: The position is primarily based at DEEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, CT, with periodic travel to the DEEP Main Headquarters in Hartford, CT for meetings. The position also requires periodic multi-day travel to out-of-state meetings.

*If selected to interview, further details about the position can be discussed at that time.

YOUR ROLE

As an Environmental Protection Assistant Division Director, you will have the opportunity to lead a team of 14 full-time staff engaged in scientific and policy work that supports management of the living marine resources of Long Island Sound. You will also represent the State of Connecticut on interstate fisheries management bodies including the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the New England Fisheries Management Council. The new head of the DEEP Marine Fisheries program will have broad responsibility for the future direction of the DEEP marine sciences program, for working with a variety of internal and external stakeholders to formulate fisheries management laws and regulations, and for working with a team of dedicated professionals across the Department to further the overarching environmental protection and energy mission of the agency.

In this role, you will be responsible to:

• Coordinate, plan, and manage the activities of the DEEP Marine Fisheries Program;
• Manage a team of technical staff, including setting workplans, evaluating employee performance, and ensuring compliance with internal agency policies;
• Manage budgets for multiple federal grants and state funding;
• Represent Connecticut on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and New England Fisheries Management Council;
• Formulate and implement goals and objectives for various projects conducted by the Marine Fisheries Program;
• Develop fisheries regulations and assist in developing state statutes;
• Build and maintain working relationships with external stakeholders such as the commercial fishing industry, recreational anglers, legislators, and environmental organizations;
• Lead public informational meetings and regulations hearings;
• Work with DEEP Communications staff to provide information to respond to public and media inquiries.

More details can be found in the class specification.

BENEFITS & BALANCE AT THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

As a current state employee, we will continue to offer you the following:

• As a State of Connecticut employee, we offer the same competitive benefits which you are accustomed (Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

OUR AGENCY

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (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.

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 by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• 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 Samantha Rivera at Samantha.Rivera@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

• Master of Science degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree in natural resources management or biological, earth or physical sciences.
• Experience managing a workforce engaged in technical and policy work pertaining to marine fisheries management.
• Experience in managing and completing projects, including making decisions on project approach, setting measurable goals and timelines for project completion, managing financial and staffing resources, and delivering project outcomes.
• Experience with team building and conflict management practices
• Experience working with members of the commercial fishing industry, recreational anglers, and environmental organizations to develop fisheries management regulations or policies.
• Experience developing Interstate fisheries management plans in support of an interstate fisheries management commission or a federal fisheries management council.
• Experience conducting stock assessment science in support of an interstate fisheries management commission or a federal fisheries management council.
• Experience serving as a Commissioner or proxy at a Board meeting of an interstate fisheries management council, or experience serving as a council member or delegate at a regular meeting of a federal fisheries management council.

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.