Assistant Director - DPU Siting Division

Who We Are:

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts’ environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.

Who We Are as an Employer:

At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.

DPU:

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is the state agency responsible for overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. It regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, transportation network companies, and oversees the safety of natural gas pipelines and the MBTA.

Job Description:

As the Assistant Director, you will be a key member of the Siting Division leading interdisciplinary project teams that review the siting of proposed major energy facilities. These include: clean energy infrastructure facilities (such as renewable electric generating facilities, energy storage, and electric transmission lines and substations); and legacy energy facilities (such as intrastate natural gas pipelines; fossil-fueled electric generating facilities, and large LNG storage facilities). The Assistant Director plays an important role by directing the work and priorities of technical staff, overseeing the review and analysis of energy project proposals, attending public hearings, directing and reviewing sections of agency decisions, and advising agency staff and EFSB members.

For clean energy infrastructure facilities, the Siting Division will review and prepare decisions for consolidated permits, which comprise permits and approvals that are normally issued by other state, regional, and local agencies. Siting Division reviews include evaluation of need for the project, alternative project options (such as energy efficiency, advanced transmission technologies, and distributed energy resources), environmental impacts and mitigation measures, cumulative impact analysis, public health and climate impacts, cost-effectiveness, and consistency with state energy/environmental policies, statutes, and regulations. EFSB siting authority also includes construction permits for fossil fuel facilities, exemption from local zoning, eminent domain for needed energy facilities, and other matters. If you are ready to leverage your expertise and passion for public service to help the Commonwealth advance its clean energy future, the Assistant Director role is an ideal next step in your energy/environmental career!

The Assistant Director will lead in key siting and permitting decisions that advance clean and renewable energy projects, which are central to the Commonwealth’s climate goals, recently accelerated by the 2024 Climate Act. The Assistant Director role will challenge you in a fast-paced, dynamic but collegial environment.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application.

Your essential job duties will include (these are not all-inclusive):

• Assisting the Director in managing the Siting Division, both in overseeing and developing case work products, and in training and supervising technical staff
• Developing a detailed understanding of the facts involved in EFSB matters, relevant policies and precedents, and their significance to the decision-making process.
• Managing multiple tasks and priorities, while helping to ensure that the Siting Division meets case schedules
• Advising members of the Siting Division and senior government officials on engineering and technical matters relevant to energy facilities siting policy and decision-making
• Reviewing technical aspects of energy facilities project proposals; advising on the completeness of applications; identifying areas for further technical inquiry
• Analyzing the need for technical regulations and the development of technical policy
• Conferring with local, state and federal government agencies to gather data and exchange information regarding the regulation of energy facilities
• Representing the agency before legislative bodies, boards, commissions, committees, or federal or state agencies
• Identifying issues in need of exploration during the proceeding, and developing potential solutions and recommended findings
• Conducting site visits of proposed facility locations and demonstrating effective technical understanding of project designs, plans, construction methods, engineering, and potential impacts
• Developing subject matter expertise on cases, special projects, and ongoing Division initiatives
• Advising agency staff, and EFSB members on pending cases and other matters with solid understanding, creative solutions, and sound judgment
• Developing tools to improve Division efficiency and catalog institutional knowledge
• Empowering and developing abilities of staff

The successful candidate will have:

• Strong skills and experience in management
• Effective motivational skills and be able to work collaboratively and productively with others as part of interdisciplinary case teams
• Strong, demonstrated background in energy infrastructure projects and/or environmental review of large infrastructure
• Demonstrated knowledge of energy project technologies, energy project design, construction impacts, and operations of energy facilities
• Strong project management skills, including planning and supervising work products
• Strong editing and reviewing skills to develop clear and effective written work products and provide helpful feedback to staff
• Ability to provide substantive procedural direction on assigned cases
• Strong analytical skills and judgment, and an inquisitive approach
• Demonstrated excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to synthesize disparate information and communicate that information succinctly and clearly
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of interdisciplinary case teams
• Ability to manage time effectively, and work in a productive, organized, and methodical way
• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid remote work setting with certain required in-office days

Who we are:

Agency Overview

The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) is an independent state board that reviews proposed clean energy infrastructure facilities (such as renewable electric generating facilities, energy storage, and electric transmission lines and substations); and legacy energy facilities (such as intrastate natural gas pipelines; fossil-fueled electric generating facilities, and large LNG storage facilities). The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) administratively supports the work of the EFSB and its staff, but the eleven-member EFSB makes its decisions independently.

The DPU is responsible for oversight of electric, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth.

For further information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/energy-facilities-siting-board.

Division Overview

The Siting Division of the DPU is a diverse team of planners, engineers, economists, lawyers, and environmental specialists that reviews major energy facility proposals requiring EFSB regulatory approvals. Our mission is to ensure that approved projects are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, and serve the public interest. The work of the Siting Division takes place in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, with significant technological, regulatory, and market changes, and a growing emphasis on both mitigating and adapting to climate change, while maintaining reliable, safe, and cost-effective energy supplies vital to the Massachusetts economy. The projects we review are at the forefront of important energy, environmental, and technological trends that are transforming energy infrastructure in Massachusetts.

For further information, please visit: https://www.mass.gov/energy-facilities-siting-board.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!