State of Maryland

A Climate Policy and Impact Analyst PSC is the expert level of work responsible for estimating the climate change impact of all proceedings before the Public Service Commission (PSC) as required by law including but not limited to Regulated Utility Rate Cases, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard. Employees in this class develop assumptions for avoided cost, conduct cost benefit analysis, and develop economic models for estimating climate change impact. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive managerial supervision from the Director of Energy Analysis and Planning Division of PSC or other designated administrator. Employees in this classification may be required to travel throughout the State of Maryland to visit generation facilities, energy projects or construction sites.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the Classification job evaluation methodology. This method compares the position’s assigned duties and responsibilities to the job criteria in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Conducts and reviews scientific research and studies, and other data regarding the design and structure of proposed and existing generation facilities (renewable or non-renewable) and their emissions to assess the economic, atmospheric science, biological, and environmental impact on Maryland’s natural resources and eco-systems consistent with State policy goals, laws, and regulations;

Conducts complex technical evaluation of environmental, economic, and engineering issues of proposed and existing generation facilities in determining their ability to provide adequate energy at reasonable cost while protecting Maryland’s natural resources;

Participates in the initiation, design, implementation, and review of technical projects related to the operations of generation facilities and documents work through the preparation and publishing of scientific, economic, and statistical reports;
Evaluates the potential climate change impacts of proposed generation facilities or the modification of existing generation facilities on environmental resources, including air, surface and ground water, terrestrial resources, and cultural and historic resources, while assessing overall site suitability;

Attends adjudicatory proceedings regarding the proposal of the construction and design of new generation facilities in Maryland before the Public Service Commission and provides testimony recommending the approval or disapproval of such facilities;

Coordinates and manages the assignments, work scope, budget, and accountability of consultant/contractual employees assigned economic, atmospheric science, biological or environmental engineering research and statistical work involving the design, structure, and emissions of generation facilities;

Integrates the scientific and statistical findings of consultant/contractual employees involving the design, construction, and emissions of facilities into a set of site-wide recommendations and reviews project activities completed by consultant/contractual employees for consistency with State or program policy and issues;

Meets with representatives of State and federal environmental protection agencies, utility, and nonutility (renewable and non-renewable) generation industries, and citizen organizations (e.g., Alliance for Chesapeake Bay and Chesapeake Bay Foundation) to address and identify environmental issues concerning the climate impact of generation facilities on Maryland’s natural resources;

Conducts ongoing scientific research and studies on the climate impact of existing generation facilities on Maryland’s natural resources and eco-systems;

Reviews proposed State legislation affecting the climate in Maryland and prepares agency’s position and fiscal impact statements;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of environmental economics, environmental science, climate change, and climate policies of the State to protect human and wildlife health;

Knowledge of climate control methods, techniques and industry performance measures used by generation facilities in complying with environmental laws and regulations;

Knowledge of analytical procedures and techniques used in researching, organizing, investigating, and conducting studies of the climate and climate change;

Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of public health related to the control of the environment;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques to be used by industries and generation facilities to meet the requirements of laws and regulations in environmental matters;

Knowledge of the objective, scope and force of laws pertaining to the general areas of environmental control, toxic substances control, environmental disease control, or radiation control and sanitation;

Skill in identifying interrelationships and trends in financial data and reports relating to climate and climate changes;

Skill in setting up and maintaining Excel spreadsheets;

Skill in developing and preparing statistical data and report formats on the environment and climate;

Skill in time management;

Ability to conduct complex technical evaluation of the environmental and economic issues related to the climate policies of the State;

Ability to evaluate the potential environmental impact of proposed or existing programs related to the climate policies of the State;

Ability to present recommendations on environmental and climate impacts to internal Public Service Commission staff and outside parties in both written and oral form;

Ability to act as an expert witness in climate and climate change, and to provide testimony before proceedings of the Public Service Commission;

Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with representatives of other State agencies and offices charged with the protection of Maryland’s natural resources and ecosystems;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to handle and maintain confidential information;

Ability to effectively communicate ideas, results of findings, procedures and policies, conclusions, and recommendations.

Education: A bachelor’s degree in environmental economics, environmental science, environmental engineering, climate science or climatology, meteorology, atmospheric science, public health, ecology and conservation, geography, journalism, education, business, or political science.

Experience: Five (5) years of experience with a public service commission, other governmental agencies, consulting organizations, regulated enterprise, or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) performing climate change impact analysis.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute a master’s degree in environmental economics, environmental science, environmental engineering, climate science or climatology, meteorology, atmospheric science, public health, ecology and conservation, geography, journalism, education, business, or political science for two years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute experience on a year-to-year basis in climate change analysis or policy, environmental policy, energy policy, economic or econometrically based climate analysis up to four (4) years of the education requirement.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a Commissioned Officer in any of the field areas noted in the education section.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit as indicated by the designation of S (supervisor), M (manager), T (agency head), U (Board or Commission member), W (student), X (excluded by executive order), or Z (confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and therefore, all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.