Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1/Trainee

Southern Arkansas University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Arkansas University is seeking a Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1 to work on the Field Compliance Team within the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission in New York. This role requires strong organizational, writing, and communication skills along with extensive knowledge in the environmental impact review process.

Successful candidates must have significant experience in renewable energy projects and will be involved in monitoring construction activities, reviewing applications, and participating in technical training.

Qualifications

• Four to six years of professional experience in environmental impact review.
• Specialized experience in renewable energy projects or related fields.
• Preferred experience in renewable energy siting and development.

Responsibilities

• Monitor construction activities and ensure compliance with regulations.
• Review siting applications and documentation for consistency.
• Provide technical assistance to various stakeholders.
• Conduct assessments and prepare written reports.

Skills

Organizational skills

Writing skills

Communication skills

Technical analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

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Minimum Qualifications

General Public

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist Trainee 1, you must have four years of professional experience (see below substitutions) in environmental impact review or study of electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, or renewable energy projects such as solar and wind; development or analysis of land use policies for electricity, gas, water, telecommunications, or renewable energy projects; or specialized experience related to energy transmission or production facilities.

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist Trainee 2, you must have five years of professional experience (see below substitutions) as stated above.

For appointment to Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18, you must have six years of professional experience (see below substitutions) as stated above.

Substitution: an associate degree may substitute for two years of experience; a bachelor’s degree may substitute for four years of experience; a master’s degree may substitute for five years of experience; a J.D. may substitute for six years of experience.

Specialized experience must be in fields such as agriculture, anthropology, archeology, architecture, avian sciences, botany, civil/construction engineering, climate change, electrical power systems engineering, energy planning, environmental compliance, environmental engineering, environmental justice, fire protection, geography, geology, geotechnical engineering, hydrology, landscape architecture, mining engineering, noise/acoustics engineering, planning, real estate, seismology, socio-economics, terrestrial ecology, transportation/highway engineering, or urban affairs.

Preferred candidates would have educational backgrounds and/or professional experience in forestry, agricultural and natural resources, and/or stormwater management. Preferred candidates would have professional experience related to renewable energy and/or transmission siting and development, or a background in a regulatory role. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, writing, and communication skills.

Transfer

Must be a current New York State Department of Public Service employee with one year or more of permanent, competitive service as a Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18.

Duties Description

The Renewable Energy Siting Specialist 1, Grade 18, will work on the Field Compliance Team within the Transmission Section of the Office of Renewable Energy Siting and Electric Transmission (ORES) and will perform duties related to the siting of renewable energy and energy transmission facilities. Specific duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Monitoring construction activities and compliance enforcement with certificate conditions, siting applications, and other relevant plans for major renewable energy and electric transmission facilities across New York State.
• Reviewing siting applications, compliance filings, and supporting documentation to ensure consistency with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Performing desktop analysis and field reviews on environmental, land use, and construction feasibility issues for large-scale renewable energy and electric/gas transmission projects.
• Making recommendations concerning courses of action necessary to issue siting application permits consistent with applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• Providing technical assistance and information to consultants, public officials, and facility managers.
• Preparing original writing of complex scientific and technical information.
• Participating in meetings and corresponding with other state and federal agencies, developers, utilities, local governments, and communities of a proposed project to discuss concerns and gather feedback.
• Gathering data, analyzing application materials, and preparing written reports to recommend further action.
• Developing and presenting siting application conditions, administrative proceedings, briefs, and comments, and drafting findings.
• Conducting on-site and remote assessments as part of application reviews and compliance periods during construction and operations.
• Responding to public comments and participating in internal and multi-party meetings, conferences, public outreach events, and hearings.
• Developing and performing technical training and attending workshops and seminars to coordinate and disseminate information to industry and public officials, as well as the general public.
• Preparing for and attending adjudicatory hearings.
• Developing and maintaining environmental data information systems and performing analysis of data.
• Working on related special projects and additional relevant duties as assigned.