Deputy Chief of Power Planning, Development, and Modernization

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority•Boston, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Chief of Power Planning, Development, and Modernization leads the transformation of the Authority’s power infrastructure in support of transit electrification, energy resilience, and long-term State of Good Repair (SOGR) objectives. This role is central to the MBTA’s efforts to modernize and expand its electric transmission and distribution systems, integrate distributed energy resources and battery storage, and renew legacy electric generation assets that support rail and bus operations across the system. The Deputy Chief leads the development and execution of a system-wide strategy aligned with the Commonwealth’s decarbonization goals and the MBTA’s capital investment priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Engineering, Energy Systems, or a closely related field.
Twelve 12 years of progressive experience in energy infrastructure, utilities, or large-scale power system planning and/or development.
Seven (7) years of managerial, supervisory, and/or leadership experience.
Demonstrated experience managing the full lifecycle of energy project development and delivery, including design, permitting, financing, construction, and operation and maintenance, across generation, distributed energy resources, storage, and transmission/distribution.
Strong knowledge of ISO New England transmission interconnection and planning processes.
Experience working with or within public agencies, preferably in a transit, utility, or infrastructure context.
Proven ability to structure and execute innovative commercial and financing solutions, including public-private partnerships and energy transactions.
Strategic thinker with strong financial, technical, and project delivery skills.
Effective communicator and leader with ability to manage cross-functional teams and obtain internal and external buy-in from key stakeholders.
Demonstrated experience and results in collaborating with an executive team to drive organizational change.
Effective organizational, analytical, technical, quantitative, writing, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
Strong commitment to climate action, equity, and public service.
A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
An associate’s degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor’s degree requirement.
Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op.
Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis.
The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program.
However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply.
Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.

Nice To Haves

A master’s degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.
Experience in state government or another organization that receives federal funds.
Experience ensuring compliance with Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements.
Experience in the Transportation Industry or Energy Industry.
Advanced degree (M.S., MBA, or MPA) in Energy, Infrastructure, Public Policy, or Business Administration.
Change Management and Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Senior executive experience.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement a comprehensive modernization strategy for MBTA power systems, ensuring alignment with transit electrification, resiliency, and climate action goals.
Lead initiatives to transition the MBTA toward a cleaner and more distributed power model that supports fleet electrification (including battery-electric buses and electric commuter rail).
Drive power system projects that support reliability, capacity expansion, and improved operational performance in line with SOGR needs.
Oversee full life-cycle development, including scoping, engineering, permitting, commercialization, financing, and construction and energization of high-value power infrastructure projects, including generation assets, substation upgrades, medium- and high-voltage systems, and distributed generation and battery storage assets.
Manage planning, interconnection and permitting processes with utilities and ISO New England.
Coordinate closely with power system maintenance, rail modernization, bus transformation, facility modernization, infrastructure planning and engineering and capital delivery teams.
Develop innovative commercial and financing strategies using a mix of public funds, grants, and public-private partnerships.
Lead procurement and negotiation of energy services agreements, power purchase agreements (PPAs), wholesale power purchases and other alternative delivery models.
Represent the MBTA in external forums related to transmission planning, energy markets, and regulatory compliance.
Serve as the agency’s key liaison with ISO New England, Eversource/National Grid, Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and other relevant state and federal energy policy and planning partners on matters related to power modernization.
Advocate for policy and grid access solutions that support public transit electrification.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, innovation, and interdepartmental collaboration.
Build internal capacity and develop tools and standards to ensure long-term asset performance and resiliency.
Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
Directly supervise an internal team staffed by energy professionals at various levels.