Special Assistant (Director Strategic Planning and Performance Management)

Description

Duties Description

Within the Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Office of Compliance, Risk, Innovation, and Strategic Planning, the Strategic Planning and Performance Management Office (SPPMO) leads the agency’s strategic planning and process improvement work. The Director of SPPMO serves as a key liaison between the DEC Executive and leadership teams, oversees agency-wide strategic planning and process improvement efforts, and conducts priority special projects related to performance management to enhance the effectiveness of DEC operations and services. The director leads the team that supports the development, implementation, and execution of the agency’s strategic plan, works to refine DEC’s strategic direction, and advances major initiatives across the agency to further strategic priorities. They facilitate development of the Agency’s process improvement plan and work with program managers and Executive to build and implement process improvement opportunities that increase productivity, address inefficiencies, improve customer service, align with Executive priorities, and address issues identified through strategic planning, the agency’s review of internal controls, and agency operations. SPPMO coordinates strategic planning and improvement efforts across DEC Regions, Divisions, and Offices, tracking progress, evaluating and measuring impact, and recommending changes.

The Director Will

• Facilitate agency process improvement initiatives that identify, analyze, and implement continuous improvement strategies to enhance operational efficiency within DEC and improve customer satisfaction
• Build formal connections between strategic planning and process improvement and propose process improvement opportunities to managers and the Executive team based on interconnections with strategic planning.
• Facilitate development of the agency process improvement plan, working with the Office of Risk and Compliance, Program managers, and Executive to identify process improvement opportunities that align with Executive priorities and address needs identified through internal control reviews, audits, and agency operations to help expand a culture of change at DEC.
• Co-lead project facilitation as needed and develop process improvement coordinators throughout DEC
• Conduct strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats analyses and gap analyses
• Identify and analyze strategic planning trends/issues to inform and refine DEC’s strategic direction.
• In consultation with DEC leadership, coordinate and manage the development and implementation of the agency's strategic plan and facilitate major initiatives across divisions to advance strategic priorities.
• Lead meetings and discussions with DEC Directors and staff on implementation of the agency's strategic initiatives and high-priority special projects; gather, interpret, and present information from disparate sources to measure initiative progress/status, address challenges of implementation; and verify deliverables and deadlines using standard project management tools and methods.
• Provide briefings on DEC’s strategic plan, summarize key data and conclusions, propose options for addressing obstacles to strategic objectives, and gain support for implementation.
• Facilitate targeted strategic planning sessions at each of DEC’s nine Regional Offices and with Divisions/Offices within Central Office.
• Work with program leaders to trigger action when improvement or implementation deadlines are lagging to explore options for resolution.
• Coordinate internal communications with the Deputy Commissioner for Public Affairs, to include a rollout plan to introduce the strategic plan to staff and implement communications tools regarding strategic planning and strategic direction (website, dashboards, etc.).
• Train staff in strategic planning and process improvement, developing expertise in specific program areas throughout the agency.
• Develop and implement a strategic achievement tracking system and a process improvement tracking system
• Manage a (currently) 4-person SPPMO team to deliver process improvement projects, support strategic planning efforts, and undertake other DEC Executive priority projects, including oversight of staff development
• In addition, the TITLE will work to advance the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by assessing and addressing barriers and opportunities in recruitment and hiring practices and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competency.
• Candidates are encouraged to apply if they have applicable transferrable skills not included in the minimum qualifications, but that would enable them to excel at the job requirements.
• Lead and facilitate enterprise-wide initiatives and special projects. In addition, the TITLE will work to advance the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by assessing and addressing barriers and opportunities in recruitment and hiring practices and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competency.
  
  

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelors’ degree in Business, Public, or Non-Profit Administration, Public Policy or related field with 7 years relevant experience or Associates degree with 9 years relevant experience. A Masters’ Degree may be substituted for one year of experience.

Professional Experience in leadership capacities; conducting policy analysis, project management, public sector management, developing strategies and planning execution of public policy, research, strategic planning, or related fields. Experience with managing multiple tasks and problem-solving to enhance productivity and efficiency. Multidisciplinary background preferred.

Preferred Qualifications:Excellent project management and organizational skills.

• Excellent oral communication, writing skills, and active listening skills, as well as ability to summarize complex concepts quickly, clearly, and concisely for variety of audiences.
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking.
• Strong presentation skills and experience producing presentation materials.
• Capable of delivering high-quality work product and adapting to changing assignment scope.
• Ability to work with substantial independence, take ownership of projects, and successfully manage multiple priorities under pressure.
• Ability to learn quickly, synthesize input from a variety of sources and think critically and strategically
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, ability to produce quality outputs within compressed timeframes
• Proficiency with MS Excel (to develop complex spreadsheets and track data) and MS PowerPoint (to develop executive presentations and demonstrations); Proficiency with MS Word (to develop organized, properly formatted documents); Familiarity with workflow documentation.
• Team facilitation and leadership
• Process Improvement Specialist certification
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
• Membership in or certification by a strategic planners professional association
• Excellent project management, writing, researching, and presentation skills. Strong analytical skills and the ability to process information and interpret data to provide relevant conclusions/recommendations/strategy
• Candidates are encouraged to apply if they have applicable transferrable skills not included in the minimum qualifications, but that would enable them to excel at the job requirements.
• Ideal candidates are creative, solution-oriented professionals with excellent interpersonal and leadership skills who are driven to improve processes and advance efficiencies.
  
  

Additional Comments

Must have a valid driver’s license or demonstrate the ability to meet the transportation needs of the position.

Travel may be required.

Overtime may be required.

Overnight travel may be required.

Telecommuting may be available, will be discussed at interview.

We offer a work-life balance and a generous benefits package, worth 65% of salary, including:

• Holiday & Paid Time Off
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)
• Pension from New York State Employees’ Retirement System
• Shift & Geographic pay differentials
• Affordable Health Care options
• Family dental and vision benefits at no additional cost
• NYS Deferred Compensation plan
• Access to NY 529 and NY ABLE College Savings Programs, and U.S. Savings Bonds
• And many more...
  
  

For new State employees appointed to graded positions, the annual salary is the hiring rate (beginning of the Salary Range) of the position. Promotion salaries are calculated by the NYS Office of the State Comptroller in accordance with NYS Civil Service Law, OSC Payroll rules and regulations and negotiated union contracts.

The Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is committed to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. Our work would not be possible without the diverse backgrounds, experiences, ideas, and abilities of our employees. DEC is committed to developing a workforce which represents the diverse population of New York State. DEC embraces a diverse and inclusive work environment by encouraging all individuals, including those with disabilities, to apply to open positions at the agency.