Assistant director - electric power division

The primary work of the Assistant Director of the Electric Power Division (“EPD”) is to assist the Director in managing the Electric Power Division, both on a substantive level in managing investigative projects, and on a personnel level, in training and supervising staff. The Assistant Director is also responsible for the EPD during times when the Director is absent. 

The electric industry in Massachusetts is a $4.5 billion dollar industry on which every business and household relies. The primary mission of the EPD is to ensure that the regulated electric utilities in Massachusetts provide their customers with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost.

The EPD is responsible for overseeing a variety of policy-related issues associated with the electric industry. EPD's responsibilities fall into three general categories:  (1) the provision of reliable, cost-effective electric supply to customers, including basic service, competitive supply, and ratemaking; (2) initiatives and activities aimed at achieving a more efficient, modernized, and environmentally sustainable electricity system including energy efficiency; distributed generation including renewables and storage, net metering, and interconnection; grid modernization; and electric vehicle charging infrastructure; and (3) ensuring the physical reliability and safety of the electric system, including service quality, storm and emergency response, and vegetation management. 

The focus of this position of Assistant Director is on achieving a more efficient, modernized, and environmentally sustainable electricity system and the provision of electric supply. This focus is key to the Department’s mission because (1) Massachusetts’ economy and lifestyles are dependent on a reliable supply of electricity; (2) Massachusetts is a leader in transforming its electricity use to reflect changing economic and environmental realities; (3) relative to other regions of the country, energy costs are high in Massachusetts; and (4) environmental degradation is costly in terms of health and unsustainable in the long run. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

The Assistant Director formally reports to the Director who assigns work, reviews work quality, and conducts formal evaluation. Direction and guidance is provided to the Assistant Director by the Director as necessary in terms of refining substantive approaches, rescheduling work priorities, and managing personnel. 

DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Development and Implementation of Sustainable Electricity Policies (25 Percent) 
   Participate in the development and implementation of sound and robust sustainable electricity policies in the Commonwealth, including: energy efficiency; renewable energy and storage development, and the interconnection thereof; long-term contracting for renewable energy; grid modernization; the provision of basic service and competitive supply; decoupling; and enabling the achievement of legislated greenhouse gas emission reduction goals for the electric industry. Develop and evaluate conceptual policy models and frameworks, identify strengths and weaknesses, and propose adjustments. Research and compare empirical evidence and other data to objectives of conceptual models and frameworks, propose refinements. Continually consult and communicate with DPU and EEA staff, electric utility executives and staff, public interest groups, and other government officials to monitor and improve industry activity. 
2. Case and Project Management (30 Percent) 
   Manage cases and projects, from start to finish. Identify and organize the substantive issues, plan the procedural steps, assign cases and projects (or sections thereof) to staff and monitor progress. In some cases, execute the procedural steps and participate in discovery and the drafting of Orders and other Department correspondence. Coordinate with the legal and rates divisions, the Division of Regional and Federal Affairs, and other staffs; and resolve substantive and logistical problems. Collaborate with Division Directors and Commissioners to address unique aspects of a proceeding. Oversee writing efforts to ensure production of a comprehensive, timely, coherent written product that will realize the intended goals.
   • Institute, maintain, and update EPD infrastructure and IT tools to better organize and coordinate the work activities and communications among EPD and DPU staff (e.g., case trackers, EPD SharePoint and Teams sites, guidebooks/manuals for various workstreams). 
3. Supervise Staff (30 Percent) 
   Manage time and caseload of EPD staff. Review quality of work; provide direction in terms of organizing work, approaches to solving substantive problems, and effective writing. Orient new staff and educate staff in terms of Department methods and practices. Help staff accommodate and stick to their hybrid working schedules and any subsequent adjustments.
   • Assign case or project work and delegate various responsibilities to staff as needed and on an equitable basis to ensure case teams are sufficient and diverse. Adjust workloads as necessary to accommodate shifting priorities. Convene regular 1:1 meetings with reports to monitor, assess, and address their progress, workload, and issues. Review staff work performance. Collaborate with Director to ensure high level of productivity and boost team morale.
   • Assist with the posting and filling of open positions, including screening and interviewing applicants. Encourage and recognize staff diversity. 
4. Monitor Trends (10 Percent) 
   Keep abreast of industry, regulatory, and technological advances. Such advances include smart grid pricing and deployment approaches, renewable energy development and long-term contracting, energy efficiency polices, decoupling policies, microgrids, virtual power plants, time-of-use ratemaking, and the development of retail electricity markets. Technological advances include advanced metering, distribution system smart grid technologies, renewable generation technologies, and electric vehicles. 
5. Other duties, as assigned (5 Percent) 
   This includes providing support for external EPD functions, such as assisting the Director of Government Relations or Communications in compiling updates on EPD-related matters for legislative purposes and reviewing proposed legislation.