Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection (DEM)

State of careers Rhode Island; Providence (RI); On-site; USD 106,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management seeks a Deputy Administrator Environmental Protection to lead statewide regulatory programs and oversee major environmental initiatives. In this executive role, you will supervise staff, manage budgets and federal grants, and coordinate with agencies to enforce laws protecting air, water, and land resources.

Applicants should bring strong leadership, strategic thinking, and the ability to communicate with stakeholders and the public,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Engineering, or related field.
• At least five years in a supervisory role within environmental programs.

Responsibilities

• Assist in planning and administration of statewide environmental regulatory programs.
• Monitor and improve air, water, and land resources to protect public health and welfare.
• Develop budgets, manage grants, and coordinate with federal and state partners.
• Draft legislation and prepare testimony for hearings related to DEM programs.
• Coordinate enforcement actions and permit issuance for water resources.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Leadership

Budget management

Legislation interfacing

Public speaking

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Science or Engineering

5+ years supervisory experience in environmental protection

Job description

Department

Department of Environmental Management

Division

Environmental Services

Salary

$106,392.00 - $120,670.00

Job Profile

JC-02518800-99 - Deputy Administrator Environmental Protection (DEM) (Non-Union Executive Branch)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours

This position will assist the Administrator for Groundwater and Freshwater Wetlands in the Office of Water Resources with administration of regulatory programs including but not limited to construction stormwater management, water quality certification, underground injection control and freshwater wetlands. Knowledge of state and related federal permitting processes, including Army Corps of Engineers, desired.

Job Requisition Number

JR104112 Deputy Administrator, Environmental Protection (DEM) (Open)

Pay Grade

C00138 A

Classification

Deputy Administrator Environmental Protection (DEM)

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To assist an Administrator, Environmental Protection (DEM) in the planning and administration of a statewide environmental regulatory program consistent with the jurisdiction of an assigned DEM functional unit/office; to monitor, preserve, protect and improve the air, water or land resources of the state to promote public health, welfare and safety, prevent injury or detriment to human, plant life, animal life, physical property and other resources and foster the comfort and convenience of the state’s inhabitants; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Works under the broad direction of an Administrator, Environmental Protection (DEM) with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in carrying out the objectives of the program; work is reviewed and evaluated through periodic reports and conferences.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of professional, technical, paraprofessional and other staff in the unit/office.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

As it relates to all assignments :

• To assist an Administrator, Environmental Protection (DEM), in the planning and administration of a statewide environmental regulatory program consistent with the jurisdiction of an assigned DEM functional unit/office.
• To monitor, preserve, protect and improve the air, water or land resources of the state to promote the public health, welfare and safety, prevent injury or detriment to human, plant life, animal life, physical property and other resources and foster the comfort and convenience of the state’s inhabitants.
• To regularly evaluate business processes within the DEM functional unit/office and undertake actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations.
• To assist in the management of purchases, contracts, and agreements.
• To assist in the preparation and administration of an annual budget for the office including application for, and management of, federal grants and other grants and accounts.
• To confer with federal officials, other state agencies, contractors, stakeholders, and/or neighboring state officials to implement and coordinate programs.
• To draft legislation and prepare testimony for legislative hearings concerning subjects under the jurisdiction of their office.
• To communicate and coordinate with other entities within the department involving planning, assessment, policy and enforcement actions.
• To charge parties or officials with specific violations of federal and state laws and regulations, and suggest proper measures be taken to mitigate environmental problems which cause violations.
• To order the initiation of legal proceedings against violators who have failed to comply with all federal and state laws and regulations adopted by the division.
• To attend meetings and conferences relating to the activities of the DEM functional unit/office and to represent the department at such meetings.
• To assist in directing, coordinating and supervising the dissemination of public information.
• To communicate the activities and performance of the programs, including the development, tracking and reporting of performance metrics.
• To do related work as required.

For Water Resources:

• To assist in planning, formulating and administering comprehensive statewide Water Resources programs involving the baseline monitoring and assessment of the quality of state waters, the development and implementation of water quality standards and the implementation of programs to prevent degradation and promote restoration of state waters including surface waters and groundwaters.
• To assist in planning, developing and administering comprehensive statewide programs involving the issuance and oversight of environmental permits to protect surface water resources from uncontrolled or untreated wastewater discharge and adverse land disturbance activities.
• To plan and administer surveys to determine the nature and extent of pollution and sources of pollution, and to establish priorities and strategies for the abatement of water pollution.
• To assist in supervising the technical representation by staff on appeals of actions relating to the approval or denial of applications for environmental permits affecting the water quality of the state.
• To assist in administering the department’s licensing programs relating to planning, designing, constructing or operating facilities or activities approved under the relevant permitting programs.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to statewide environmental regulatory programs which monitor, preserve, protect and improve the air, water or land resources of the state, and the ability to interpret and apply such laws; the ability to plan and administer air, water or land resources statewide regulatory programs; the ability to effectively lead and manage employees within an office or division; the ability to coordinate timely and efficient permitting and licensing actions, appropriate enforcement, and the use of assistance tools within the context of the air, water or land resources programs; the ability to develop and implement performance metrics for efficient and effective operation of their programs; the ability to testify as a witness in legal proceedings against violators of environmental protection laws and regulations; the ability to establish and maintain effective working relations; the ability to effectively communicate in public the importance of the protection and control of state resources; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Such as may have been gained through: possession of a Bachelor’s Degree from a college of recognized standing with specialization in either Environmental Science or Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Law, or other related science or engineering degrees; and

Experience: Such as may have been gained through: at least five (5) years of employment in a responsible supervisory position relating to environmental protection and/or extensive experience in leading and managing major environmental programs.

Supplemental Information

Benefits

For information regarding thebenefits available to State of RhodeIsland employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits’ website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised thata new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.