Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
TitleDeputy Director - Consumer Advocacy, NS-M6
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $147758 to $185851 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and nine years of relevant progressively responsible experience*, including at a policy making level, in the areas of consumer protection advocacy, consumer assistance, consumer policy analysis, consumer complaint resolution, and/or consumer engagement with a regulatory or governmental agency; in the utility industry, including energy, telecommunications, water, or cable services; or in other regulated industries. This experience must include at least four years in a managerial** capacity.
.
Preferred qualifications include experience in the field of utility services or regulation, strong oral and written communications skills; exceptional analytical and mathematical skills; and an advanced degree.
* Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or an associate’s degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized non-managerial experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized non-managerial experience.
** Managerial experience includes having responsibility for determining and prioritizing the workload of a unit or section, the management of subordinate professional employee supervisors, including assignment of tasks, employee training and development, evaluation of their performance and time and attendance, making recommendations on hiring and other human resource actions, and participating in long-range planning for the program.
Duties Description Under the general supervision of the Director of the Office of Consumer Services (OCS), the Deputy Director for Consumer Advocacy will be responsible for the management, administration, and coordination of the work of the Consumer Advocacy Section of OCS. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Overseeing staff responsible for advocating on behalf of residential and business customer interests in utility rate cases and other Public Service Commission (PSC) proceedings; conducting outreach events and public statement hearings; establishing policies related to retail access, submetering, metering, etc.; analyzing utility proposals, petitions and proceedings and the positions and interests of other parties; developing staff’s proposals to address consumer advocacy issues presented in a proceeding; preparing expert testimony in litigated proceedings; negotiating multi-party agreements on issues; and participating on staff teams to prepare joint proposals, statements in support, briefs, and PSC session memoranda.
• Overseeing the development of utility programs to promote affordability of essential services for low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers, monitoring utility LMI program operations and performance, promoting residential consumer access to essential services, and other opportunities for mass market customers, particularly low-income customers and customers with special needs, achieve the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
• Maintaining expertise in the PSC’s residential consumer protections rules and related PSC Orders and of current matters from a broad policy perspective related to all major aspects of the energy and telecommunications industries, market structure, and the full range of regulatory issues before the PSC.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with utilities and with non-utility providers of services to utility customers, including the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA), New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), local community action agencies, energy services companies, and trade associations.
• Responding to complex inquiries and complaints regarding utility services to customers.
• Maintaining full knowledge of current matters from a broad policy perspective related to all major aspects of the energy and telecommunications industries, market structure, and the full range of regulatory issues both nationally and those before the PSC.
• Representing the Director at Department management meetings and in meetings with utilities and other public agencies. Applying first class interpersonal and communication skills and working collaboratively with Department Directors and Executive Staff.
• Assisting the Director with the coordination of work within the Office and with other offices in the Department. Making assignments to staff and providing the tools, resources, and guidance to enable staff to perform at a high level, ensuring quality control, and ensuring office policies and procedures are followed.
• Helping ensure OCS staff is well prepared to participate in meetings, hearings, negotiations collaboratives, and public meetings. Fostering a professional environment conducive to teamwork and mutual respect. Resolving interoffice disputes over policy positions and/or proposed adjustment.
Additional Comments 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 $3,087. 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.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.