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Tobin Governor's Fellowship

The Connecticut Governor's Fellowship

Governor Ned Lamont is seeking talented individuals to support the Governor’s office on high‐priority matters and initiatives.

Activities and Responsibilities

Fellows will be assigned to support priority projects at specific executive branch agencies and/or offices. The below placements are currently available. Candidates should indicate their top two placements within their cover letter.

1. Bureau of Information Technology Solutions (BITS) This placement will involve working with state agencies and the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) and the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) leadership to propel Connecticut’s use of artificial intelligence in a responsible manner. The fellow will assist in the establishment and operationalization of an AI governance process and assist in establishment and operationalization of an AI Usage Lab.

2. Commission for Educational Technology (CET) The fellow assigned to this placement will support the Commission for Educational Technology (CET) with implementation of State’s Digital Equity program and the fiveyear digital equity plan. Projects involve providing support on program design, assisting with digital equity sub-grant requirements, and exploring data sets that will assist in measurement of program outcomes.

3. Connecticut Insurance Department (CID) The fellow in this placement will have the opportunity to support climate risk, resilience, and mitigation efforts at the CID as well as foster innovation and leverage technology to address key administrative, operational, and regulatory changes. This fellow will have the opportunity to lead in establishing internal programs that enhance the Department’s capacity to help insurance consumers prepare for, adapt to, and mitigate the consequences of climate change. Responsibilities include program management, monitoring and reporting, and policy development and advocacy.

4. Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS) The fellow assigned to this placement will support legislative and communications staff in developing communications for legislators, stakeholders, and consumers on ADS programming successes. Communications are to be data-driven and will involve "translating" complex legislation and programming for non-technical audiences.

5. Department of Children and Families (DCF) This placement will support DCF with projects surrounding transitional aged youth. The fellow in this placement will develop an interagency practice model that addresses the gaps in services for youth with involvement with DCF, DMHAS, DDS and CSSD; explore national best practices; and conduct a cost-benefit analysis of 4 privatization of services for transitional aged youth receiving services past the age of majority (18+).

6. Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) The Institute for Data & Economic Analysis (IDEA) at DECD is looking for a fellow to help analyze and facilitate the consideration of the incentive and economic development priorities of the State of CT. The fellow in this placement will review historical and current mix of individual, corporate, development and other incentives, benchmarking against other States over time; analyze the likely economic impact of any potential changes in the composition of incentives including forecasting adjustments to tax receipts, economic output, and job growth; compile and analyze creative economic development strategies leveraged by other States with a data driven consideration of return on investment, and likely applicability to the State of CT; and assist with responding to the Office of the Governor on ad hoc requests for analysis of real-time economic trends.

7. Office of Health Strategy (OHS) This placement will support research, program development, and reporting within the Office of Health Strategy. Projects include conducting research and assisting OHS in understanding the national landscape in Prescription Drug Affordability Boards (PDAB) and working with OHS leadership to design a budget, staffing plan, project plan and deliverables for the first 2-3 years of the PDAB. The fellow will also have the opportunity to research and advise OHS on the structure of other state’s CON programs and work with CON team to devise new strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the program. This placement will also support Human Services Commissioners and hospital community benefit reporting.

8. Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS) This placement will support the Office of Workforce Strategy with research and recommendations to fill critical areas of workforce shortage within Connecticut. The fellow in this placement will conduct research on 1-2 in-demand industry areas. Research will include desk research, along with discussions with subject matter experts in government, education, training organizations, unions, and communitybased organizations. The fellow would then develop a set of actionable recommendations that may address legislative, regulatory, policy, and programmatic solutions.

9. State Department of Education (SDE) This fellowship placement will support the State Department of Education with legislative and policy research, internal policy and procedure review, and implementation and tracking of ESSER funds. Projects include collecting data and information to identify best practices from other states through engaging in state scans and deep legislative research and developing a compendium of agency Standard Operating Procedures in collaboration with the SDE Leadership Team.

Other placements may become available. Placements are not guaranteed.

While the individual nature of each position will vary, general responsibilities include:

  • Crafting new policies and improving existing ones to promote equitable, inclusive policy through research, stakeholder engagement, and analysis;

  • Coordinating efforts and resources across agencies and stakeholder groups; and

  • Partnering with towns, cities, and non‐profits to implement criical programs and services.

Skills and Experience

• 4‐8 years of work experience, with a track record of achievement and ability to work independently in fast‐paced work environments and lead projects from start to finish;

• Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills;

• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and proven ability to work comfortably across sectors and among various stakeholders;

• Relevant subject matter and/or functional expertise;

• Passion for public service and willingness to learn;

• Strong written and verbal communication;

• BA required; MBA, JD, MPP, MPA, MPH, or MEd preferred;

• CivTech experience and skillsets, such as data science and analytics, technical product/project management, and scrum/agile UI/UX design, a plus.

Timeline

  • Fellows will be contracted for one year starting in Fall 2024 for a total compensation not to exceed $100,000.
  • Fellows may have the potential to extend beyond their initial contract period.
  • Preference will be given to candidates based in/near Connecticut.

This is a competitive opportunity, with a limited number of fellow opportunities. Applications will be accepted on a rolling
basis through 5:00 PM on October 8, 2024. To be considered, please review the Request for Qualifications here and email your materials in PDF form to Melissa Conway at melissa.conway@ct.gov AND DASOTGfellows@ct.gov.