Review Vacancy
AgencyPublic Service, Department of
TitleOmbudsperson for Distributed Generation Project Coordinator, NS-M4
Occupational CategoryOther Professional Careers
Bargaining UnitM/C - Managerial/Confidential (Unrepresented)
Salary RangeFrom $127507 to $160911 Annually
Duties Description The Project Coordinator, NS-M4, will function as an Ombudsperson for Distributed Generation in the Office of Energy System Planning and Performance with responsibilities for overseeing the administration of and compliance with the Public Service Commission’s (Commission) Standard Interconnection Requirements (SIR) to reduce barriers to interconnection for distributed generators (DG), distributed energy resources (DER), and energy storage systems (ESS) while maintaining electric utility system safety and reliability. Specific duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Serving as a resource to DG/DER/ESS developers by explaining interconnection requirements and offering general assistance on tariffs, billing, value of distributed energy resource (VDER) compensation, community distributed generation (CDG) rules, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) programs.
• Mediating DG/DER/ESS developer interconnection related disputes in an effort to avoid the lengthier Commission dispute resolution process.
• Serving as Co-Chair of the Interconnection Technical Working Group (ITWG) and Interconnection Policy Working Group (IPWG) which are responsible for identifying, discussing, and resolving technical and process barriers and challenges affecting the interconnection of DG/DER/ESS projects on a Statewide basis.
• Reviewing petitions regarding interconnection disputes or suggesting amendments to the SIR, and related public comments; working with staff to develop recommendations; drafting related Commission Orders and presenting at Commission sessions.
• Working in close coordination with NYSERDA, the Joint Utility ombudspersons, New York Solar Energy Industries Association (NYSEIA), and other industry representatives on a regular basis regarding DG/DER/ESS interconnection matters.
• Providing feedback and information to Department of Public Service (DPS) rate case teams on SIR related projects and proposals identified in rate case filings.
• Providing reports and information to DPS senior leadership on DG/DER/ESS interconnection matters.
• Overseeing development of and updates to electric utility hosting capacity maps.
• Maintaining SIR inventory data and regularly updating the DPS DG webpage.
• Presenting interconnection information at conferences and for other states.
Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or higher and seven years of relevant progressively responsible professional experience* with engineering, law, business backgrounds, utility services, or regulation, including at a supervisory level. Specifically, this must include strong oral and written communication skills; exceptional analytical skills; dispute resolution; and proficiency at leading teams and committees.
Preferred qualifications include experience with stakeholder forums regarding interconnection processes, or project development and construction/installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), Distributed Generation (DG), and/or Energy Storage Systems (ESS) at the residential or commercial level.
*Substitutions: four years of specialized experience or associate degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for bachelor’s degree; J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D. may substitute for two years of specialized experience.
Additional Comments About the Department:
The primary mission of the New York State Department of Public Service (Department or DPS) is to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York State’s residential and business consumers, at just and reasonable rates, while protecting the natural environment. The Department also seeks to stimulate effective competitive markets for clean, renewable, and distributed energy resources that benefit New York consumers, as well as product and service innovations.
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.