Job Description

Assistant Secretary for Environment

Location: New York City OR Albany

Salary: $165,000 - $175,000

The New York State Executive Chamber is seeking a highly motivated individual to serve as Assistant Secretary for Environment. The Assistant Secretary will be part of a team reporting to the Deputy Secretary, charged with implementing the Governor’s environmental agenda and helping provide support and oversight of various boards, commissions, and state agencies, including: Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC); Adirondack Park Agency (APA); Environmental Facilities Corporation (EFC); Hudson River Valley Greenway (HRVG); Lake George Park Commission (LGPC); Hudson River Park Trust (HRPT); Hudson River Black River Regulating District (HRBRRD); and Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (OPRHP).

Duties:

• Reports to and aids the Deputy Secretary for Environment in all aspects of State agency management, including but not limited to, preparing status briefs, facilitating internal and external meetings, overseeing major priority projects, coordinating new initiatives, structuring policy and strategy conversations, communicating policy proposals, and advancing the Governor’s environmental and climate policy objectives.
• Oversee agency operations to ensure they are in line with the Governor’s vision and direction.
• Serve as a liaison and thought partner to senior staff at state agencies within the program area, working collaboratively to strengthen day-to-day operations, support long-term planning, and advance new initiatives.
• As a subject matter expert for these program areas, co-create legislative and spending proposals for consideration as part of the Governor’s annual State of the State agenda and shepherd the development and implementation of key policy proposals.
• Develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, consulting expert organizations and individuals and fielding external inquiries as they arise.
• Work with the program area team in the Division of Budget and agencies to support the deployment and management of robust capital programs and other initiatives, including the Environmental Bond Act.
• Consult with chamber communications and speechwriting teams to advise on press inquiries, announcements, and events.
• Coordinate closely with the Governor’s Washington, D.C. Office on federal issues related to assigned areas.
• Attend and provide remarks, as appropriate, at meetings, site visits, seminars, conferences, and conventions convened within program areas around the state and nationally.
• Review and authorize rulemaking and other regulatory actions within the program area.
• Prepare and review the Governor’s briefing materials, legislative proposals, budget initiatives, remarks, and other such materials as may be required.
• Performs related duties as requested.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree and at least 8 years of full-time, professional experience with a focus on public administration, public policy, environmental or climate policy, or other related topics.
• A master’s degree in a related field or Juris Doctor may substitute for one year of this experience.
• A strong interest in and knowledge of environmental and climate policies.

Preferred Skills:

• Track record of strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage complexity, identify appropriate solutions and insights, and synthesize key findings rapidly – particularly with regard to a variety of complex environmental policies.
• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and tact.
• Commitment to public service and improving the lives of New Yorkers.
• Broad experience in policy development and operations.
• Proficiency in common technology suites (Microsoft, Google).

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