Special Assistant/Director of Climate Resiliency & Adaptation Planning - Vacancy ID#160833

About the Job:

New York is leading the nation in climate resilience and adaptation actions. The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act) has created the most ambitious and comprehensive climate and clean energy plan and goals in the nation, driven by the need to deliver on greenhouse gas reductions, climate justice, economic opportunity, and long-term job opportunities for New Yorkers. New York Department of State’s Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure (OPDCI) plays a key role in the State’s climate resilience and adaptation planning efforts, guided by the Climate Act. OPDCI actively increases resilience and sustainable growth of New York communities by advancing land and water use solutions and targeted investments in critical infrastructure that support community-based development. This is accomplished through:

• effective “plan-then- act” programs that seamlessly combine planning and implementation;
• providing technical assistance including supplemental support to local governments with limited capacity and Disadvantaged Communities (DAC);
• coordination with state and federal agencies;
• and meaningful partnerships with community and education serving nonprofit organizations, academia, private developers, natural resource, social service agencies and other partners.

OPDCI is committed to achieving equity through intentional and just community transformation, while also enhancing and incorporating strategies to increase diversity, staff training, services and product delivery.

Job Overview

To continue OPDCI’s commitment to a more climate resilient New York, OPDCI seeks a leader to enhance, develop, and deploy resiliency principles into the full OPDCI program suite including creating program specific resiliency language, objectives, strategic goals and partnerships. This position would work across regional, local, and on-the-ground levels developing new pathways for implementation, including the design and deployment of new programs and initiatives, and interconnecting existing programs into a public-facing Officewide comprehensive resiliency action plan. The Director will be part of a growing team that identifies, prioritizes, and implements new initiatives related to climate resilience, adaptation, and waterfront community planning including activities related to the Environmental Bond Act, NYS Coastal Management Program, EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grant Program, Roadmap to Visioning Strategic Relocation RFP, among others.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee a clear, comprehensive resiliency and adaptation plan of action for OPDCI that builds from existing program efforts, anticipates future needs, and enhances delivery of program services statewide through strategic transformation.
• Create novel and innovative approaches, initiatives, and performance measures for OPDCI programs to implement a variety of resilience policy goals and objectives.
• Lead and support the design, implementation, and tracking for “Bond Act” and federally funded resiliency-focused grants.
• Lead and support the development of concept papers and responses to federal and foundation grant opportunity announcements.
• Establish and deploy office-wide policies and action plans to enhance the incorporation of resiliency into all OPDCI programs, in partnership with all program managers and division directors building consensus.
• Serve as senior point of contact and lead practitioner on resiliency plan development, implementation, and assessment.
• Oversee specialized OPDCI activities including staff-wide training, workshops and the development of fact sheets, resource material and policy recommendations.
• Responsible for regular reporting and assessment of plan implementation.
• Partner with coastal communities, with a focus on frontline and underserved communities, to advance resiliency strategies including natural and nature-based approaches for hazard risk reduction and the enhancement of coastal habitats and associated ecological services.
• Lead on-the-ground, multi-partner natural infrastructure projects, including but not limited to living shorelines, dune nourishment, oyster reefs, and coastal habitat restoration projects.
• Build collaborative partnerships that culminate in smart growth development that: encourages practices and development patterns that help improve water quality, increase the use of natural and nature-based features, increase public access to the State’s unique coastal features and supports sustainable recreational use; supports the local and regional blue economy; advances climate resiliency in meeting the Governor’s goals.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree and six years of relevant specialized experience in resiliency. Three years must have been at a supervisory level; or one year of the experience must have been at a managerial level.

Education/Experience Substitutions:

• Education: Four years of specialized experience; Associate’s degree and two years of specialized experience
• Experience: J.D. or Master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant experience in resiliency or a closely related field, with 5 years directly related to essential job functions in a leadership and/or policy influencing/making capacity.
• BBA, Master’s degree in related field and Certified Planner.

Additional Comments

The Department of State is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other category protected by law.

We are happy to provide reasonable and religious accommodations during the hiring process for those in need. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to HRM.Recruitment@dos.ny.gov.

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@oer.ny.gov.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: The Department of State employees may be approved for a maximum of 50% telecommuting, however, they are required to apply and obtain approval through management in accordance with The Department of State Telecommuting Program Guidelines.