PUC Jobs Board

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 3, Grade 27, will work in the Generation Section of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) and will play a critical role in the siting, permitting, and compliance of large-scale renewable energy facilities and transmission lines in New York State. The selected candidate will lead the review of applications for the siting of major renewable energy facilities and major electrical transmission lines, focusing on impacts on agriculture and on compliance with local laws and regulations. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Overseeing the siting application review and compliance enforcement work of lower-level professionals and developing and implementing strategies to address major siting issues or answering needs to prevent or control specific siting issues.
• Participating in and directing staff participation in, multi-disciplinary review teams to evaluate complex siting applications and proposing conditions, with a focus on agricultural impact and compliance with substantive local laws.
• Participating in meetings with consultants, applicants, and other Agency staff as appropriate to achieve a thorough and complete review.
• Preparing detailed investigation reports that contain analyses and interpretations of findings and recommends possible courses of action.
• Developing and conducting technical training and attending workshops and seminars to coordinate and disseminate information to industry and public officials, as well as the general public.
• Representing the Agency’s decisions and analysis at administrative appeals.
• Utilizing advanced expertise to perform the most technically complex aspects of application review and compliance enforcement work related to agricultural impact and local law compliance.
• Reviewing aspects of applications and compliance matters that are novel and unprecedented, with a particular focus on agricultural impact and local law compliance, and recommending new policies and standards as needed.
• Supervising lower-level Renewable Energy Siting Specialists, including those specializing in agriculture and local law reviews, by determining staff priorities, reviewing work for accuracy and completeness, training and orienting staff, providing necessary interpretation, advice and guidance, and providing technical assistance.
• Working on related special projects and additional relevant duties as assigned.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications General Public
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and five years of experience*, including at least one year of supervisory experience**, in environmental impact review or study of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, or renewable energy projects such as solar and wind; development or analysis of land use policies for electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, or renewable energy projects; or specialized experience*** related to energy transmission or production facilities.

*Substitution: A master’s degree may substitute for one year of non-supervisory experience. A Ph.D. may substitute for two years of non-supervisory experience.
**Supervisory experience includes the full responsibility for the supervision of subordinate professional employees in the performance of the qualifying work, including assignment of tasks, employee training and development, and evaluation of their performance and time and attendance.
*** Specialized experience must be in fields such as agriculture, anthropology, archeology, architecture, avian sciences, botany, civil/construction engineering, climate change, electrical power systems engineering, energy planning, environmental compliance, environmental engineering, environmental justice, fire protection, geography, geology, geotechnical engineering, hydrology, landscape architecture, mining engineering, noise/acoustics engineering, planning, real estate, seismology, socio-economics, terrestrial ecology, transportation/highway engineering, urban affairs.

Preferred candidates would have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in planning, agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, public administration, law, or similar subject area; experience interpreting, reviewing, or enforcing municipal land use laws and regulations; knowledge of the concepts and practices related to co-location of agriculture and renewable energy; exceptional verbal and written communication skills; effective problem-solving abilities; ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities; and strong leadership and supervisory skills.

Transfer
Must be a current New York State Department of Public Service employee with one year or more of permanent, competitive service as a Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 3, Grade 27.

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.

Additional Comments:

This position will require at least 15% travel which requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

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.