Assistant Director, Center of Excellence

As a leader in advancing New York’s energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has remained a credible, objective and trusted partner in our State’s energy planning as well as deploying new and innovative technologies to expand New York’s economy. NYSERDA has worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA engages with stakeholders including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

Job Overview

The Assistant Director for the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) Center of Excellence within Policy, Analysis, and Research (PAR) represents NYSERDA and advocates for end-users at NYISO stakeholder meetings. An integral part of this role involves managing an internal NYISO Center of Excellence team comprised of a multidisciplinary team of staff from different NYSERDA departments. In addition, this position must coordinate well with colleagues at all levels within NYSERDA and with those in similar positions at other agencies/authorities, especially staff at the Department of Public Service.

Primary Responsibilities

• Directs PAR project managers (including supervision of a director report) as well as staff from across several NYSERDA departments to efficiently participate in the governance structure of the NYISO, representing both the interests of end-use consumers and New York’s policy direction.
• Engages with NYSERDA Executive to both raise awareness of relevant NYISO issues and to seek consensus positions in support of coalition building and formal voting activities.
• Engages with NYISO staff and fellow NYISO stakeholders to either gain understanding or achieve consensus on important market issues.
• Monitors FERC related activity that could impact New York ratepayers, organizes Authority-wide positions and co-authors filings or comments to FERC on selected subject matter.
• Assists New York State energy policy decision-makers by quantitatively assessing the impact of energy, environmental and economic policies and programs on the State’s citizens, businesses and environment; and helping foster informed energy planning through the quantitative analysis of energy issues and policies.
• Supports development of the State Energy Plan, including research of a wide variety of energy topics for further analysis and inclusion in the Plan, collaboration with other topic-specific experts within NYSERDA and at other State agencies, and drafting of specific portions of the Plan and the supplemental Transmission and Distribution Study.
• Manages external contractor teams engaged in analysis on behalf of NYSERDA as well as participate in and lead teams from NYSERDA and other State agencies to advance projects.
• Serves as one of the PAR liaisons to the internal Transmission Center of Excellence.
• Provides analytical and other technical support for NYSERDA Executive functions and other Program activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.
• Strong knowledge base of:
  • fuel and electricity market structure and dynamics and energy and environmental regulatory structures.
  • clean energy, environmental and climate policy approaches and mechanisms in New York and other jurisdictions.
  • economic considerations of clean energy alternatives including environmental externalities.
  • energy system modeling tools and methods.
• Genuine passion for matters relating to energy production and use along with an interest in supporting a dynamic and talented team.
• Top-notch communications and interpersonal skills that resonate with audiences of different backgrounds; the ability to communicate persuasively, concisely and unambiguously in speech and in writing for broader audience consumption including policy decision-makers, sister agencies and third-party constituent interests such as industry, environmental organizations, consumer interests.
• Self-starter who acts independently, directs one’s own work and can handle diverse tasks quickly and accurately within a high-performance environment.
• Keen awareness of the economics, regulations, institutional and market drivers, and other factors that affect decision-making of partners and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability; resourcefulness, adaptability, and an instinct for surfacing value and pragmatic solutions.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to quickly aggregate and analyze information.
• Relentless work ethic and resolute integrity.
• Strong diplomatic and discretionary skills to navigate sensitive projects and policy negotiations among groups with varied interests.
• Ability to build productive relationships across a diverse organization.
• Bachelor's degree (preferably in engineering, economics, or mathematics) with 8 years of relevant experience including 4 years of supervisory experience. Current NYSERDA employees with 2 years of supervisory experience are also eligible to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preferred skills: Master's degree (preferably in engineering, economics, or mathematics) with 6 years of relevant experience including 4 years of supervisory experience. Current NYSERDA employees with 2 years of supervisory experience are also eligible to apply.

Salary

The salary range is $123,793 - $156,224 annually. Candidates will be considered based on qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is offered.