Assistant Counsel, NS-25

New York State Department of Public Service; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York State Department of Public Service invites applications for Assistant Counsel in Albany, NY. The role focuses on cutting-edge legal issues tied to the state climate law, including siting transmission and renewable energy facilities and related policies.

A supervising attorney will guide work on regulatory matters and public proceedings. Responsibilities cover drafting and reviewing siting permits, comments, and legal briefs, plus representing DPS in administrative proceedings.

Qualifications

• Admittance to the New York State Bar and two years of legal practice after admission.
• Experience with regulatory law and administrative proceedings is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain proficiency in laws related to large scale renewable generation and transmission facilities.
• Analyze applications and petitions before the Siting Board, Commission, or EDORES on siting matters.
• Assist technical staff in reviewing major renewable energy facility or major transmission facility applications for completeness.
• Consult with State agency staff regarding permitting decisions.
• Prepare, edit, and review siting permits, public comments, briefs, and statements.
• Publish draft siting permits and assess public comments, drafting summaries and responses.
• Explain siting policies to the public and draft responses on behalf of DPS.
• Participate in proceedings, prepare memoranda, motions, and opening statements.
• Assist DPS staff with direct testimony preparation and cross-examination in adjudicatory proceedings.
• Negotiate stipulations of settlement and propose changes to DPS rules and policies.
• Conduct research and prepare memoranda on regulatory actions and economic policies.

Education

Admission to New York State Bar

Job description

Description

The Assistant Counsel, NS-25, will work in the Energy Generation and Transmission Section of the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on cutting-edge legal issues related to the implementation of the State’s climate law, including the siting of transmission and renewable energy facilities and related policies. Under the direction of a supervising attorney, duties would include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining proficiency in applicable laws related to large scale renewable generation and transmission facilities.
• Analyzing applications and petitions on matters requiring action by the Siting Board, Commission, or Executive Director of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES), including the siting of major transmission and renewable energy facilities, policies related to clean energy (e.g., renewable energy, distributed generation, energy storage, energy efficiency and electric vehicle charging stations), and requests for rate increases.
• Assisting technical staff in the review of major renewable energy facility or major transmission facility applications for determining completeness in compliance with applicable policies and regulations.
• Consulting with appropriate State agency staff regarding permitting decisions.
• Preparing, editing, and reviewing various legal documents including siting permits, public comments and responses thereto, legal briefs, proposals, and statements in support.
• Publishing draft siting permits and conditions for comment, assessing comments received on applications, and drafting written summaries of and responses to comments.
• Explaining siting policies and objectives to the public.
• Preparing, reviewing, and editing draft responses and correspondence on behalf of DPS.

Participating in proceedings and appearing for and on behalf of DPS in administrative and adjudicatory proceedings, preparing legal memoranda, motions, opening statements and summations, reviewing evidence, examining witnesses, and preparing appeals.

• Assisting DPS Staff in the preparation of direct testimony and for cross-examination and conducting cross-examination of opposing witnesses in adjudicatory proceedings.
• Consulting with parties to the proceedings and where appropriate, negotiating stipulations of settlement.
• Recommending changes to or proposing new DPS rules, regulations, and policies.
• Conducting research and preparing memoranda on legal issues related to actions of the Commission.
• Researching and interpreting complex areas of regulatory law, Commission decisions, and economic policies.
• Providing legal advice to other divisions within the Department, as needed.
• Participating in briefings.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar and two years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to Bar admission.

About The Department

Additional Comments

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.

Remarks

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY, with at least 10% travel. 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. Appointment to this position is contingent upon Division of Budget approval.

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.