About Us:

The CT DEEP is charged with developing policies and programs to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, conserve, improve and protect Connecticut’s natural resources and environment, and provide equitable access to broadband and affordable, clean and reliable energy to 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, equitable and prosperous economic future. 

Position Highlights: 

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, working Monday to Friday. A combination of telework/in-office presence is available. 

Note: there is a new salary range for this position, starting at $109,901 – $149,860. (Salary commensurate with education and/or experience) 

The Office Director of the Office of Planning and Program Development (OPPD) advises the Commissioner and supports and coordinates planning and program development efforts across DEEP’s environment, energy, outdoor recreation and natural resource programs. OPPD supports DEEP’s compliance with both state and federal statutory and regulatory permitting and enforcement requirements across DEEP’s three branches – Energy, Environmental Conservation, and Environmental Quality. 

OPPD also works to increase the predictability, efficiency, and transparency of DEEP’s regulatory processes to ensure that businesses can grow and thrive while meeting environmental standards and protecting our public health and natural resources. 

As part of the Planning, Legal, and Regulatory Affairs unit within the Commissioner’s Office, OPPD coordinates and consults with the Office of Legal Counsel on statutory and regulatory matters. A core tenet of OPPD is to support the climate change and equity and environmental justice priorities and programs of the agency. OPPD assists with the integration, coordination and implementation of these priorities across the divisions and programs of the three branches of DEEP. 

What we can offer you: 

• Excellent health and dental coverage; 
• A generous retirement plan; 
• Paid time off; 
• A healthy work – life balance! 

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

The OPPD Office Director is responsible for managing the OPPD program, including the following:

• Strategic planning and coordinating policy initiatives across DEEP’s broad mission and programs to harmonize policies around climate resilience and mitigation, equity and environmental justice, commitment to natural resource protection and outdoor recreation. For example, leading initiatives to harmonize development of renewable energy (solar, offshore wind) with best practices for equity and environmental protection, including through the CT Council on Environmental Standards and the STEPS for Solar Development process;
• Supporting regulatory best practices across DEEP’s more than 125 different permitting and environmental review programs, including developing Departmental tools and handbooks to ensure consistent and effective approaches to environmental enforcement; supporting the adoption of new IT tools and best practices for permitting processes; and sponsoring LEAN and other process improvement initiatives; and tracking EQ Branch enforcement and permitting statistics and compliance rates;
• Providing outreach and assistance to the public to help them navigate and seek assistance from the Department. OPPD includes a Permit Assistance Concierge Service team, to facilitate communication between DEEP permitting staff, applicants, community members, and other interested parties on high-visibility, complex projects, and assist applicants through DEEP’s permit processes in a timely manner from pre-application, through Natural Diversity Database review, to final permit decisions. The permit assistance duties also include participating in multi-program pre-application permit meetings; coordinating pre-application permit meeting surveys; gathering data and reporting to the legislature; coordinating permit transfers; coordinating with DEEP’s equity and environmental justice program to ensure effective community engagement in permitting processes; and supporting and revising standardized permit applications and fact sheets for applicants.
• Managing DEEP’s pollution prevention responsibilities associated with the federal Pollution Prevention Incentives grant (PPIS); 
• Coordinating agency program development and environmental review responsibilities including but not limited to, National Environmental Policy Act Project (NEPA) review, CT Environmental Policy Act (CEPA), regulatory development and review, lake drawdown planning and coordination, CT Siting Council agency comment preparation, central program contact for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region I/DEEP Performance and Partnership Agreement grant commitments and EPA Region I/DEEP enforcement/compliance monitoring and coordination, process improvement opportunities;
• Implementing and supporting other strategic planning initiatives for the Commissioner.

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.