Assistant Secretary / MEPA Director

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

48d • Onsite

About The Position

The Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office serves as the staff of the Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs responsible for the administration of the MEPA environmental review process under M.G.L. c. 30, § 62-62L. The MEPA Office solicits and considers comments from the public and state agencies regarding project filings; represents the Secretary at public consultation sessions on projects; coordinates project review with proponents, consultants, agencies, municipalities, and interested members of the public; and provides recommendations to the Secretary regarding the adequacy of environmental documentation submitted for projects subject to MEPA review.
The Director of the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office serves as Assistant Secretary within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) and provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and overall management of the MEPA Office and is responsible for ensuring the effective, consistent, and timely administration of the Commonwealth's environmental review process.
Reporting to the Secretary within the EEA Secretariat, the Director oversees all aspects of MEPA operations, including environmental and policy review, regulatory and policy development, staff management, stakeholder engagement, interagency coordination, and the continuous improvement of MEPA procedures and practices.
The Director serves as a principal advisor to the Secretary and EEA leadership on matters related to MEPA and is responsible for ensuring that environmental reviews and recommendations are thorough, legally and technically sound, consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, and responsive to the Commonwealth's environmental, climate, and environmental justice priorities.

Requirements

• At least eight [8] years of progressively responsible professional experience in environmental policy, environmental review, planning, natural resources, environmental law, public administration, regulatory programs, or a closely related field, including at least three years in a leadership, management, or supervisory capacity.
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental review, permitting, regulatory, or land-use processes and the ability to interpret and apply complex statutes, regulations, policies, and administrative requirements.
• Demonstrated experience leading or overseeing complex, high-profile, or controversial projects or regulatory matters involving multiple agencies and stakeholders.
• Experience developing, implementing, or interpreting environmental policies, regulations, procedures, or guidance.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise significant independent judgment, evaluate complex technical and policy issues, assess risk, and provide recommendations to executive leadership.
• Strong management experience, including supervising and developing professional staff, establishing priorities, managing competing workloads, and meeting legally mandated or other critical deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and resolve complex issues involving government agencies, regulated entities or project proponents, municipalities, community organizations, and the public.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex technical, regulatory, and policy matters clearly to executive leadership and diverse audiences.
• At least (A) seven (7) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.

Nice To Haves

• Specific experience with negotiation or mediation is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead MEPA policy and regulatory development and advise the Secretary and EEA senior leadership on significant program and environmental review matters.
• Develop and implement policies related to climate, environmental justice, and other Commonwealth priorities.
• Recommend regulatory and program improvements and coordinate responses to executive, legislative, agency, and other significant inquiries.
• Direct the day-to-day operations of the MEPA Office and ensure timely, consistent, and effective administration of the MEPA review process.
• Oversee project filings, completeness reviews, staff assignments, Environmental Monitor publication, Recent Decisions, advisory rulings and fail safe petitions, and preparation of certificates for the Secretary's signature.
• Provide quality control for significant MEPA documents and oversee program data, information systems, website content, and operational procedures.
• Lead and manage MEPA staff, including hiring, supervision, performance management, workload allocation, onboarding, training, and professional development.
• Establish performance expectations and provide guidance to ensure consistent, high-quality project reviews.
• Directly supervise designated staff and complete required performance evaluations.
• Serve as the principal MEPA resource for agencies, proponents, consultants, municipalities, community organizations, and the public.
• Lead pre-filing meetings and provide guidance on MEPA jurisdiction, policies, and review requirements.
• Coordinate with state and federal agencies and EEA offices and represent MEPA at public consultations, interagency meetings, meetings with legislators and public officials, and stakeholder discussions.
• Lead or oversee complex, high-profile, or sensitive MEPA reviews, including site visits, consultation sessions, environmental document review, and agency coordination.
• Evaluate significant environmental and policy issues and draft or review recommendations and decisions for the Secretary.
• Conduct individual project reviews, when necessary, based on complexity, workload, or staffing needs.
• Oversee MEPA file and records requests and coordinate with EEA Legal and the Attorney General's Office on litigation and other legal matters.
• Coordinate responses to legislative, media, public, and executive inquiries and provide MEPA expertise on related legal, regulatory, and administrative matters.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed