Renewable Energy Siting Specialist Trainee*, NS or Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1

The Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18, will work on the Field Compliance Team within the Transmission Section of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) and will perform duties related to the siting of renewable energy and energy transmission facilities. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitoring construction activities and compliance enforcement with certificate conditions, siting applications, and other relevant plans for major renewable energy and electric transmission facilities across New York State.
• Reviewing siting applications, compliance filings, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Performing desktop analysis and field reviews on environmental, land use, and construction feasibility issues for large-scale renewable energy and electric/gas transmission projects.
• Making recommendations concerning courses of action necessary to issue siting application permits consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Providing technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers.
• Preparing original writing of complex scientific and technical information.
• Participating in meetings and corresponding with other state and federal agencies, developers, utilities, local governments, and communities of a proposed project to discuss concerns and gather feedback.
• Gathering data, analyzing application materials, and preparing written reports to recommend further action.
• Developing and presenting siting application conditions, administrative proceedings, briefs, and comments, and drafting findings.
• Conducting on-site and remote assessments as part of application reviews and compliance periods during construction and operations.
• Responding to public comments and participating in internal and multi-party meetings, conferences, public outreach events, and hearings.
• Developing and performing technical training and attending workshops and seminars to coordinate and disseminate information to industry and public officials, as well as the general public.
• Preparing for and attending adjudicatory hearings.
• Developing and maintaining environmental data information systems and performing analysis of data.
• Working on related special projects and additional relevant duties as assigned.
• Monitoring construction activities and compliance enforcement with certificate conditions, siting applications, and other relevant plans for major renewable energy and electric transmission facilities across New York State.
• Reviewing siting applications, compliance filings, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Performing desktop analysis and field reviews on environmental, land use, and construction feasibility issues for large-scale renewable energy and electric/gas transmission projects.
• Making recommendations concerning courses of action necessary to issue siting application permits consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Providing technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers.
• Preparing original writing of complex scientific and technical information.
• Participating in meetings and corresponding with other state and federal agencies, developers, utilities, local governments, and communities of a proposed project to discuss concerns and gather feedback.
• Gathering data, analyzing application materials, and preparing written reports to recommend further action.
• Developing and presenting siting application conditions, administrative proceedings, briefs, and comments, and drafting findings.
• Conducting on-site and remote assessments as part of application reviews and compliance periods during construction and operations.
• Responding to public comments and participating in internal and multi-party meetings, conferences, public outreach events, and hearings.
• Developing and performing technical training and attending workshops and seminars to coordinate and disseminate information to industry and public officials, as well as the general public.
• Preparing for and attending adjudicatory hearings.
• Developing and maintaining environmental data information systems and performing analysis of data.
• Working on related special projects and additional relevant duties as assigned.
• 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.
• Providing technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers.
• Preparing original writing of complex scientific and technical information.
• Participating in meetings with consultants, project applicants, and other agency staff to address missing information or to clarify information submitted.
• Gathering data, analyzing application materials, and preparing written reports to recommend further action.
• Developing and presenting siting application conditions, administrative proceedings, briefs, comments, and draft findings.
• Conducting on-site field inspections and remote assessments as part of application review and compliance enforcement during the active construction, operations, and decommissioning phases of the project.
• Responding to public comments and participating in internal and multi-party meetings, conferences, public outreach events, and hearings.
• Preparing for and attending adjudicatory hearings.
• Developing and maintaining environmental data information systems and performing analyses of data.
• Special projects and additional relevant duties assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

General Public

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist Trainee 1, you must have four years of professional experience (see below substitutions) 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.

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist Trainee 2, you must have five years of professional experience (see below substitutions) as stated above.

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18, you must have six years of professional experience (see below substitutions) as stated above.

Substitution: an associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; a J.D. may substitute for six years of 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, or urban affairs.

Preferred candidates would have field compliance experience related to renewable energy and/or transmission development, or a background in a regulatory role. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, writing, and communication 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 1, Grade 18.

Additional Information

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.

Additional Comments:

*Successful completion of the two-year traineeship leads to appointment as a Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade

18.

This position will require at least 70% travel which requires possession of a valid driver’s license.

The above salary reflects the position’s full compensation range.

Appointment may be made at the Trainee 1, Trainee 2, or full-performance level, with the starting salary corresponding to the level at which the candidate is appointed.

If the position is filled in the New York City location, the salary range above would increase by the

Downstate Adjustment of $4,150.

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.