Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyState, Department of

TitleDeputy Counsel – Office of Renewable Energy Siting

Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $0 to $0 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 Swan Street Building, Empire State Plaza

City Albany

StateNY

Zip Code12233

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 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 determining completeness 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. As a new office and function in a highly technical and emerging field, the Deputy Counsel will be engaged in activities with a high complexity. The Deputy Counsel may supervise other attorneys and assist in processing, analyzing on 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.

The Deputy Counsel acts for the ORES Counsel in his/her absence or unavailability. In this capacity, the incumbent is responsible for the following duties when acting in the capacity of Counsel:

• 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 appropriate State agency staffs.
• Explain ORES 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 and Executive Deputy Director.
• Appear for and on behalf of ORES in administrative and legal proceedings, assist in preparation of direct testimony, provide coaching for witnesses (testimony and 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.
• Direct the drafting of agreements and contracts and ensure they contain appropriate protections.

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 Heidi Hicks

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 ApplyingPlease submit cover letter and resume.
Salary will commensurate with education and experience.
Appointment is temporary pending finalization of classification in the exempt class.