Executive Director

State of Ohio • Westerville, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Release Compensation Board manages the Financial Assurance Fund, a risk-pool financing mechanism that reimburses underground storage tank owners for corrective-action costs resulting from petroleum UST releases. The Executive Director serves under the administrative direction of the 12-member Board and as Director of the Fund under applicable Ohio law and administrative rules. As the Board’s chief administrative officer, the Executive Director provides executive leadership for the Fund’s administration, financial stewardship, investment oversight, and long-term sustainability.

The Executive Director exercises independent executive authority over a statewide program serving approximately 3,100 UST owners and more than 21,000 regulated tanks, directs an agency of 16 full-time employees, and oversees approximately $8.5 million in annual fee collections, $7 million in annual claims expenditures, and $2.5 million in operating expenditures. The role administers the Fund under Ohio Revised Code sections 3737.87 through 3737.98 and Ohio Administrative Code rules 3737-1-01 through 3737-1-23.

The position is permanent, full-time, unclassified, and exempt from union representation. Work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 4151 Executive Parkway, Suite 350, Westerville, Ohio. Compensation is commensurate with experience.

Requirements

• Completion of an undergraduate core program in public administration, business administration, accounting, finance, environmental science, engineering, law, or a closely related field.
• At least five years of progressively responsible executive or senior management experience.
• Experience or training in executive management, supervision, budgeting, financial management, public administration, regulatory compliance, and governmental operations.
• Experience or training in public relations, legislative relations, stakeholder communications, employee development, and organizational leadership.
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be accepted as determined by the Board.
• Knowledge of executive leadership, public administration, strategic planning, and organizational management.
• Knowledge of government budgeting, fiscal management, financial analysis, and public fund administration.
• Knowledge of applicable Ohio laws and rules governing USTs, the Board, and the Fund.
• Knowledge of environmental remediation, claims administration, and reimbursement programs.
• Knowledge of government procurement, contract administration, human resources, management, public relations, legislative processes, rulemaking, records management, and office administration.
• Skill in executive leadership, strategic decision-making, and project management.
• Skill in budget preparation, financial oversight, and policy analysis.
• Skill in public speaking, presentations, negotiation, and conflict resolution.
• Ability to direct and manage a statewide regulatory reimbursement program; interpret and apply statutes, rules, policies, and financial regulations; analyze financial, legal, operational, and policy issues; develop long-range strategies and stakeholder relationships; supervise, mentor, and evaluate professional staff; communicate effectively; and handle sensitive matters with discretion while identifying risks.
• Final applicants tentatively selected must submit to urinalysis for illegal drugs, including marijuana; employment is contingent on successful completion of a background check.

Nice To Haves

• Experience administering governmental financial assurance, insurance, environmental, or reimbursement programs.
• Professional certification or an advanced degree in public administration, business administration, finance, environmental management, law, or a related field.
• Knowledge of UST regulations, petroleum contamination remediation, governmental budgeting, accounting, and public fund management.
• Experience working with governing boards or commissions, legislative affairs, or administrative rulemaking.

Responsibilities

• Administer the Petroleum Underground Storage Tank Financial Assurance Fund in accordance with applicable Ohio statutes and administrative rules.
• Direct statewide administration of the Fund and implement policies, strategic objectives, and directives established by the Board.
• Oversee Fund finances, investments, fiscal sustainability, and related policy recommendations in consultation with investment managers, actuaries, financial consultants, and the Treasurer of State.
• Develop, administer, and monitor the agency’s biennial operating budget; manage annual revenues, claims expenditures, and operating expenses.
• Direct the claims reimbursement program, including eligibility determinations and reimbursement requests of up to $1 million; authorize technical, financial, and compliance audits; and authorize withholding reimbursement when warranted under Board rules or pending Board action.
• Administer UST owner coverage, including annual fee assessments, Certificates of Coverage, and delinquent fee collection activities.
• Coordinate compliance, collections, litigation, audits, and enforcement matters with the Ohio Attorney General, county prosecutors, BUSTR, and other agencies.
• Assist the Board when it acts as an appeal body for determinations issued by the Director of the Fund.
• Develop agency policies, strategic initiatives, Board recommendations, proposed administrative rules, and legislative recommendations.
• Represent the Board before the Ohio General Assembly, Governor’s Office, state agencies, industry organizations, environmental professionals, regulated entities, consultants, and the public; make presentations and provide legislative testimony.
• Direct procurement and contract administration for professional service providers required to administer the Fund.
• Direct agency operations and administrative services, including human resources, procurement, public records, information systems, and customer service.
• Lead agency personnel by setting goals, directing workforce planning, evaluating performance, supporting recruitment and development, and promoting succession planning and engagement.
• Research financial assurance programs, environmental remediation, legislative initiatives, rules, and best practices; recommend improvements to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with applicable laws, rules, ethics requirements, procurement standards, and administrative policies.
• Direct preparation of reports, budget requests, financial analyses, performance measures, public information materials, speeches, presentations, and legislative testimony.
• Respond to sensitive inquiries from legislators, regulated entities, consultants, attorneys, state officials, media, and the public.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive