Job Description

　　The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is seeking to expand its commitment to environmental justice. DPU is an adjudicatory agency overseen by a three-member Commission. It is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth. In addition, the DPU is charged with developing alternatives to traditional regulation, monitoring service quality, regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas, and the siting of energy facilities. The mission of the DPU is to ensure that consumers' rights are protected, and that utility companies are providing the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost. The DPU oversees the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline-related accidents, and the energy facilities siting process. The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

　　A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition.

　　The DPU is accepting applications for the position of Environmental Justice and Public Participation Director under the leadership of the Commission and to serve as a liaison with the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Environmental Justice Team. The Environmental Justice and Public Participation Director will lead a new division at the DPU and support the work of other divisions as it relates to environmental justice. For further information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/environmental-justice-at-dpu.

　　Division Overview

　　The Environmental Justice and Public Participation Division of the DPU is a new division that includes staff from other divisions working as the Environmental Justice Team. The Environmental Justice Team includes call center professionals, planners, economists, attorneys, a language access coordinator, and compliance officers and is focused on best practices for complying with the DPU's draft Environmental Justice Strategy. DPU's work is taking place in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, with significant technological, regulatory, and market changes, and a growing emphasis on affordability, public participation, meaningful engagement, mitigating and adapting to climate change, ensuring equitable distribution of benefits while maintaining reliable, safe, and cost-effective energy and safe transportation and pipeline infrastructure vital to the Massachusetts economy. The work of the agency to be supported by the Environmental Justice and Public Participation Division is at the forefront of important energy, environmental, and technological trends that are transforming energy and transportation infrastructure in Massachusetts.

　　As the Director of Environmental Justice and Public Participation, you will lead a new division focused on empowering, promoting, and supporting public voices at DPU. The Director will also support all other divisions at the agency in thinking about how to integrate environmental justice principles. This position reports to the Chief of Staff. The Environmental Justice and Public Participation Director role is the logical next step in your career path if you are ready to leverage your expertise of public engagement and passion for public service to help the Commonwealth advance its equitable and clean energy future.

　　Your essential job duties will include (these are not all-inclusive):

　　Lead the DPU's implementation of its Environmental Justice Strategy and Public Involvement and Community Engagement Plan.Manage the DPU's Environmental Justice Team.Engage with the public through direct outreach and education to facilitate greater understanding of DPU processes and solicit broader participation in matters before the Commission.Work with DPU staff to produce educational materials about how the DPU operates and how people can influence DPU decisions.Act as a liaison to members of the public affected by and interested in DPU proceedings, by providing ongoing process information on individual proceedings, help the public understand industries that DPU regulates, and communicate the limits of DPU's jurisdiction.Act as a liaison to staff at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs working on environmental justice matters, including participating in a task force convened by the Office of Environmental Justice at the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs and coordinating with that office. This collaboration will contribute to ensuring that the concerns of Tribal members, environmental justice populations, and other historically marginalized communities are fully and fairly considered in DPU proceedings.Assist with establishing and maintaining a statewide network of relationships with community organizations, municipalities, residents, faith-based organizations, Tribal members, advocacy groups, and other state agencies to inform them about DPU opportunities for engagement.Utilize established tools, policies, and guidelines to assist with stakeholder inquiries and work with other DPU staff to provide appropriate responses.Coordinate with DPU divisions to improve, or, as appropriate, make recommendations to improve existing processes in a manner responsive to public input, with the goal of ensuring processes are inclusive, fair, and easy to navigate.Maintain and track progress relating to agency language access efforts.Assist DPU staff in preparing for public hearings by ensuring robust translation and language interpretation.Provide guidance and assistance to DPU staff relating to community outreach and engagement.Attend interagency coordination meetings, environmental justice trainings provided by the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs' Environmental Justice Office.Contribute to an annual summary report relating to enforcement of environmental justice principles in agency activities and programs.Attend periodic meetings and public hearings after standard business hours.Perform other duties as assigned.

　　Qualifications Required at Hire:

　　Familiarity and commitment to principles of environmental justice.Strong demonstrated background in energy or environmental matters.Existing relationships with residents of environmental justice populations and organizations.Strong project management skills, including planning, assigning, and overseeing work implementation.Strong editing and reviewing skills to develop clear and effective written work products,Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize disparate information and communicate that information succinctly in plain language.Ability to work effectively in a hybrid remote work setting with certain required in-office days and certain travel within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to attend meetings and hearings.Proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and familiarity with geographic information system (GIS) software.Ability to speak in public forums.Ability to maintain accurate records.Ability to organize and maintain extensive and timely correspondence.Ability to learn, understand, apply and explain the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.Ability to establish and maintain harmonious and productive working relationships with others.Ability to establish rapport with and exhibit cultural sensitivity with members of EJ populations.Ability to have relevant social sensitivity across cultures and socio-economic class.Desire to understand the multi-faceted obstacles to the achievement of environmental justice in MA, and willingness to acquire knowledge as necessary to address those needs, such as familiarity with new data sets and GIS skills.Ability to maintain positive morale and outlook while working to overcome internal and external obstacles to advancing environmental justice across the Commonwealth.Ability to travel and attend evening meetings.Language proficiency in Spanish, Portuguese or other commonly spoken languages in Massachusetts.Proven experience working with demographically diverse populations.

　　Qualifications

　　MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

　　Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

　　IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

　　Comprehensive Benefits

　　When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

　　Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

　　An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

　　The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.