DescriptionPlease Note: This is a reannouncement of requisition #209 with minor updates. If you previously applied to requisition #209, it is not necessary for you to re-apply, unless you wish to further update your application.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Arlington County’s Department of Environmental Services (DES) is seeking an Environmental Management Division Chief to lead the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management (OSEM) and to plan and implement the County’s community-wide climate action goals outlined in the Community Energy Plan and Carbon Roadmap document. This role reports directly to the DES Chief Deputy Director while also providing leadership to and managing the County’s Stormwater Management program. The incumbent should be an experienced, innovative, and results-oriented leader in a diverse and engaged community that values their role in environmental stewardship and action.
The ideal candidate will be an experienced leader with a progressive vision for climate change action planning and implementation and have a strong record of achievement in stormwater and environmental programs management. They will also possess demonstrated success in the technical, strategical, tactical, and policy-driven aspects of energy efficiency and climate programs, ideally across multiple sectors including buildings, transportation, renewable energy, and alternative/emerging forms of energy resources. The candidate should also be comfortable serving as the primary liaison for the Division on constituency and communications issues, responding directly on behalf of the Director.
ResponsibilitiesSpecific duties include:
- Managing, developing, supporting and ensuring documentation of long- and short-term Bureau/program missions, goals, objectives, policies, guidelines, and procedures and ensuring specific action plans are in place to accomplish goals;
- Providing guidance and oversight on the creation and continued development of a sustainable Stormwater Infrastructure Program and coordinating the work of the Stormwater Infrastructure Management Team;
- Providing project management planning and oversight for all environmental projects, including stormwater infrastructure and watershed management projects in the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), $334.2M ten-year Capital program;
- Overseeing the growth of the Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy (AIRE) program, including the green building incentive program and other energy efficiency and environmental sustainability initiatives throughout the County government;
- Reviewing policy development and decisions, the site plan review process and incentives, assisting program managers with business outreach activities, and monitoring the results of the Green Home Choice program;
- Providing management oversight of Watershed Management programs, including implementation of the County's Watershed Management Plan, administration of the County's Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit, inspection and investigative services, construction and environmental clean-up projects, federal, state and local regulations and permitting requirements compliance;
- Managing a staff of approximately 35 professional planners, engineers and technicians and directly supervising several first-line programs managers: making hiring decisions, assigning work projects, reviewing work progress on a regular basis, evaluating performance, taking disciplinary actions, and approving leave;
- Managing the Bureau's budget, which is comprised of a multitude of funding sources, including CIP funds, enterprise funds and general funds: analyzing previous and anticipated expenditures, projecting new fiscal year budgets, conducting or reviewing cost analysis and needs studies, preparing or overseeing the preparation of board reports requesting additional resources, and monitoring the budget to ensure expenditures remain within the approved Bureau budget, $17.8M stormwater operating budget funded through stormwater utility, $2M AIRE operating budget, up to $5.5M of other climate\energy investments;
- Overseeing Bureau capital projects and programs, to ensure that County residents and other stakeholders are fully informed about project or program planning, design, and construction activities, in accord with County and DES community engagement guidelines;
- Providing professional guidance, technical expertise and advice, and performing program liaison work to promote programs and services, ensuring compliance with regulations and facilitating interaction among staff, internal, and external agencies;
- Building consensus and conveying Arlington’s viewpoint with regional partners and with state and federal agencies, and dealing effectively with Arlington’s engaged local community; and
- Establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with staff, elected officials, community stakeholders, federal, state and regional funding partners, County Commissions and Advisory Boards and working collaboratively with the County’s Climate Policy Office (CPO) and CMO to promote the overall County Environmental programs.
QualificationsMinimum:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Management, Civil or Environmental Engineering, or directly related field; and
- Three (3) years’ progressively responsible experience in Stormwater Management, Energy Management, or Environmental Planning, to ensure compliance with regulations and permit requirements as well as managing environmental construction projects and interdisciplinary teams.
Desirable: Preference may be given to candidates with an MPA, MBA, or a Master’s degree in a related field as well as experience in one or more of the following:
- Leading large and diverse teams in a government organization, authority, utility, or comparable environment;
- Managing performance-based energy and climate programs/project;
- Planning and managing federal and state grant-funded projects;
- Implementing green building, renewable energy, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reductions and other climate/environmental/energy sustainability initiatives; and/or
- Utilizing climate and energy-sector metrics, analytics, and tools to make educated and informed decisions.
Special Requirements
Background Check: A pre-employment criminal records check will be conducted. It may include checks of the following: criminal record, driving record, education, professional licensure, and credit history. You may be required to sign a release authorizing the County to obtain your background information. A pre-hire federal background check and State of Virginia Central Registry check will also be completed before hire.
Cover Letter: A complete application will include an attached cover letter and resume highlighting how your background has prepared you for this position. Your cover letter should be comprehensive and include a description of the size of the organization(s) you served including budget and staff, the range of services and functions you managed and to whom you reported, major issues facing the organization, and a specific list of significant accomplishments. A cover letter may also be typed in the Supplemental Questionnaire section of the application.
Additional Information
Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with flexible hours and telework opportunities available. Occasional evening hours may be required for meetings via Teams or in-person.
Your responses to the Supplemental Questionnaire are considered part of the selection process. Please do not enter "see resume" as a response to the questions.
Each section of the application must be completed. A resume may be attached; however, it will not substitute for the completed application.
This position is eligible for County government employee benefits that include health, dental, vacation and sick leave, commuter transportation subsidies, tuition reimbursement, as well as a generous retirement plan. Starting salary will depend upon the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected and is negotiable up to $209,955.20. This position is in the Arlington County Government's Management Accountability Program (MAP), in which Program Managers are evaluated and compensated based on a performance agreement linked to the County’s Management plan, and results achieved, among other criteria.
For more information on Arlington County’s generous benefits and retirement plan, click here.
Arlington County is committed to advancing diversity, equity, access, and inclusion across all our services, activities, and programs. Learn more about our commitment.
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