Advertisement Closes: 8/7/2025 (8:00 PM EDT)
25-04027: Division Director (Non-Merit)
Employment Type: EXECUTIVE BRANCH | FULL TIME | INELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY | 18A | 37.5 HR/WK
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Hiring AgencyEnergy & Environment Cabinet | Dept for Environmental Protection
Location: 300 Sower Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601 USA
Description
The mission of the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet (EEC) is to improve the quality of life for all Kentuckians by protecting our land, air, and water resources by utilizing our natural resources in an environmentally conscientious manner. We do this by helping families connect with nature and preserving the Commonwealth’s natural heritage; and by supporting innovative, resilient, and sustainable energy solutions that together bring economic benefit to the commonwealth.
The Director of the Division of Water within the Energy and Environment Cabinet serves the Cabinet Secretary as the agency representative for the administration, policy development, and strategic leadership of the federal and environmental protection programs related to water.
This position manages sustainable water programs including drinking water, wastewater, surface water, and groundwater. The Director will be responsible for effectively managing these programs to meet the goals of safeguarding public health, the environment, and economic sustainability in the Commonwealth.
The Director will collaborate with federal, state and local stakeholders to coordinate water infrastructure investment, promote regulatory compliance, address emerging issues, and challenges.
Key Responsibilities:
- Management of day-to-day operations of the Division to ensure efficient and effective regulatory compliance, permitting, and assistance to utilities, industries, and local governments.
- Identify and propose solutions related to statewide water policy and advise the Cabinet Secretary regarding changes and developments.
- Provide consistent and clear communication to Cabinet leadership and Division of Water staff to ensure the Division operates in alignment with federal programs (e.g., EPA, Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act) and state priorities.
- Work collaboratively with all agencies within the Cabinet to accomplish the collective goals and mission of the Cabinet.
- Mentor Division staff to develop and support strong management and leadership skills with the goal of succession planning and division sustainability.
- Communicate to the Cabinet Secretary developing emergencies involving water systems, including natural disasters, contamination events, and infrastructure failure.
- Collaborate with other federal and state response agencies to address water related emergencies.
Preferred:
- Experience managing large budgets and capital programs.
- Professional licensure (e.g., PE) or certification (e.g., AWWA, WEF) in water-related disciplines.
- Familiarity with developing environmental challenges (emerging contaminants) climate adaptation, cybersecurity for utilities, and digital transformation in water systems.
EEC participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. EEC will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9. For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that EEC has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 888-897-7781 or https://dhs.gov/e-verify
Minimum Requirements
EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, civil or environmental engineering, hydrology, public administration, or a related field.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS: Experience with and strong knowledge of federal and state regulatory processes and environmental policy. Significant experience in water resource management, utility operations, environmental regulation, or public sector leadership.
Substitute EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE: NONE
Substitute EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION: NONE
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS (AGE, LICENSURE, REGULATION, ETC.): Demonstrated leadership and strategic planning abilities in managing complex, multi-stakeholder programs. Excellent communication skills with the ability to represent the Commonwealth in high-level policy discussions and public forums.
Working Conditions
Office setting with occasional travel to public meetings, and national conferences. This position may telecommute in accordance with the Cabinet telecommuting policy. Occasional emergency response duties outside of regular business hours.If you have questions about this advertisement, please contact Amanda LeFevre at Amanda.LeFevre@ky.gov or 502-782-6398.An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D
