Assistant Commissioner, Strategic Services

DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City’s most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies, what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness and sustainability guides our work, providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including:

• Recruiting, hiring, and training City employees.
• Managing 55 public buildings.
• Acquiring, selling, and leasing City property.
• Purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies.
• Overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country.
• Leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations.

When you work at DCAS, you’re not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It’s an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come. The Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Division of Energy Management (DEM) serves as the hub for energy management for City government operations. We develop the City’s annual utility energy budget; manage the City’s electricity, natural gas, and steam accounts; help our agency partners identify and pursue energy-saving opportunities at their buildings; conduct energy efficiency and clean power generation projects across the City’s portfolio; and implement operations and maintenance (O&M) best practices.

DEM is tasked with leading the City’s efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) 40% by 2025 (40x25), 50% by 2030 (50x30), and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Additionally, DEM is mandated to install, maintain, and operate 150 MW of solar photovoltaics on City buildings by 2035. To meet these goals, DEM works closely with our agency partners to help them achieve major emissions reductions in their buildings. We provide them with the energy efficiency and clean energy project funding, project delivery vehicles, technical expertise, staff resources, strategic planning support, and data analytics that they need to succeed. We organise our work with agency partners by six sector groups, based on agencies’ building typologies: Large Buildings, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Education, Cultural Institutions, and Community Services (inclusive of fire, police, and recreational facilities).

The Assistant Commissioner of Strategic Services will serve as a member of the DEM Senior Leadership team, leading the development and implementation of strategies for decarbonising City government operations.

Manage Long Term Planning and Policy Development: Drive strategic planning efforts that advance DEM’s mission, progress towards Local Law 97 (LL97) compliance and other mandates, and support DEM’s engagement with agencies to deliver energy efficiency and conservation projects. This would include leading policy development around energy efficiency and clean energy, continuously evaluating the effectiveness of DEM’s operating model, and ensuring the maximisation of dollars spent by DEM toward the goal of reducing GHG emissions.

Lead Strategic Communications: Lead the development and implementation of an external communications strategy to highlight DCAS and its partner agencies' efforts to decarbonise city government operations. This will include press inquiries, legislative engagements, in addition to a proactive communications strategy to keep key stakeholders and the public updated on DEM’s progress towards meeting LL97 targets and other mandates.

Supervise Legislation Development & Tracking: Lead DEM legislative strategy and support the Deputy Commissioner in City Council hearing preparation in coordination with DCAS Executive leadership, DEM staff, and agency staff as needed.

Oversee of FA&P and Contracting Innovation Teams: Provide oversight and strategic guidance to the Budget and Contracts teams and Financial Analysis and Planning (FA&P) teams. Oversee a broad contracting and budget strategy to ensure that DEM’s procurement and financial operations are aligned and supportive of DEM’s mission to decarbonise city government operations.

Support DEM Performance Tracking and Reporting: Work closely with the Deputy Commissioner and DCAS executive leadership to refine Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the division that communicate progress to all stakeholders. Additionally, manage the production of required analysis and materials for internal performance tracking and for external reporting.

Manage Special Projects: Manage special projects within Strategic Planning and DEM overall, handling requests from the Deputy Commissioner and serving as a trusted advisor.

Minimum Qualifications: A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and four years of satisfactory, full-time experience of a nature to qualify for the duties of the position, at least 18 months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial or executive capacity or supervising personnel performing activities related to the duties of the position; or education and/or experience equivalent to "1" above. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of administrative, managerial, executive or supervisory experience described in "1" above.

Preferred Skills: At least five (5) years of experience in managing building energy efficiency programs (whether at a utility, utility implementor, municipality, not-for-profit institution, or private real estate portfolio owner/operator). Experience should include responsibility for budgeting, resource management and scheduling, financial controls, project planning, and overall strategy. At least two (2) years of experience in the planning, design and/or construction of energy efficiency retrofits in buildings that vary in age, size, and use. Proficiency in energy analysis and modelling methodologies, including evaluation of energy cost savings, avoided GHG emissions, and interactive effects. Degree in engineering, architecture, or public administration. Credential as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM). Strong quantitative and data analysis skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Strong organisation and project management skills. Experience leading and directing high-performance teams, with a minimum of three years of supervisory experience or leading matrixed teams. High level of productivity: able to handle multiple responsibilities simultaneously. Excellent relationship management skills.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.

Residency Requirement: New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity or pregnancy.