Review Vacancy

Date Posted: 08/08/22
Applications Due: 02/09/23
Vacancy ID: 110133

Position Information

AgencyState, Department of

TitleDeputy Counsel – Office of Renewable Energy Siting

Occupational CategoryLegal

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $112155 to $141538 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Temporary

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 20%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 9 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County Albany

Street Address W.A. Harriman Campus Building 9, 4th Floor

1220 Washington Avenue

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12226

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications Candidates should have substantial experience working in, or interacting with, government agencies in an environmental/regulatory context. Candidates must have a law degree from an accredited law school and admission to, and be a member in good standing of, the New York State Bar, and should have 6+ years of post-bar public sector legal experience, preferably in the energy and environmental sectors, and more specifically with New York’s electric industry and/or renewable energy field. Preferred qualifications include experience in government work, administrative hearings or litigation, analyzing legal issues, and researching and interpreting complex areas of law. Preferred candidates will have experience in clean energy siting, experience managing legal staff, and strong oral and written communication skills. Preference will also be given to candidates that have experience in siting of major transmission and/or generation projects under the State Environmental Quality Review Act, Public Service Law (PSL) Article VII and/or PSL Article 10.

Duties Description The Deputy Counsel will provide direct support to the General Counsel of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting (ORES). The Deputy Counsel will handle and supervise a portfolio of complex cases on behalf of ORES consisting of the review of "major renewable energy facility" applications for completeness in conformity with ORES policies and regulations, publishing for comment draft siting permit, participating in public adjudicatory and non-adjudicatory hearings, and drafting written summary of public comments and assessing comments received on applications. Because ORES functions in a highly technical and emerging field, the Deputy Counsel will be engaged in highly complex activities which include but are not limited to working in a project team environment with subject matter experts from ORES and other State agencies, departments and authorities. The Deputy Counsel may supervise other attorneys and assist in processing and analyzing petitions involving transfers or amendments of siting permits issued by ORES. The Deputy Counsel will represent ORES in judicial proceedings of laws and regulations governing operations, with unprecedented legal and regulatory responsibilities.
Specific duties include:
• Maintain proficiency in knowledge of applicable ORES laws, procedures, policies, and rules, perform legal research and apply legal analysis to complex technical and policy issues, and promote the mission, policies, and strategic objectives of ORES;
• Consult with subject matter experts from ORES and other State agencies, departments and authorities;
• Explain ORES regulations, policies and objectives to representatives of stakeholders and, upon request, make oral presentations or moderate panels at conferences and public forums;
• Represent views of ORES at meetings, discussions, and negotiations;
• Prepare or review and edit draft responses to letters signed by the ORES Executive Director;
• Appear for and on behalf of ORES in administrative and legal proceedings, assist in preparation of direct testimony, assist in the preparation of witnesses for cross-examination, conduct cross-examination, and represent ORES staff in adjudicatory proceedings;
• Develop, review, and approve agency regulations, stipulations, orders, expungement letters, comments, briefs, proposals, and statements in support;
• Review all proposed and existing federal, State, and local legislation affecting ORES, and make recommendations for appropriate action;
• Review ORES’s application of law and related policies and regulations, and render formal opinions to various parties;
• Present testimony in court and other adjudicatory settings; and
• Direct the drafting of agreements and contracts and ensure they contain appropriate protections.

This position will be located in Albany or White Plains.

Additional Comments ORES will be instrumental in helping New York State meet the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) policy goals, the most ambitious climate legislation in the United States. The office will be responsible for implementing and executing a new streamlined permitting process for renewable energy projects in New York State greater than 25 MW, and any projects 20 MW and above that opt into the siting process administered by ORES. The process has been streamlined within this new office to decrease the time from application to approval for construction to a maximum of one year.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Contact Information

Name Nate Keiper

Telephone 518-474-2752

Fax 518-402-3656

Email Address HRM.Recruitment@dos.ny.gov

Address

Street Bureau of Human Resources Management

99 Washington Avenue

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12231

 

Notes on ApplyingIf interested and qualified, please submit cover letter and resume as one attachment.
Salary will commensurate with education and experience.
Appointment is temporary pending finalization of classification in the exempt class.
The Department of State is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, age, veteran status, disability status, arrest record or criminal conviction history, or any other category protected by law.
We are happy to provide reasonable and religious accommodations during the hiring process for those in need. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please send a request to HRM.Recruitment@dos.ny.gov.

All Department of State employees are required to be tested weekly for COVID-19 unless they are fully vaccinated. Employees who are vaccinated must provide proof of vaccination status through a secure online portal.