Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
TitleChief of Utility Security
Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management
Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $0 to $0 Annually
Minimum Qualifications Candidates must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Security, Cyber Security, Emergency Management, or a related field and six years of professional experience in one or more of the following: law enforcement; security control; civil, criminal or environmental investigations; or surveillance and threat and vulnerability assessments
OR
Candidates must have an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Security, Cyber Security, Emergency Management, or a related field and eight years of professional experience in one or more of the following: law enforcement; security control; civil, criminal or environmental investigations; or surveillance and threat and vulnerability assessments.
Duties Description The Chief of Utility Security (Section Chief), will be responsible for the Office of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness (OREP), Utility Security Section. Work is performed under the leadership, general direction and guidance of the OREP Director, while maintaining the latitude for independent judgment in carrying out assignments. The Chief has direct supervisory responsibility over the Utility Security (Physical and Cyber) Section and acts as coordinator with other Department staff responding to utility security incidents. The Chief will be responsible for coordination with all utility companies in the prevention and response to physical and cyber security events. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Advising the Chair, Commissioners, and Directors concerning utility physical and cyber security issues.
• Providing daily supervision of the OREP Utility Security Section.
• Reviewing and evaluating the findings of staff in the conduct of their security audits and inspections of over 350 critical utility facilities. Communicating information of any deficiencies noted to the appropriate officials at the utility companies and formulating recommendations to them for corrective actions and security enhancements. Monitoring the progress of proposed or pending utility security upgrades, or lack thereof.
• Focusing on continuous efforts to require the deployment of modern electronic perimeter security systems at the 55 Bulk Power System electric transmission substations owned and operated by the regulated utilities in New York.
• Maintaining regular and frequent contact with the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) Critical Infrastructure Section on matters pertaining to the energy, telecommunications, and water sectors.
• Providing security and threat awareness briefings and training to government officials, business groups, and utility personnel.
• Meeting at least twice annually with the security directors of the regulated utilities to monitor the effectiveness and timeliness of security upgrades and analyze security incidents that arise.
• Reviewing rate case submissions and preparing responding testimony pertaining to security upgrades and enhancements. Tracking utility company expenditures for utility upgrades after costs for those upgrades are approved in a rate case.
• Overseeing and/or preparing testimony and testifying as an expert witness, as necessary, at hearings before the Commission, other agencies, the Legislature, and federal agencies.
The Chief will also provide guidance on high priority initiatives undertaken by the Utility Security Section as follows:
• Cyber information sharing
• Physical security upgrades for additional substations
• Article 10 siting security considerations
• Physical security site inspections and cyber audits with follow-up resolution of findings
Additional Comments Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany. 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.
The ideal candidate will have:
• Ability to provide leadership and guidance relative to physical and cyber security assessments, of critical infrastructure, in accordance with federal and state standards
• Ability to review, evaluate and/or develop actionable security policies, plans and practices
• Ability to prepare and present reports before DPS senior leadership as required and articulate recommendations for the continued enhancement of security practices.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.