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

The New York State is seeking a Special Assistant/Director of Climate Resiliency & Adaptation Planning (Vacancy ID#160833). Candidates should have a Bachelor’s degree and six years of specialized experience in resiliency, including three years in a supervisory role. Preferred qualifications include over ten years of experience, a Master’s degree, and certification as a planner. The role involves developing comprehensive resiliency plans, fostering partnerships, and overseeing program implementation to enhance statewide resiliency efforts.
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 : . or Master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; . 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.

Duties Description The Resiliency Director will be responsible for 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 initiate and maintain strong and active partnerships with other state agencies and external partners to support the implementation of this plan. This is a senior management-level position responsible for enhancing, developing, and deploying the incorporation of resiliency principles into the full OPDCI program suite including creating program specific resiliency language, objectives and strategic goals and partnerships. The Resiliency Director duties in the Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure will include but are not limited to the following :

Essential Functions
• 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.

Statewide Focus

OPDCI programs would greatly benefit from additional senior management level support at the regional, local, and on-the-ground level. OPDCI requires additional senior-level support for development and targeted community engagement in all OPDCI programs including but not limited to the Local Waterfront Revitalization Program (LWRP), CLEAR, REDI and SSER, with a specific emphasis on resiliency.
• Support the delivery of OPDCI programs to communities across the state positioning OPDCI as a regional leader in implementing the New York State Coastal Management Program. The Director will be a visible and available on-the-ground representative for OPDCI in developing and implementing communities’ visions for more resilient and accessible waterfronts.
• Work with the Department of State management team, division directors and management team, and municipal and non-government stakeholder organizations throughout the state on issues related to resiliency, water quality, watershed planning, habitats, ecosystem-based management, waterfront planning and revitalization, public / private coastal resource stewardship projects, coastal resource outreach activities, and other OPDCI priority areas.
• Collaborate with DOS coastal program managers, and other partners to develop, support the implementation and monitoring of multi-year DOS EPF, Federal grants, and other sources of funds to ensure investment themes and targets, outreach strategies, and RFPs are in compliance with funding requirements and yield competitive investments from municipalities and partners that advance the goals of our grant and other programs including the NYS CMP.
• Establish and maintain professional contacts that contribute to a regional recognition of all our programs.

Strategy Development and Implementation
• Identify and support the development of a pipeline of projects that addresses critical coastal and resiliency issues; developing a strategic plan to leverage implementation resources made available through and engagement and utilization of DOS programs.
• Develop proposals and provide strategic input on new programs, initiatives, implementation strategies, and ways to better engage communities throughout the region.
• 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.

Project Management
• 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.
• Guide project implementation including proactively managing changes in scope and impact of regional and local projects underway.

Engagement, Collaboration and Communication
• 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 unique coastal features of long island and supports sustainable recreational use; supports the local and regional blue economy; advances climate resiliency in meeting the Governor’s goals which includes research that supports carbon sequestration and carbon and nitrate reducing technologies and methods.
• Develop and execute an internal and external communication strategy with support from the DOS Public Information Office and the OPDCI Communications team to strengthen awareness of DOS programs and initiatives, highlight the incredible assets of the Long Island coastal communities and waterways, the Estuary, and engage a diversity of stakeholders including external regional audiences on strategies that are effectively supporting the goals of the NYS CMP.
• Plan and organize events, including expert panels, workshops, and conferences.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.