Dams Assistance

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

Job Opening:

The EEA seeks applicants for a Program Manager V to perform the following duties:

Position Overview:

This position is charged with developing, standing up and managing a new integrated program focused on addressing dam safety issues, advancing restoration of waterways, and building climate resilience across the Commonwealth. The Dams Assistance & Resilience Program will assist dam owners, invest in critical infrastructure needs, and address inland and coastal flooding issues.

Administer EEA Dam and Seawall Grant and Loan Program ($22.5m annual program.)

• Become familiar with EEA grant management software and utilize it for the grant process.
• Maintain program budgets from capital and trust accounts
• Prepare annual grant and loan opportunity documents (RFRs), updating these documents to align with program updates that center EEA climate resilience goals
• Accept and process applications, facilitate application review
• Develop and execute grant contracts with EEA fiscal staff
• Assure project completion and delivery of required reports, reimbursement requests, and project close outs.
• Coordinate with Massachusetts Clean Water Trust to administer loans to public entities.
• Explore the potential of loan programs for private entities.

Establish and Manage a new statewide Dam Owner Assistance program ($2.8m)

• Working with EEA communications team, develop content and materials to promote awareness of the program
• Conduct outreach to dam owners via speaking engagements statewide
• Refer dam owners to funding programs
• Coordinate consultant services (#3) for eligible dam owners
• Liaise with ODS and DER to provide dam owners with compliance and restoration information.
• Develop metrics to track the success of the Assistance program

Manage service agreements for Consulting Services for Dam Owners (EAPs, Phase 1s, inundation mapping, other services)

• Maintain contract budget and deliverables
• Assign jobs to contracts on service agreement
• Track completed work items and coordinate delivery with Office of Dam Safety
• Continually monitor project pipeline and completed items. Reconcile with ODS Database
• Collaborate closely with ODS staff on missing compliance items
• Coordinate with DER as needed for related services
• Interact with public and private dam owners seeking assistance

Evaluate and Update Dams and Seawall Grant and Loan Program to align with EEA climate goals

• Evaluate and update program evaluation criteria and materials in order to center climate adaptation and resilience goals in coordination with the EEA Climate Team and other relevant agencies (CZM, DER), such as through the prioritization of dam and seawall removal, use of nature-based solutions, and use of climate data including sea level rise, precipitation, streamflow projections
• Coordinate with the EEA Office of Climate Science on appropriate integration of climate change data and integrating climate resilience measures into the grant and technical assistance program.
• Support and help facilitate integration of the Dams and Seawalls grant program into the proposed "One Stop grant application process.
• Participate in the ResilientMass Action Team to advance relevant ResilientMass Plan actions related to dam safety and hazard mitigation.

Coordinate and provide technical expertise to advance dam-related activities secretariat-wide

• Collaborate with the EEA Office of Climate Science to integrate guidance on using climate change precipitation and sea level rise data into the grant and technical assistance program.
• Work with ODS and EEA Office of Climate Science to develop and update relevant policies, regulations, and design standards incorporating climate change projections and tools.
• DCR-owned dams and abandoned dam projects conducted by the Office of Dam Safety
• DFG owned dams
• Division of Ecological Restoration
• Marine Fisheries fishway projects and removal investigations
• Other EEA programs, including MVP and MET
• Provide data and reports to EEA leadership as required
• Add tasks requiring engineering expertise
• Support ODS applications and management of FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam grants
• Support ODS applications and management of FEMA High Hazard Potential Dam grants

Qualifications

• Technical expertise in engineering, infrastructure design, environmental science, or other relevant fields is preferred
• Relevant subject matter experience in the public, private, or NGO sectors
• Understanding of Massachusetts state environmental programs and regulations, and climate change impacts and data
• Strong program and project management skills and ability to manage many time-sensitive tasks at once • Ability to collaborate across agencies and subject matter experts
• Strong communications skills
• Entrepreneurial skills to proactively identify opportunities, facilitate productive partnerships, and launch a new technical assistance program

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS (NOTE: Adapted from Regional Planner IV posting currently on MassCareers)

• Knowledge of dams, dam safety, and the regulatory structure of dams.
• Knowledge of state contracting processes for goods, services, and grants
• Familiarity with technical reports used to evaluate dams, seawalls, levees, and other infrastructure.
• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing.
• Ability to write concisely to express thoughts clearly, and to develop ideas in a logical sequence.
• Ability to maintain accurate records.
• Ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression.
• Ability to give written and oral instructions precisely and clearly.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others and establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural , and/or economic backgrounds.
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment.
• Ability to travel to sites throughout Massachusetts

Qualifications:
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) 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 experience.

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

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

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

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