Deputy Commissioner for Air Resources, Climate Change and Energy

Deputy Commissioner for Air Resources, Climate Change, and Energy

Responsible to the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) for development and execution of programs managed by the Division of Air Resources and Office of Climate Change, as well as overseeing DEC’s participation in all energy matters, including state and federal permitting of energy infrastructure, coordination with other energy agencies, and representing the Commissioner and the DEC on energy planning processes including the development of State Energy Plans.

Among other responsibilities, the incumbent will:

· Oversee the Division of Air Resources and Office of Climate Change.

· Advise the Commissioner on federal regulatory and legislative actions regarding climate change and air quality and coordinate the development of comments on federal regulations and initiatives with other state agencies.

· In addition, the Deputy Commissioner will ensure coordination of air quality and climate change programs among DEC divisions and the other organizational units regionally and centrally.

· Direct DEC’s activities relating to the siting and permitting of energy infrastructure in New York, including pipelines, transmission lines, and power generating facilities. These activities include implementing State permitting requirements, participation in federal permitting processes, and participation in environmental reviews under State and federal environmental review laws.

· Coordinate energy policy matters with executive personnel in the State’s energy agencies and support the Commissioner’s participation on the State Energy Planning Board.

· Oversee DEC’s implementation of the Smart Growth Public Infrastructure Act and certify compliance of the Environmental Facilities Corporation with that Act.

· Serve as the Governor’s representative on the Ozone Transport Commission.

· Represent DEC in all matters relating to the multi-state Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

· Serve on the Board of the Climate Registry and the Steering Committee of the International Carbon Action Partnership and oversee the Division of Air Resource’s participation in the Northeast States for Coordinated Air and Utility Management (NESCAUM) and the National Association of Clean Air Agencies.

The Deputy Commissioner is responsible for coordinating DEC’s climate change activities and initiatives with other State agencies that have energy or land use responsibilities. These activities include bolstering the state’s resilience to the changing climate, including the implementation of the Community Risk and Resiliency Act, and coordinating actions to adapt to the changing climate with other State agencies; tracking and understanding the developing science of climate change, including advising the development of the State’s Climate Science Clearinghouse; and coordinating programs to reduce the emissions that contribute to climate change, including implementation of the Statewide Greenhouse Gas Reporting Rule, a potential future cap-and-invest program, RGGI, and efforts to transition to Zero Emission Vehicles.

The incumbent will advise the Commissioner on all matters relating to maintaining and improving the state’s air quality, including:

· development of State Implementation Plans;

· overseeing the promulgation and revision of regulations to implement those plans;

· formulating, reviewing, and recommending air quality policy;

· setting goals for air quality program development; and

· assisting in the development of legislation related to these programs.

The Deputy Commissioner will oversee the organization, administrative systems, procedures, and management practices of the Division of Air Resources and Office of Climate Change to ensure efficient program implementation. The incumbent will request and allocate fiscal and personnel resources to reflect changing program needs, priorities, and mandates.

In addition, the Deputy Commissioner will work to advance the agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion by assessing and addressing barriers and opportunities in recruitment and hiring practices and demonstrate a commitment to cultural competency.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and 10 years of experience in a field related to environmental conservation and natural resource protection. Four years of the experience must be managerial and include responsibility for implementation of program goals and objectives within the established budgets and supervision or coordination of staff to achieve specific program objectives.

Candidates are encouraged to apply if they have applicable transferrable skills not included in the minimum qualifications, but that would enable them to excel at the job requirements.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $167,754.00 - $207,762.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Shift:

• 8 hour shift

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Albany, NY 12233

Salary : $167,754 - $207,762