General Counsel & Secretary

As a leader in advancing New York’s energy transition, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) has remained a credible, objective and trusted partner in our State’s energy planning as well as deploying new and innovative technologies to expand New York’s economy. NYSERDA has worked for the past 50 years to protect the environment and help New Yorkers increase energy efficiency, lower energy costs and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. NYSERDA engages with stakeholders including residents, business owners, developers, community leaders, local government officials, universities, utilities, investors, entrepreneurs, and more, to develop, invest, and foster conditions that:

• Attract the private sector capital investment needed to expand New York’s clean energy economy.
• Overcome barriers to using clean energy at a large-scale in New York.
• Enable New York’s communities and residents to benefit equitably in the clean energy transition.

Job Overview

NYSERDA is seeking a General Counsel and Secretary to lead and administer legal advice in all matters affecting the Authority; working at the highest levels of government on regulatory, policy, legislative, litigation, contract, and administrative matters. The General Counsel and Secretary is the chief legal advisor to the President and CEO, the Officers and Executive Team, the Authority’s Board, and the Authority in general. The General Counsel and Secretary is also the primary interface between NYSERDA and the Office of the Governor's Counsel and ensures that the NYSERDA’s legal work is coordinated with that of other State entities. This position reports directly to the President and CEO and serves as an Officer of the authority as designated in the Authority’s by-laws. This position reports directly to the President and CEO as a NYSERDA Officer (a position officially codified by the NYSERDA Board), and a member of NYSERDA’s Executive Team.

The ideal candidate should have experience in the New York State energy markets and/or regulatory matters related to New York State electric utilities and should be committed to NYSERDA’s mission and to helping the organization continually improve and execute on its work. The attorney should be a self-starter who acts independently, is eager to manage a team of attorneys, directs one’s own work, and can handle diverse tasks quickly and accurately within a high-pressure environment.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Act as the chief legal advisor and general counselor to the President and CEO, the Officers and Executive Team, the Authority’s Board, and the Authority in general.
• Along with the Authority's other Officers, provide general management of the Authority, including the development of policies and procedures related to operations and program design.
• As Secretary to the Authority, coordinate and manage all matters related to meetings of the Authority’s Board of Directors and communications with Board Members related to such matters.
• Act as the primary interface between NYSERDA and the Office of the Governor's Counsel and ensures that NYSERDA’s legal work is coordinated with that of other State entities.
• Along with NYSERDA’s Government Affairs Team, oversee the consideration and drafting of legislation affecting the Authority's programs or NYS energy policy, generally.
• Act as Counsel to New York’s State Energy Planning Board and Co-Counsel to the Climate Action Council
• Set the policy direction, general oversight and performance of Counsel’s Office.
• Work closely with the attorneys in the Counsel’s Office and NY Green Bank on a range of matters to ensure coordination among attorneys and with respect to the NYSERDA programs they advise.
• Ensure that all NYSERDA processes are carried out in conformance with applicable laws.
• Drive projects forward by gathering and effectively organizing required information, communicating effectively and professionally with internal and external stakeholders, developing and monitoring plans, and keeping track of responsibilities and commitments of the team members.
• Deal with a broad range of confidential and sensitive matters.
• Perform all managerial and supervisory responsibilities with respect, fairness, consistency, and inclusion across the workforce.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application and for the duration of their employment.
• Must be New York State residents for the duration of their employment.
• A Juris Doctor from an accredited law school and either a license to practice law in New York State or ability to make an application for such license.
• At least fifteen years of experience in at least one of the following areas including seven years in a supervisory role:
  • Energy and energy efficiency regulatory, finance and legal affairs;
  • Complex regulatory proceedings involving energy- and environment-related matters;
  • Business organization and corporate law;
  • Government contracting involving sophisticated technologies and energy-related initiatives; or
  • Legislative and related New York State public authority legal and oversight matters.
• A genuine passion for issues related to energy and environment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to effectively present and execute innovative ideas.
• Strong organizational and analytical skills; ability to quickly aggregate and analyze information.
• Proven ability to build trust, confidence, respect, and effective working relationships among individuals at all levels of the organization and with stakeholders and business partners.
• Able to handle stressful situations with measured calmness and decisiveness.

Please submit two files, one for your cover letter and another for a resume.

For further information on our hiring policies, employment opportunities for people with disabilities and EEO please click here Policies.

Please note that during the application process, you may be prompted to opt-in to Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) scoring. This is an automatic request in the ADP system but is not a feature that is used by NYSERDA in its recruiting and hiring process. Your response will have no impact on your application to NYSERDA.

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