PUC Jobs Board

The duties that the incumbent of the vacancy will be expected to perform. Duties Description The Chief of Security and Emergency Preparedness (Section Chief), NS-M5, will be responsible for the Office of Resilience, Utility Security, Nuclear Affairs & Emergency Preparedness (OREP) Security and Emergency Preparedness Section. Work is performed under the leadership, general direction and guidance of the OREP Deputy Director, while maintaining latitude for independent judgment in carrying out assignments. The Chief has direct supervisory responsibility over the Security and Emergency Preparedness Section and acts as coordinator with other Department staff responding to utility security and other emergency and department continuity incidents. The Chief will be responsible for coordination with all utility companies in the prevention and response to physical and cyber security events, along with agency and utility emergency preparedness and response. Duties include, but are not limited to:
• Providing supervision, leadership, guidance, and mentorship for both Security and Emergency Preparedness Staff.
• Advising the Directors, Deputy Directors, the Chair of the Department of Public Service, and Commissioners of the Public Service Commission (Commission) as needed, on utility physical and cyber security and emergency preparedness issues.
• Leading continuous efforts to improve, enhance, and monitor the security systems owned and operated by regulated utilities in New York State.
• Maintaining communication and coordination with regulated utility company security and emergency preparedness leadership, and with other State and Federal partners.
• Providing rate case support and supervision.
• Managing DPS OREP representation within the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Emergency Support Function (ESF) 12 – Energy – during coordination meetings and during EOC activation.
• Managing the Department’s annual review of utility emergency response plans.
• Investigating and developing recommendations related to utility performance during emergency and security events, including utility adherence to Commission approved regulations and emergency response plans.
• Managing the implementation of Commission recommendations related to utility storm response and emergency planning.
• Leading the annual review and updating of the Department Emergency Management Operations Protocol (EMOP), Emergency Plan (EP), Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and COOP Pandemic Annex, including oversight and implementation throughout the year.
• Developing security assessments, as needed, for Department and Commission public meetings, engagements, statement hearings, and session.
• Communicating clear and timely security analyses and possible safety risks to Department of Public Service Staff and Commissioners.
• Promptly and adequately addressing security threats against Department of Public Service Staff and Commissioners.

The minimum qualifications required for this vacancy. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Homeland Security, Cyber Security, Emergency and Disaster Management, and eight years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience* in one or more of the following: law enforcement; emergency management; security control; or surveillance and threat and vulnerability assessments.
Preferred candidates will have experience in a managerial or supervisory capacity.
*Substitutions: four years of the specialized experience or associate’s degree in an above listed discipline and two years of the specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; Master’s degree may substitute for one year of the specialized experience; J.D. may substitute for two years of the specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for three years of the specialized experience.

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. Learn more about DPS and how you can make a difference by checking out our video and more at: https://dps.ny.gov/employment-opportunities.

Remarks:
Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY with at least 10% travel, which may vary depending on time of year and emergency response needs. 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.