Careers Job Description
General Description
Position Description: NYS Solar Ombudsman - Policy
The NYSolar Smart plan is a strategic effort led by the City University of New York (CUNY) that supports Federal, State, and City solar initiatives and works in partnership with: the New York Power Authority (NYPA); New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA); municipalities around the state; and more than 30 organizations representing utility companies, installers, government agencies and industry leaders. Since 2006 CUNY has led the implementation of multiple state and federal solar grants, including efforts through DOE’s SunShot Initiative Rooftop Solar Challenge II and Solar Market Pathways, to implement solutions to lower the soft costs of installing solar across New York State. Additional projects to support group-purchasing programs, resilient solar deployment, and analyze solar potential along with grid capabilities to handle large solar installations (‘solar grid ready sites’) are already underway.
CUNY is seeking a NYS Solar Ombudsman to assist with the implementation of the NYSolar Smart projects. The successful candidate will focus on developing and implementing solar policies and procedures by working with stakeholders to develop, facilitate and implement new opportunities for streamlining the solar deployment process with a focus on reduction of non-hardware balance of systems costs.
Under the direction of the University Director for Sustainability, the Ombudsman will be responsible for providing support across all NYSolar Smart efforts. Responsibilities will include supporting NYSolar Smart and NYSolar Smart DG Hub Working Groups whose members include jurisdictions from across the state as well as NYS utility companies and other solar and resiliency stakeholders. The Working Groups, formed under Department of Energy initiatives, aim to reduce balance of system costs for solar and solar-plus-storage in NYS through grant-driven deliverables. This position will require helping to ensure coordination with changing NYS policies, as well as writing reports, completing case studies and assisting with ongoing grant writing efforts as needed.
Additional project assistance may be required as needed.
For more information on CUNY programs and past and present partnered efforts, please see: http://www.cuny.edu/about/resources/sustainability.html
Other Duties
Event/Workshop Coordination
All Ombudsmen assist in support planning and logistics for CUNY’s annual New York Solar Summit and Statewide policy support workshops for jurisdictions as well as other training workshops. Work will include writing outreach materials, coordination of speakers and panels, and logistics.
Qualifications
• Development, implementation, and analysis of energy and sustainability policy and solar programs and incentives
• Management of complex, long-term projects
• Knowledge of the solar installation processes
• Knowledge of solar project financials
• Knowledge of New York State energy policy, particularly the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) initiative
Successful applicants will have excellent writing skills, public speaking ability in both large and small settings, and project management experience. This position will require initiative and the ability to work independently as well as to collaborate with multiple stakeholders. Communication to both the general public and solar industry experts, and the ability to establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders will be required.
Two to five years experience in a relevant field is required. Graduate degree, engineering degree or law degree preferred. Applicants must be able and willing to travel across New York State.
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).
RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
Sustainable CUNY
Full Time
$60,000.00 - $70,000.00
Jun 03, 2015 (Or Until Filled)