DIRECTOR, ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY (DEPARMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY) - SHAKMAN EXEMPT

Overview

The Cook County Bureau of Administration is seeking a Director, Environment and Sustainability to join our team. This person will be responsible for managing the Cook County Department of Environment and Sustainability, overseeing the department’s employees and budget.

Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois’ population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.

WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?



Benefits

In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:

• Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 7 Additional voluntary benefit plans
• Flexible Teleworking Options
• Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 10 vacation days annually; Up to 4 personal days annually; and Paid sick leave)
• Pension Plan
• Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts – Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend
• Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program.
  
  

Please review carefully the Employee Benefits page. For benefits questions contact Risk Management at 312-603-6385 or email risk.mgmt@cookcountyil.gov.

SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY

• Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs
• 2nd largest county in America
• Larger than 27 states
• Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.
• Nearly 80% unionized workforce
• 15 unions represented
• 63 separate collective bargaining agreements
• Highway – Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.
• Land – Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.
• Safety – Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.
  
  

LOCATION

Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.

Role Summary

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 Cook County 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 Cook County 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.

Key Responsibilities And Duties

• 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 Cook County Department of Administrative Hearings.
• Identifies gaps in service for residents, businesses and municipalities and recommends programs and investments to support sustainability and environmental justice within Cook County.
• 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 Cook County 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 Cook County 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 dissemination of public information related to environmental matters.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• 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 Cook County 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.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.
  
  

Preferred 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.
  
  

Physical Requirements

Sedentary Work

Sedentary Work involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

EMPLOYMENT TERMS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County’s career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.

• Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.
  
  

Job Posting

Feb 4, 2025, 3:12:53 PM

Organization

Offices Under the President