The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Assistant Counsel, NS-25, will work in the Energy Generation and Transmission Section of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on cutting-edge legal issues related to the implementation of the State’s climate law, including the siting of transmission and renewable energy facilities and related policies. Under the direction of a supervising attorney, duties would include but are not limited to:
• Maintaining proficiency in applicable laws, regulations, and orders related to large scale electric generation, electric storage, and electric transmission facilities.
• Analyzing applications and petitions on matters requiring action by the Department, Siting Board, or Commission, including the siting of major transmission and generation facilities, policies related to clean energy (e.g., renewable energy, distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency and electric vehicle charging stations), and requests for rate increases.
• Assisting technical staff in the review of major electric generation and transmission facility applications for determining completeness in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Consulting with appropriate State agency staff, including in the Department’s Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES), regarding permitting decisions.
• Preparing, editing, and reviewing various legal documents including siting permits, public comments and responses thereto, legal briefs, proposals, and statements in support.
• Publishing draft siting permits and conditions for comment, assessing comments received on applications, and drafting written summaries of and responses to comments.
• Explaining siting policies and objectives to the general public.
• Participating in proceedings and appearing for and on behalf of DPS in administrative and adjudicatory proceedings, preparing legal memoranda, motions, opening statements and summations, reviewing evidence, examining witnesses, and preparing appeals.
• Assisting DPS Staff in the preparation of direct testimony and for cross-examination and conducting cross-examination of opposing witnesses in adjudicatory proceedings.
• Consulting with parties to the proceedings and where appropriate, negotiating stipulations of settlement.
• Recommending changes to or proposing new DPS rules, regulations, and policies.
• Conducting research and preparing memoranda on legal issues related to matters before the Commission including, without limitation, consumer protection matters.
• Providing legal advice to other divisions within the Department and assisting other practice groups as needed by managers and General Counsel.
• Taking responsibility for drafting clear, accurate, and persuasive written documents and providing clear oral advocacy, presentations, and briefings.
The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Law degree and two years of experience as an attorney. Must be admitted to the New York State Bar.
Additional comments regarding the vacancy. Additional Comments About the Department:
The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS or Department) works to: ensure safe, affordable, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, water, and telecommunications services at just and reasonable rates for New York State customers, protect the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions via transmission and siting of renewable energy resources, and augment the resiliency of utility infrastructure.
Remarks:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY, with at least 10% travel. 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.
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 https://dps.ny.gov.
Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.
