Hidden Image

Assistant Director, DER & Transportation (#652) - New York City, Albany or Buffalo Office

 

New York is leading the nation in the fight on global climate change and the transition to a clean energy-powered economy. With the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act [PDF] (CLCPA), New York has codified the most aggressive climate change program in the nation with goals to produce 70% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030; reach zero carbon emissions in the electricity sector by 2040; install 9 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2035; 6 gigawatts of solar by 2025; and 3 gigawatts of energy storage by 2030. Additionally, the law creates the Climate Action Council, co-Chaired by NYSERDA, comprised of the leaders of various state agencies and authorities as well as legislative appointments to develop a plan outlining how the state will achieve an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 levels by 2050, and eventually net zero emissions in all sectors of the economy – all while delivering critical benefits to historically underserved and otherwise disadvantaged communities.

Against the backdrop of these policies and other actions taken in 2020, NYSERDA’s mission rises in importance and urgency: working to advance clean energy innovation and investments to combat climate change, improving the health, resiliency, and prosperity of New Yorkers and delivering benefits equitably to all. To effectuate this mission and make progress toward our long-term vision for New York, success for NYSERDA and New York will require bolder ambition, deeper decarbonization, swifter execution, greater emphasis on disadvantaged communities and low- and moderate-income (LMI) customers, elevated focus on green jobs and economic development, and more targeted technology/resource offerings, among other priorities. These drivers signal a need for doubling-down and executing on existing programmatic efforts, while also undertaking new activities and making new forays to accelerate the pace of progress and keep New York at the cutting edge of technological and policy innovation.

NYSERDA’s Distributed Energy Resources (DER) and Transportation team is charged with advancing these market sectors in a cost effective and responsible manner as an integrated team advancing market driven solutions to scale deployment and cost declines. The Assistant Director reports to the Vice President of DER & Transportation and will manage approximately XX team members with X direct reports. The Assistant Director will collaborate closely with NYSERDA's Vice President of Distributed Energy Resources & Transportation and supporting staff as a technical and policy lead to achieve related elements of the State’s energy and environmental goals.

Primary Responsibilities 

  • This position will provide technical, strategic and policy development leadership for NYSERDA’s Energy Storage, NY-Sun and Clean Transportation programs.
  • Impart a deep and broad base of technical and market knowledge regarding DER and clean transportation development into State deliberations in order to shape State programs in a market-sensitive manner
  • Serve as a thought leader on solar, energy storage and other DER technologies, project development, regulatory changes at Public Service Commission, New York Independent System Operator and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and project finance trends
  • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the State’s policy development efforts and work with other involved agencies and stakeholders to ensure that such efforts are advanced through a balanced and timely framework
  • Lead aspects of the State’s strategic decision making and renewable policy development and provide input regarding the impact, costs, stakeholder needs, policy alignment, and potential market impacts of such decisions
  • Collaborate and strategize with vital stakeholders across all technologies in the portfolio as well as sister agencies to work through complex market issues. Come to an agreed plan and approach and then successfully oversee and execute with successful outcomes
  • Perform other responsibilities as needed

Execution

  • Provide significant insight and innovation into the design of the storage market acceleration incentives as well as development of bundled approaches to deploying paired DER solutions
  • Identify primary barriers and stall points and translate these strategies into actionable and measurable plans working with state regulators, NYISO, local jurisdictions, utilities, developers, and stakeholders. Specific balance of system costs to reduce include customer/site acquisition, interconnection, siting/permitting and cost of capital
  • Drive projects and policies forward by gathering and effectively organizing required information, communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, developing and monitoring plans, and overseeing the responsibilities and commitments of the team members
  • Expand existing successful deployment approaches to other DER solutions and market sectors
  • Represent NYSERDA in collaborative initiatives with other NYS agencies and public and private entities and in technical conferences, public meetings and other forums
  • Demonstrate excellent presentation skills to large and small audiences and ability to understand communication sensitivities with press and ceremonial events

Strategic Leadership and Program Development

  • Help guide the State’s DER & transportation policy development, including the New York State Energy Plan, NYSERDA’s Corporate Strategy and regulatory proceedings
  • Provide formative guidance to develop intervention strategies and prioritize investments to ensure market acceptance and animation
  • Work with stakeholders such as utilities, the solar & electric vehicle market and regulators on an interconnection roadmap to create more hosting capacity for distributed solar as well as exploring new tariffs for DC fast charging
  • Engage in stakeholder interactions to ascertain market needs and inform regulatory design and represent NYSERDA's DER team through press interviews, public meetings and forums
  • Help provide guidance and perspective to the Future of Distributed Solar proceedings and play a heavy role in implementing any new programs that might be ordered by the Public Service Commission
  • Establish effective strategic partnerships with state, federal, local, and non-profit organizations to accelerate market adoption of DER solutions including Department of Public Service, NYISO, utilities, New York Power Authority, New York Battery and Energy Storage Technology consortium, New York Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Smart Grid Consortium
  • Provide objective assessment of New York State and national regulatory and legislative proposals that impact energy storage and other DER solutions

Minimum Qualifications

  • 10 years of relevant experience and a proven track record of accomplishments in DER with a minimum of 3 years’ experience in the solar industry with established relationships with solar and storage market players, New York regulators and utilities
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Highest level of communication and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives and recommendations
  • Demonstrated experience developing and implementing policy solutions
  • Strong diplomatic and discretion skills to navigate sensitive projects and policy negotiations among executive teams with varied interests
  • Excellent presentation and interpersonal skills; the ability to communicate persuasively, concisely and unambiguously in speech and in writing

Salary

Candidates will be considered based on qualifications and experience. An excellent benefits package is offered.

To Apply

To apply, please submit one file that includes both your cover letter and resume.

Apply Now