Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $137883 to $173431 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and nine years of progressively responsible experience* with engineering, law, program development, or business backgrounds and experience with government or public service.
Preferred candidates will possess a master’s degree or higher in a relevant subject area and an understanding of the energy, water, and telecommunications utility industries. Additionally, preferred candidates will have a strong knowledge base in the areas of clean energy, environmental, and climate policy approaches and mechanisms in New York and other jurisdictions; economic considerations of clean energy alternatives including environmental externalities; and/or fuel and electricity market structure and dynamics and energy and environmental regulatory structures.
*Substitutions: four years of the specialized experience or associate’s degree and two years of the specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of the specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of the specialized experience.
Duties Description The Special Assistant will function as the Senior Advisor for Policy Implementation at the Department of Public Service (DPS) and will serve under the general direction of the Chief of Staff & Director of Policy Implementation as well as the Executive Deputy at DPS and Chair of the Public Service Commission/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of DPS.
The Senior Advisor for Policy Implementation will be responsible for contributing to the development of critical policy initiatives, providing analytical and written support of such strategic regulatory policy proposals under consideration, and their implementation in the State of New York. The Senior Advisor for Policy Implementation must have an understanding of the current utility regulatory model, along with the ability to engage in innovative thinking to articulate and examine changes that are needed. The duties of this position will include, but are not limited to:
• Serving as a strategic policy advisor in all policy areas pertaining to the Department including, but not limited to, large-scale and distributed renewable energy generation; building electrification and energy efficiency; energy affordability; transmission and distribution; climate justice; clean transportation; just transition and workforce development; community choice aggregation; energy services companies/retail access; etc.
• Providing assistance in the development of sound and comprehensive policy advice regarding New York State energy policies and practices, State and federal requirements, access to funding opportunities, and other matters related to utility regulation and innovation.
• Coordinating the development, implementation, and monitoring of the Department’s policies and programs to ensure the benefits of clean energy and energy efficiency programs are directed to disadvantaged communities.
• Directly managing specific strategic policy initiatives related to the work of the agency, as well as other assigned tasks related to the development and implementation of New York State energy policy, through coordinating work within the Agency and across state agencies and authorities.
• Providing input regarding the financial costs, stakeholder needs, policy alignment, and potential market impacts of policy decisions.
• Overseeing and/or conducting the implementation of special studies, surveys, or implementation plans to ensure organizational structures and program priorities are sound, timely, and effectively address changing market conditions.
• Preparing, analyzing, and summarizing policy documents, including reports, correspondence, and legislation in areas that affect the Commission's rules, regulations, and responsibilities.
• Researching and assembling information for preparation of presentations, talking points or remarks for meetings, forums, speaking engagements, and other forms of outreach to stakeholders by the Chair and members of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Convening, attending, and participating in meetings with external stakeholders, as required.
• Establishing and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders including, but not limited to, community organizations, industry and trade associations, consumer, environmental, business and other advocacy groups, including environmental justice organizations.
• Demonstrating strong interpersonal and communication skills with an ability to work both well independently and within broad, diverse teams, building relationships with other departments to accomplish objectives.
Additional Comments Remarks:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is either Albany or New York City, New York with at least 10% travel, which may vary depending on location. If the position is filled in the New York City location, the salary range above would increase by the Downstate Adjustment of $3,026. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Appointment to this position is contingent upon Division of Budget approval.
About the Department:
The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) is to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, while protecting the natural environment. The Department also seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The Department of Public Service is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator which can be found under the Accessibility Link on the Department’s webpage at www.dps.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.