ADMSTR ENVIRNMTAL PROTECT (DEM)

State of careers Rhode Island•Providence, RI

About The Position

To plan and administer 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 and animal life, physical property and other resources, and to foster the comfort and convenience of the state's inhabitants; and to do related work as required. This role works under the broad direction of the Deputy Director responsible for the Bureau of Environmental Protection with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative in carrying out the program objectives. The work is reviewed and evaluated through periodic reports and conferences. The position plans, organizes, coordinates, supervises and evaluates the work of professional, technical, paraprofessional and other staff in the unit/office.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to the subject matter of the programs under their jurisdiction and the ability to interpret and apply such laws.
Ability to plan and administer a statewide regulatory program.
Ability to effectively lead and manage employees within their Office or Division.
Ability to coordinate timely and efficient permitting and licensing actions, appropriate enforcement, and the use of assistance tools within the context of the program under their jurisdiction.
Ability to develop and implement performance metrics for efficient and effective operation of their programs.
Ability to testify as a witness in legal proceedings against violators of state environmental protection laws and regulations.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with federal, state and local officials.
Ability to effectively communicate in public the importance of the protection and control of state resources.
Possession of a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree with specialization in Environmental Science or Engineering, Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Chemical Engineering or Chemistry, Biological Sciences, other relevant degrees in science or engineering, or Law.
Employment in a responsible supervisory position relating to environmental protection and/or extensive experience in leading and managing major environmental programs.
For positions overseeing Groundwater & Freshwater Wetlands, Surface Water Protection, and Waste Management, qualified candidates must possess a certification of a Registered Professional Engineer issued by the State of Rhode Island Board of Registration for Professional Engineers at the time of appointment and must maintain such certification as a condition of employment.

Responsibilities

Plan and administer a statewide environmental regulatory program consistent with the jurisdiction of an assigned DEM functional unit/office.
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 and animal life, physical property and other resources, and to foster the comfort and convenience of the state's inhabitants.
Prepare and administer an annual budget for the DEM functional unit/office including application for, and management of, federal grants and other grants and accounts.
Confer with federal officials, other state agencies, contractors, stakeholders, and/or neighboring state officials on the implementation and coordination of programs and initiatives.
Develop office policies and procedures, and propose new and modified rules, regulations, and legislation as it relates to programs within the assigned office.
Prepare testimony for legislative hearings concerning subjects under the jurisdiction of the assigned office.
Communicate and coordinate with other entities within the Department regarding application cross functions to include planning, assessment, policy and enforcement actions.
Attend and participate in meetings, conferences, committees, and teams relating to the activities of enforcing the state's laws and regulations and to represent the department at such meetings.
Provide overall management of the DEM functional unit/office including but not limited to supervision of staff; training and development of employees; management of purchases, contracts, and agreements; coordination and communication with senior leadership of the Department.
Regularly evaluate business processes with the DEM functional unit/office and undertake actions to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operations, including the development of innovative approaches to addressing emerging issues.
Conduct regulation hearings and prepare recommendations to the Director based upon comments received, to formally charge parties or officials with specific violations of state laws and regulations, suggest proper measures be taken to rectify problems causing violations, and order the institution of legal proceedings against those violators who have failed to comply with regulations adopted by the division.
Direct, coordinate and supervise the dissemination of public information.
Communicate the activities and performance of assigned programs, including the development, tracking, and reporting of performance metrics.
Develop and implement a statewide program for the prevention, control, and abatement of new or existing sources of air pollution from stationary and mobile sources (For Air Resources).
Develop and implement a state plan for the achievement of state and federal air quality standards (For Air Resources).
Direct research on the identification, causes and effects of air pollution and to study data resulting from laboratory examinations of air samplings taken in areas revealing the presence of a high percentage of one or more contaminants (For Air Resources).
Plan and direct surveys to determine the sources emitting such contaminants (For Air Resources).
Supervise the issuance of enforcement actions against persons violating state laws and regulations and either appear personally, or ensure approach delegation of staff to appear, at formal hearings as prescribed by law (For Compliance & Inspection).
Order and supervise the institution of legal proceedings against those violators who have failed to comply with state laws and regulations relating to the preservation, protection and improvement of the air, water, and land resources of the state (For Compliance & Inspection).
Confer and coordinate with law enforcement officials and the State's Attorney General's Office regarding the investigation of any criminal violations of the state's laws and regulations relating to the preservation, protection, and improvement of the air, water, and land resources of the state (For Compliance & Inspection).
Plan and administer a comprehensive statewide assistance program comprised of the customer and technical assistance for all regulatory processes under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Environmental Protection (For Customer and Technical Assistance).
Provide assistance, monitoring, and facilitation of communications for permit applications submitted to the Department (For Customer and Technical Assistance).
Oversee the operation of the Permit Application Center, including acceptance of a broad variety of permit applications, directing the initial review of such applications, and facilitating the review of public records (For Customer and Technical Assistance).
Plan and administer a statewide program involving monitoring of the quality of the surface waters of the state, development and implementation of water quality standards and policies, issuance of and oversight over environmental permits to protect surface water resources from uncontrolled or untreated wastewater and pollutant discharges (For Surface Water Protection).
Plan and administer surveys to determine the nature and extent of pollution and sources of pollution and establish priorities and strategies for the abatement of water pollution (For Surface Water Protection).
Plan and administer a statewide program involving the issuance of and oversight over environmental permits to protect the water resources of the state from uncontrolled or untreated wastewater discharges to groundwater and certain adverse land disturbance activities and preventing associated public health hazards (For Groundwater and Freshwater Wetlands).
Supervise the technical representation by departmental staff on appeals of actions relating to the approval or denial of applications for environmental permits affecting the water quality of the state (For Groundwater and Freshwater Wetlands).
Administer the Department’s licensing programs relating to planning, designing, construction or operation of facilities or activities approved under the relevant permitting programs (For Groundwater and Freshwater Wetlands).
Plan and administer statewide programs for the restoration of sites contaminated with petroleum and/or hazardous materials, the operation of underground storage tanks, and the licensing and oversight of waste management facilities (For Waste Management).
Cooperate in research on the identification and effects of land and groundwater contamination, to study data resulting from laboratory examinations of soil and water sampling taken in areas revealing the presence of a high percentage of one or more contaminants, and to plan and direct surveys to determine the proper remediation of such contaminants (For Waste Management).
Conduct regulation hearings and make recommendations to the Deputy Director for promulgation to charge parties or officials with specific violations of state laws and regulations, and suggest proper measures be taken to rectify problems causing violations (For Waste Management).
Plan and administer a statewide program involving monitoring and assessment of the quality of the waters of the state, development, and implementation of water quality standards policies and regulations, and support related department decision-making in regulatory and non-regulatory programs (For Water Quality Monitoring and Standards).
Plan and administer surveys to determine the nature and extent of pollution and sources of water pollution and establish priorities and strategies for the restoration of water quality (For Water Quality Monitoring and Standards).
Administer various financial assistance programs including grants provided for water pollution abatement, ecological restoration, and certain resilience/flood mitigation projects (For Water Quality Monitoring and Standards).
Represent the Department on interagency and regional committees (For Water Quality Monitoring and Standards).