Coastal Energy Facility Review Specialist - Albany, NY

Coastal Energy Facility Review Specialist - Albany, NY New York State Department of State - 4.3 Albany, NY Job Details Full-time $75,000 - $80,000 a year 1 day ago Benefits Paid holidays Health insurance Dental insurance Paid time off Vision insurance Retirement plan Qualifications Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access Analysis skills Driver's License Bachelor's degree Full Job Description Organizational Backgrounds The Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) is a New York State (NYS) public benefit corporation. Established in 1968, the NHT's mission is to receive and administer gifts, grants and other funds to further public programs for parks, conservation and historic preservation purposes of the State of New York. The NHT is governed by a four-member Board of Directors comprised of the Commissioner of the Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the Chair of the State Council of Parks, the Commissioner of the Department of Environmental Conservation, and the Secretary of State. The Department of State (DOS) is an NYS agency that plays a critical role in helping to reinvigorate the NYS economy and make its communities more livable. The Department's divisions, committees and commissions provide a vast array of services. to serve as a vehicle to make New York State's communities more resilient and progressive to improve the lives of its residents. DOS administers the State's Coastal Management Program (CMP) to promote the wise use and protection of New York's rich and diverse coastal resources and to provide opportunities to use and enjoy its waters, coastal lands, and amenities. DOS also has the distinction of being one of the only State agencies with review authority over activities in federal waters that affect New York State, including offshore wind siting and development. The selected candidate for this position will be an employee of the NHT with work conducted under the supervision of DOS Consistency Review Unit. Description of Duties The Coastal Energy Facility Review Specialist implements the work of the Consistency Review Unit. The Coastal Energy Facility Review Specialist will work at DOS's Albany, Buffalo or Utica office and will be assigned to the Office of Planning, Development & Community Infrastructure (OPDCI). The individual will review project proposals and recommend regulatory decisions regarding siting of facilities affecting land and water uses, natural resources, and State coastal policies in or affecting New York's coastal area, particularly those projects involving energy generation or transmission. Proposed facilities, and activities associated with them, are reviewed for their consistency with the policies of the CMP and approved Local Waterfront Revitalization Programs (LWRPs). The individual will receive training in the provisions of the federal Coastal Zone Management Act, the New York State Waterfront Act, and their implementing regulations, the CMP and the interpretation and application of CMP policies and objectives in coastal consistency review and decision-making. The ideal candidate possesses the technical expertise and enthusiasm to manage a portfolio of high-profile energy project reviews.

Specific Duties:

• Coordinate project reviews and evaluate the effects and consistency of proposed facilities with State coastal policies, particularly energy facilities requiring federal agency authorizations or involving financial assistance from federal agencies, propose project modifications and prepare recommendations for coastal consistency decisions.
• Monitor and evaluate proposed state agency actions in the coastal area and advise those agencies of State coastal policy issues and consistency requirements, particularly projects related to energy generation or transmission.
• Assess the completeness of applications to ensure they include all information necessary to assess the effects of proposed facilities on coastal resources and uses and State coastal policies.
• Communicate with applicants and federal agencies through written correspondence and other communications.
• Provide coastal policy and procedure advice to applicants and other government agencies to ensure activities are consistent with State coastal policies.
• Prepare decision records, memoranda, summary and special reports and conclusions, and recommend decisions regarding whether the proposed facilities would be consistent with, would advance, or are inconsistent with the State coastal policies.
• Review and analyze energy law, regulation, and policy as it pertains to coastal zone management.
• Travel to coastal areas in New York to attend meetings and conduct site visits and evaluations of proposed facilities.
• Participate in Article VII and 10 (NYS Public Service Law) proceedings.

Travel to coastal areas in New York to attend meetings and conduct site visits and evaluations of proposed facilities is required. The amount of travel could range from 10% to 20% of the time during any month.

Qualifications Required:

A Bachelor's degree in marine sciences, coastal resource management, urban or regional planning, environmental science, geology, geography, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resources, environmental or resource management law, environmental engineering, civil engineering, or a closely related field, and two years of full-time work experience in:

• Major infrastructure/facility planning, siting, routing, and construction or;
• The authorization, approval of major infrastructure/facilities or;
• Routing, construction of energy generation or transmission infrastructure or;
• Renewable energy strategy and planning.

A Master's degree in any of the areas as noted above may substitute for one year of the required experience. You must also possess, and maintain, a valid New York State driver's license or otherwise demonstrate your capacity to meet the transportation needs of the job. This requirement must be met at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter.

Preferred:

• Demonstrated experience/knowledge of Major infrastructure/facility siting, routing, and regulation; Management of coastal resources and uses; and, understanding of local State, and federal regulatory and other decision-making authorities and processes (knowledge of federal and state energy policy, the Coastal Zone Management Act, NEPA and SEQRA is also desirable).
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, and exercise sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to build cooperation and consensus among groups with diverse interests.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.
• Demonstrated analytical and conceptual skills.
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to prioritize.
• Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated conflict resolution skills.
• Demonstrated judgment and discretion in matters of confidentiality.
• Proficiency in PC applications such as Outlook, Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint.

Additional Comments NHT is committed to building and encouraging an inclusive workplace that strives for respect and promotes and values diversity. We believe that organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, and perspective, or any other trait that makes an individual unique, are proven to be better organizations. Please consider joining the team as we work together to build a welcoming workplace where employees recognize their unique characteristics, skills, and experiences are respected, valued, and celebrated. To support our employees, NHT provides a generous benefits package similar to what is offered to New York State employees. Our total compensation package includes, but is not limited to, leave benefits (14 paid holidays as well as paid vacation, sick, and personal leave); a comprehensive health insurance program including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision plans; and membership in the NYS Employees Retirement System. Additionally, employees may be eligible for partial remote work schedules. Applicants must submit their resume through Indeed by COB, March 24, 2023. It is the policy of the State of New York and NHT to provide for and promote equal opportunity employment, compensation, and other terms and conditions of employment without unlawful discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, disability, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, veteran or military service, member status, marital status, domestic violence victim status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, arrest and/or criminal conviction record, or any other category protected by law, unless based upon a bona fide occupational qualification or other exception. The NHT is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide their current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988.

Job Type:

Full-time Pay:

$75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Dental insurance Health insurance Paid time off Retirement plan Vision insurance

Work Location:

In person