Director, Environment and Sustainability

We have an outstanding career opportunity for a Director, Environment and Sustainability to join a leading Company located in the Chicago, IL surrounding area.

Salary: $149,850 -$183,150

Responsible for managing the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, overseeing the department's employees and budget. Supervises personnel across six divisions including regulatory, sustainability, and administrative divisions. Coordinates with local governments, U.S. and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials to coordinate information and enforce environmental protection laws. Spearheads the County's efforts to foster sustainable communities and achieve environmental justice. Collaborates with other bureaus, departments, government agencies at all levels, community organizations, private, nonprofit, and philanthropic partners to advance the department's work. Apprises the Chief Administrative Officer and President and Board of Commissioners of environment and sustainability activities and initiatives. Provides expertise on the County's regulations, policies, personnel and budget. Recommends policy, programs and ordinances. Approves work projects and staff assignments in accordance with priorities established in conjunction with the Chief Administrative Officer and President's Office.

Job Responsibilities:

• Responsible for the development and implementation of policies, programs and other executive functions to ensure ordinances related to environmental control are enforced.
• Creates and implements new policies, programs and rules for environmental control for purposes of reduction of pollution.
• Oversees all environmental permitting, inspection and enforcement operations and directs staff in coordinating with the Department of Administrative Hearings.
• Identifies gaps in service for residents, businesses and municipalities and recommends programs and investments to support sustainability and environmental justice.
• Collaborates with internal and external partners to guide sustainability initiatives and investments, effectively tracks performance and progress, and report findings to stakeholders.
• Advises on sustainability practices within operations and collaborates closely with other Bureaus and Departments to implement these practices. Recommends sustainability initiatives and assists in their implementation across County government.
• Defines and communicates sustainability messaging to leadership, sets strategic sustainability goals, and works to embed sustainability in decision-making across County government.
• Directs the overall business and program operations of the Department ensuring compliance with all government environmental regulations and overseeing all sustainability and other program responsibilities.
• Responsible for preparing the Department's budget, including Corporate, Special and Revolving Funds and Grants. Approves expenditures pertinent to appropriated funds.
• Coordinates intergovernmental affairs pertaining to environmental matters including execution of all Delegation
• Agreements with federal and state agencies; maintains liaison activities with Illinois and U.S. EPA officials and other relevant agencies.
• Acts as a media spokesperson for the Department, overseeing the dissemination of public information related to environmental matters.

Basic Hiring Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree PLUS a minimum of three (3) years of professional work experience OR, an equivalent combination of professional work experience, training and education.
• Understanding of County, State, and Federal environmental protection laws, including regulations and policies related to air quality monitoring, pollution inspections of industrial/commercial facilities, and solid waste facilities.
• Knowledge of sustainability goals and practices in areas such as waste reduction/diversion, clean water, land and air pollution, green stormwater infrastructure, renewable energy, decarbonization, circular economy, and sustainable development.
• Knowledge of personnel, financial, and program management policies and procedures, including performance measurement and management.
• Understanding of local political units, government organizational and jurisdictional structures, and the organizational structure of Government with respect to administration and function.
• Verbal and written communication skills, capable of engaging with the public, media, local officials, and community-based organizations.
• Skilled in personnel management and the application of principles and practices to achieve departmental short- and long-term strategic goals and objectives.
• Skilled in preparing detailed administrative reports relevant to departmental activities.
• Ability to communicate strategic vision, foster team commitment and establish buy-in to enhance the department.
• Ability to apply for and manage large grants to support environmental and sustainability initiatives.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master's degree.
• Five (5) years professional work experience in an environmental control supervisory capacity.
• Experience in government or policy-development role(s).
• Experience in collaborating with partners across various disciplines and industries to effectively advance sustainability initiatives.

Benefits offered vary by contract. Depending on your temporary assignment, benefits may include direct deposit, free career counseling services, 401(k), select paid holidays, short-term disability insurance, skills training, employee referral bonus, and affordable medical coverage plan, and DailyPay (in some locations). For a full description of benefits available to you, be sure to talk with your recruiter.

Job Requirements

Minimum Security Clearance:

No Clearance

VEVRAA Federal Contractor / Request Priority Protected Veteran Referrals / Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled

To read our Candidate Privacy Information Statement, which explains how we will use your information, please visit http://www.tadpgs.com/candidate-privacy/ or https://pdsdefense.com/candidate-privacy/

The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable:

• The California Fair Chance Act
• Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance
• Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers
• San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance