Deputy Chief of Power Planning, Development, and Modernization

Posting number: 26-20223

Department: MBTA - Policy and Strategic Planning

Division: 005-Policy and Strategic Planning

Job classification: Deputy Chief of Power Planning, Development, and Modernization

Posting type: Open/External and Promotional/Internal

Categories: Environmental Services, Planning and Development, Management, Project Management

SummaryThe 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. Examples of duties

• 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.

Additional responsibilities may include focus on one or more departments or locations.   See applicable addendum for department or location specific functions. 

Supervision

• Directly supervise an internal team staffed by energy professionals at various levels.

Qualifications

• 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.

Substitutions

• 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.
• 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.

Supplemental information

• 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.