Director, Environmental Justice

Summary

Acts as an ambassador and point of contact with community stakeholders to advance initiatives, establish feedback loops, monitor issues and risks. Shares insights back with NYPA team and business and executive staff as necessary to manage emerging issues and manage impact to reputation, initiatives and programs.  

Implementing fully integrated, enterprise-wide plans and initiatives that prioritize community stakeholder concerns and align with NYPA’s strategic initiatives and State energy policy. Leveraging NYPA's expertise in energy to build energy literacy programs around generation, transmission, digitization, renewable energy, and EV technology, by providing programs in (1) STEM education, (2) energy literacy and weatherization, (3) community energy projects, (4) community outreach and advocacy. Identifying, negotiating, and maintaining strategic partnerships to advance NYPA's goals in the community and ensure that NYPA is responsive to community concerns. Responsible for representing NYPA as a thought leader and subject matter expert on inter-agency and industry collaborations to cultivate energy equity relationships with Environmental Justice community leaders, advocates and other associated stakeholders including energy industry think tanks, academia, and other policy leaders. #LI-CJ1

Responsibilities

• Cultivate productive relationships with Environmental Justice community leaders, advocates and other associated stakeholders including energy industry think tanks, academia, and other policy leaders
• Maintain a high level of expertise in the field of energy and the environment including but not limited to community energy projects, transmission, climate change, renewable generation and the marketplace
• Serve as subject matter expert to internal business units such as Commercial Operations, Utility Operations, Project and Business Development and others to ensure that an EJ lens is applied to business operations
• Review and enhance NYPAs strategic EJ plan to deliver programs and projects to the communities impacted by NYPA operations
• Assists the VP Environmental Justice in the development of business cases, scope of work, contract requirements and justification of capital and operational spend. Oversee the acquisition of external resources including management of external consultants and suppliers to ensure that they are performing against contracted requirements.
• Serves as a primary EJ liaison on Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), Executive Order 22 and other interagency and industry groups focused on energy equity and historically disadvantaged communities
• Serve as point of contact for EJ stakeholders and advocacy groups. Monitor activities and develop material to update leadership with strategic advice on governmental, political or communications issues to ensure the concerns of the community are understood.
• Work to cultivate new and existing stakeholder relationships within key EJ areas. Identify possible communities and municipal entities for ongoing EJ energy efficiency demonstration projects recognizing opportunities to leverage NYPA resources to benefit communities.
• Develop, coach, mentor and manage a team of environmental justice professionals

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Working knowledge of the Power Authority, mission and strategic goals required. Familiarity with the state and federal regulatory energy environment in which NYPA operates, including expertise in the wider energy industry, generation transmission projects and renewable energy technology. 
• Essential working knowledge of the NYS Environmental Justice Community and Advocacy goals. Experience working with community groups.
• Ability to leverage high-level relationships with key internal & external stakeholders. Ability to work with highly sensitive and confidential material and issues.
• Excellent supervisory ability and experience managing diverse inter-disciplinary teams. Interpersonal skills to interact with all levels of management both internally & externally.
• Excellent organization and planning and ability to adjust course to accommodate changes in strategic or political direction
• Problem solving skills and ability to be creative about leveraging companywide expertise

Education, Experience and Certifications

• Bachelors’ degree in political science, environmental science, engineering, business, public relations, communications, finance, economics, or related field
• Masters’ degree in environmental policy, public administration, business, or communications is preferred
• Minimum 7 years of related experience. Community organization experience preferred.
• Experience in the energy industry
• Minimum 3 years of people management experience
• Experience working with government officials, community activists on EJ issues

Physical Requirements

Up to 50% travel within NY State and ability to attend meetings/events outside of normal business hours