Position Information

NY HELPNo

AgencyPublic Service, Department of

TitleConsumer Advocate

Occupational CategoryAdministrative or General Management

Salary GradeNS

Bargaining UnitM/C - Management / Confidential (Unrepresented)

Salary RangeFrom $0 to $0 Annually

Employment Type Full-Time

Appointment Type Permanent

Jurisdictional Class Exempt Class

Travel Percentage 10%

Schedule

Workweek Mon-Fri

Hours Per Week 37.5

Workday

From 8:30 AM

To 5 PM

Flextime allowed? No

Mandatory overtime? No

Compressed workweek allowed? No

Telecommuting allowed? No

Location

County To Be Determined

Street Address To Be Determined

City Albany Office or New York City Office

StateNY

Zip Code12223

Job Specifics

Minimum Qualifications Qualified candidates will possess a Master’s Degree or higher in a relevant subject area. While there is a preference for candidates to have an understanding of the energy, water, and telecommunications industries, along with consumer advocacy experience, consideration will be given to candidates with engineering, law, or business backgrounds and experience with government or public service.

Duties Description The New York State Department of Public Service is seeking a Consumer Advocate and Director of its Office of Consumer Services. This consumer advocate will serve in a senior leadership position, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Department of Public Service and Chair of the Public Service Commission. Candidates should have experience and passion for addressing consumer concerns and the ability to manage a diverse group of professional and administrative staff. This person must be a strategic and innovative thinker with a proven ability to develop complex policies, and the capability of navigating potentially controversial situations.
The candidate must be an effective speaker, presenter, and writer; a strong advocate who is able to balance competing concerns; effective at working with colleagues; and a person who exhibits sound executive judgment.
The functions to be performed include the following:
• Advocating for consumer policy matters, including low-income and special needs programs, service quality, advanced technologies including renewable and energy efficiency, and other timely policy-related development.
• Representing consumer interests in regulatory proceedings and policy matters before the Commission.
• Coordinating and interacting with external entities, including those representing residential and commercial interests.
• Delivering best in class customer service, including managing a call center that assists consumers by ensuring that utilities comply with applicable consumer protection rules and regulations, and assisting utility customers during power outages.
• Actively resolving consumer complaints. Ensuring timely analysis and resolution of escalated complaints that may involve informal hearings and appeals to the Commission if the residential or business consumers are not satisfied with the initial complaint determination.

Additional Comments Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, but consideration may be given to New York City with regular travel to Albany where the majority of staff are located. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority.

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

Contact Information

Name Roger Halbfinger

Telephone 518-473-9463

Fax 518-473-9990

Email Address recruiting@dps.ny.gov

Address

Street Three Empire State Plaza

Human Resources Management

City Albany

State NY

Zip Code 12223

 

Notes on ApplyingTo apply, please send a completed NYS Dept. of Public Service Employment Application Part-1, which may be found on the Career Opportunities page at www.dps.ny.gov, resume and cover letter to recruiting@dps.ny.gov or to Human Resources Management at the address above.