Chief of Staff

Job Description

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.

• Advises and supports the Commissioner in the development, planning and execution of strategic goals and priorities, and the business in front of the agency. Provides input, coordination, tracking, and work products to bolster the success of initiatives. Steers alignment of key goals across the organization.
• Provides leadership, decision-making and execution of work products on a variety of operational, administrative, policy, strategic planning, budgetary, programmatic, and personnel matters.
• Effectively oversee, support and ensure effective management of the department's daily operations. Make recommendations, provide guidance, support and input or decisions to agency managers and staff to enhance overall team effectiveness and efficiency, and to address time sensitive matters. Coordinates across agency teams to achieve key objectives, responds and tracks requests from oversight agencies and external stakeholders. Develop, provide input and/or implement new policies and procedures with a focus on operations and administrative functions in conjunction with the department's Chief Fiscal Officers, as needed.
• Boards and Commissions: Interfaces with the MDAR Commissioner and the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) to execute, submit, and track packages for proposed candidates to be appointed by the Governor or the Secretary to fill MDAR's boards and commission's member seats. Directs staff that support these activities including appointments to the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board (SRB) for the ten (10) regional Mosquito Control Commissions. Oversee the management of the Board of Agriculture and logistics for board meetings.
• Creates weekly reports on agency activities and submits to EEA leadership. Tracks and ensures a response to constituent inquiries including those received at the Governor's Office and EEA. Drafts and supports the development of memos, presentations, and briefings to the Secretariat. Works on certain high-priority initiatives across the organization, acts as project manager and/or cross-team lead/coordinator. Assists in evaluating impacts to agency, constituents, stakeholders and/or the public regarding potential risks to consider on various topics when recommending or making critical decisions.
• Manages the flow of information to support the Commissioner's Office communications with managers, staff, other agencies, and EEA. Represents the Commissioner, as needed, to ensure essential, timely, and efficient exchange of information.
• Manages escalated issues and incident response; investigates, documents and/or refers to the proper authority external threats to staff and internal issues with employees. Engages with those impacted employees that need support to ensure their wellbeing and access to state resources.
• Oversee and/or support operations in conjunction with HR and managers to strategically address staff issues, attend and/or co-leads meetings with those employees that may require remedial plans and/or disciplinary action, as needed. Acts on complaints against the agency, coordinates internally and with EEA HR/leadership to ensure situations are properly investigated and addressed.
• Maintains internal processes and reviews incoming external grievances in conjunction with EEA's Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Office, MDAR General Counsel and/or the Director of Food & Climate Equity in accordance with established policies and grievance procedures. Oversee and/or directs the department's recruitment efforts.
• Manages and coordinates updates to agency reports and emergency response plans such as the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP), annual reports, and any new or ad hoc reporting on metrics and accomplishments.
• Mentor, provide guidance, and champion the work of managers and staff in their leadership of internal, cross-agency tasks forces and workgroups such as the Environmental Justice and Climate workgroups. Review and provide input on strategic plans and related key documents.
• Participate and engage with staff during workgroup meetings and in sub-committees to foster a culture of diversity, respect, and inclusion; and to accomplish agency goals.
• Acts on behalf of the MDAR Commissioner and State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board Chair to review and provide approvals to proceed with processing salary adjustments for regional Mosquito Control Districts (MCDs) in accordance with internal controls.
• Provides guidance to MDAR personnel and SRB/MCD Superintendents and staff on topics related to mosquito control administrative operations, state policy and procedures, legislation, budgets and organizational structure. Direct and supports communications with MCDs to ensure compliance with state administrative policies. Collaborate on operational and personnel matters to problem solve.
• Supports emergency response, preparedness, and communications during a public health hazard, in collaboration with the MDAR/SRB mosquito control response team, Department of Public Health (DPH) partners and contractors, as needed.
• Special projects, provide coverage in the absence of Division Directors, as needed to oversee operations and staff. Manage projects and programs during staffing shortages or capacity constraints.
• Communicates situational awareness and periodic reminders to all staff. Maintain and/or support agency administrative policies, procedures, department-wide reporting, internal controls, lunch and learns, in-person trainings, and other initiatives, as needed.
• Other duties, as assigned.

• Strong communication (verbal and written) skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to pivot from one topic to another.
• Ability to respond in a crisis in a calm, confident manner.
• Ability to interact with the public, stakeholders, staff, and coworkers in a respectful and appropriate manner.
• Organizational skills, attention to detail, ability to multi-task and work in a fast-paced environment, meet deadlines and work independently and in a team environment.
• Ability to manage budgets. Ability to prepare and analyze financial information, draw conclusions, and make recommendations and presentations.
• Ability to lead and deal tactfully with others and maintain harmonious working relationships, team player.
• Ability to have relevant social sensitivity across cultures and socio-economic class.
• Ability to manage staff, contractors, and interns.
• Ability to adjust to changing or varied work situations to meet emergencies or changing legislation or program requirements.
• Ability to research and self-educate.
• Ability to solve complex problems.
• Ability to develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Ability to read and understand laws and regulations.
• Must be proficient in MS office products.
• Ability to travel, attend events and work nights and weekends, as needed.