11/23/2011 75720

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CITIZENS ADVISORY COUNCIL

DEFINITION: This is professional staff work coordinating functions on behalf of the Citizens Advisory Council in the Department of Environmental Protection.

The employee in this job performs staff work to support the activities of the Citizens Advisory Council. Work involves conducting research and investigations related to environmental protection, conservation and resource management issues and the activities of the Department of Environmental Protection and drafting, analyzing, and interpreting legislation, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as well as issuing recommendations for protecting the environment and natural resources of the Commonwealth on behalf of the Citizens Advisory Council. Work involves researching, analyzing, and issuing recommendations on complex policy issues related to environmental protection, resource management, and developing policies and procedures to support Council activities; handling the administrative needs of the Council; preparing and publishing Council reports and other documents; developing and presenting proposed goals, objectives and priorities for Council programs and activities to the Council and ensuring those which the Council approves are implemented; and serving as the principal advisor to the Council on all implementation-related matters. An important aspect of the work involves representing the Council before executive and legislative officials, environmental officials, business and industrial groups, and the public to explain Council actions and positions. Work assignments are typically self-generated, performed without supervision, and with a high degree of independent judgment within the scope of Council policy. Work is reviewed by the Council for quality, completeness, and attainment of goals and objectives.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Recommends policies, plans, goals, and objectives for protecting the Commonwealth’s environment.

Analyzes, interprets, or prepares drafts of proposed legislation, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures to deal with environmental protection, conservation, and resource management issues, and presents a suggested course of action to the Council.

Develops administrative policies and procedures to support the activities of the Council.

Ensures adherence to Commonwealth administrative policies and procedures such as those related to budgeting, purchasing, personnel, contracting, and travel by initiating, preparing, and signing all documents required to provide the Council with necessary administrative services.

Plans and schedules Council meetings, including preparing an agenda; ensuring appropriate travel, lodging, and facility arrangements are made; and preparing required documents for Council meetings.

Attends Council meetings, makes presentations, answers questions, and receives assignments.

Plans, develops, and conducts evaluations of the Department’s programs to determine effectiveness.

Prepares and issues recommendations on how to improve program effectiveness for approval by Council.

Serves as the principal advisor to the Council on technical environmental issues utilizing Department staff to prepare technical recommendations.

Prepares reports on environmental issues and Department’s policies, procedures, and programs.

Prepares and ensures publication of the Council’s annual report.

Interprets Council policies and positions and resolves major questions involving Council policies or positions.

Represents the Council before executive and legislative officials, environmental officials, business and industrial groups, and the public to explain Council policies, actions, and positions.

Serves as the liaison between the Council and the Governor’s Office, Pennsylvania General Assembly, Pennsylvania Congressional Delegation, department heads and the executive staff of the various Commonwealth agencies.

Prepares letters, memoranda, correspondence, reports, and other written documents as required.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs similar work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and practices of environmental protection.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of resource management.

Knowledge of issues, problems and trends involving environmental protection at the state and national level.

Knowledge of issues, problems and trends involving conservation practices at the state and national level.

Knowledge of issues, problems and trends involving resource management at the state and national level.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration.

Knowledge of management techniques to evaluate environmental programs.

Knowledge of programmatic conflict resolution techniques.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of research and the conduct of investigations.

Ability to analyze and interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively orally.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Six years of professional experience developing, promoting, and administering environmental policies and a bachelor’s degree;

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An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes six years of professional work developing, promoting, and administering environmental policies.