Duties Description The Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18, will work on the Local Laws and Agriculture team within the Generation Section of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) and will perform duties related to the process of review applications for 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:
• Reviewing siting applications, compliance filings, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Making recommendations concerning courses of action necessary to issue siting application permits consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations, including the need for waivers from local laws that may be overly burdensome on a proposed project.
• Providing technical assistance and information related to local law compliance and agricultural issues to applicants and consultants.
• Participating in meetings and corresponding with other state and federal agencies, developers, utilities, and local governments to discuss concerns and gather feedback.
• Gathering data, analyzing application materials, evaluating requests from applicants for waivers, and preparing written reports to recommend further action.
• Developing and presenting siting permit conditions and local law waivers, administrative proceedings, briefs, comments, and drafting findings.
• Responding to public comments and participating in internal and multi-party meetings, conferences, public outreach events, and hearings.
• Preparing for and attending adjudicatory hearings.
• Working on related special projects and additional relevant duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications General Public
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree and two years of 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.

** 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 specialized experience or education in one or more of the following: zoning and other local laws and regulations related to land use and siting, agriculture - including co-location of agriculture and renewable energy, and municipal and regional planning. Additional preferred qualifications include excellent written and verbal communication skills, GIS capabilities, and experience with regulatory affairs.

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 1, Grade 18.

Additional Comments 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.

Some positions may require additional credentials or a background check to verify your identity.

Name Human Resources Management - CG

Telephone

Fax (518) 473-9990

Email Address recruiting@dps.ny.gov

Address

Street 3 Empire State Plaza

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12223

Notes on Applying Please send a resume, cover letter, and proof of meeting the minimum qualifications to recruiting@dps.ny.gov or fax to Human Resources Management at (518)473-9990. Please reference "Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, L&A, ALB, posting 18076" when applying.