Director of Climate and Environmental Policy for Housing in the Secretary's Office

OVERVIEW:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking an experienced and strategic policy leader to serve as the Director of Climate and Environmental Policy for Housing. This role will help Massachusetts advance two essential priorities together: increasing housing production while meeting the Commonwealth's ambitious climate, clean energy, resiliency, and environmental goals. The Director will lead policy development and cross-agency initiatives at the intersection of housing, climate, energy, environmental protection, and infrastructure.

Working with state agencies, municipalities, industry leaders, advocates, and other partners, the Director will tackle complex issues including building and energy codes, environmental permitting, water and wastewater infrastructure, decarbonization, climate resilience, and sustainable development. We are seeking a collaborative, solutions-oriented leader with strong policy judgment who can navigate complex regulatory environments, build consensus, and help shape practical strategies that support more housing and resilient, sustainable communities across Massachusetts.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1. Serve as EOHLC's Lead Representative on Climate, Energy, and Environmental Initiatives
• Represent EOHLC in discussions, negotiations, and working groups involving Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) agencies and external stakeholders.
• Ensure housing production, preservation, affordability, and equitable development considerations are incorporated into environmental, energy, and climate policy development.
• Advise EOHLC leadership on emerging regulations, legislation, and policy proposals that may affect housing development and community growth.
• Develop strategic positions and recommendations on complex cross-secretariat issues.

2. Advance Housing Production through Regulatory and Policy Alignment
• Identify opportunities to modernize regulations and policies that impede housing production while maintaining environmental protections.
• Evaluate the housing impacts of proposed environmental, energy, infrastructure, and resiliency policies.
• Collaborate with agencies to develop balanced solutions that advance both housing and environmental objectives.
• Support implementation of state housing initiatives requiring coordination across environmental and energy agencies.

3: Lead Technical Engagement on Building, Energy, and Development Regulations
• Serve as EOHLC's technical expert on building and energy code development and implementation.
• Analyze proposed changes to building codes, stretch energy codes, specialized energy codes, and related regulations.
• Assess impacts of code requirements on housing feasibility, construction costs, building performance, and long-term affordability.
• Coordinate with building officials, code administrators, developers, municipalities, and state agencies on implementation challenges and opportunities.

4. Coordinate Housing Interests Across Environmental and Infrastructure Agencies
• Serve as EOHLC's primary liaison to agencies including, but not limited to:
• Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP)
• Department of Energy Resources (DOER)
• Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
• Department of Public Utilities (DPU)
• Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR)
• Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office
• Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM)
• Other agencies and authorities

5. Address Water, Wastewater, Septic, and Environmental Permitting Challenges
• Evaluate and develop policy recommendations related to water supply, wastewater infrastructure, sewer capacity, stormwater management, and septic systems.
• Provide technical expertise regarding Title 5 regulations and related wastewater policies affecting housing production.
• Support efforts to increase housing opportunities in communities facing infrastructure constraints.
• Identify regulatory, funding, and policy strategies that promote sustainable development while protecting public health and environmental resources.

6. Advance Climate Resiliency and Sustainable Development
• Promote housing development approaches that increase climate resilience and reduce long-term environmental risks.
• Evaluate resiliency requirements, climate adaptation policies, floodplain regulations, and coastal development considerations.
• Support integration of sustainable development practices into housing policy and program design.
• Advance policies that promote energy-efficient, climate-resilient, and environmentally responsible housing production.
• Evaluate innovative construction methods, resilient building technologies, and sustainable development practices that support housing production while advancing climate goals.

7. Support Clean Energy and Decarbonization Policy Development
• Analyze policies related to electrification, solar energy, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, building decarbonization, and clean energy infrastructure.
• Ensure housing sector perspectives are incorporated into state decarbonization and clean energy planning efforts.
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy costs for residents while advancing climate goals.
• Support development of practical pathways for implementation of state emissions reduction targets within the housing sector.

8. Strategic Policy Development and Executive Advising
• Brief the Secretary, senior leadership, and agency staff on emerging issues, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop policy recommendations, regulatory comments, legislative testimony, and executive-level briefing materials.
• Lead special projects involving cross-agency coordination and complex policy analysis.
• Represent EOHLC before state agencies, legislative bodies, municipalities, industry groups, and advocacy organizations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Demonstrated experience leading complex statewide policy initiatives.

2. Extensive knowledge of Massachusetts environmental, housing, land use, energy, and infrastructure laws and regulations.

3. Experience negotiating complex interagency policy matters and leading cross-functional initiatives.

4. Experience advising senior executives or elected officials on complex policy matters.

5. Strong understanding of state legislative and regulatory processes.

6. Experience in one or more relevant fields, such as housing development, land use planning, environmental permitting, engineering, architecture, utility regulation, or public-sector policy leadership.

7. Ability to lead strategic initiatives, build consensus, and influence outcomes across organizations without direct supervisory authority.

8. Superior written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior government officials, legislators, municipalities, industry leaders, and advocates.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

PRE-OFFER PROCESS:

A background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Qualifications:
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

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