Energy and Sustainability Engineer

OFFICIAL JOB TITLE: Energy and Sustainability Engineer

DIVISION: Administration & Facilities

DEPARTMENT: Facilities Management

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS: ESU, Cat. 15

FLSA STATUS: EXEMPT

REPORTS TO: Director of Facilities Operations

SUPERVISES: Provides direct supervision to the Assistant Director of Campus Sustainability and indirect supervision of up to 30 student workers

SUMMARY PURPOSE OF POSITION: The Energy and Sustainability Engineer focuses on advancing the University's efforts to become a sustainability leader by working with campus stakeholders to provide the knowledge, skills, and motivation needed to integrate sustainability values and practices into the institutional strategic planning processes, the management of its resources and operations, facilities planning and design. The Energy and Sustainability Engineer plays a key role in advising the University on how to create and implement strategies to reduce energy and carbon emissions in its operations and capital programs to meet goals established through institutional commitments. The incumbent leads project identification and implementation, subsidy/loan/rebate identification, public relations, employee and contractor education, and data development and analysis. The UMass Dartmouth energy and sustainability programs aligns with the UMass Board of Trustees Policy focusing on strategic planning, greenhouse gas reduction and clean energy, green building and operations, water conservation and efficiency, sustainable purchasing, solid waste and sustainable food waste systems.

Follows the University's best practices to build and/or support student academic success and retention and assist in meeting strategic objectives for persistence and timely graduation of all the student population.

EXAMPLES OF PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Identifies, develops and implements campus operational sustainability plans and goals which guide overall strategy by prioritizing programs that enhance the campus as a leader in sustainability education; these sustainability programs will permeate all aspects of the University through cross-disciplinary, accountable, measurable campus engagement and coordination
• Works closely with campus stakeholders to ensure that environmental and operational sustainability initiatives support and are integrated and aligned with campus goals
• Works cross-functionally with all departments, labs and centers and related organizations to educate, bring awareness and support, plan, develop and implement operational sustainability programs, including working directly with senior leadership and faculty
• Identifies opportunities for continuous environmental operational improvement and work with the stakeholders to develop and implement programs/projects that promote sustainability
• Reports annually on the state of operational sustainability and on key initiatives that could advance the University's overall sustainability plan
• Analyzes and reports on the effectiveness and results of operational sustainability projects, including financial effectiveness
• Participates in the MA Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) Office review and approval process for new construction and master planning to support sustainable campus growth
• Develops additional resources by securing funding through subsidies, grants, loans, rebates and utility incentives
• Provides visibility to operational environmental performance by tracking and reporting against key objectives for annual review
• Assists with and supports the University's utilities management program
• Coordinates with Budget & Finance on the financial analysis and impact (operating and capital) of the University's sustainability programs and assists in the optimization of the programs
• Seeks and manages sustainability funding for operating and capital purposes from governmental, private, and nonprofit sources
• Coordinates the University's operational data collection and reporting related to sustainable efforts to national, state, and professional organizations
• Oversees all aspects of property and asset management in compliance with the University of Massachusetts and State of Massachusetts' internal and external agency requirements
• Represents operational sustainability programs to the public, attends professional meetings and interfaces with external organizations on sustainability issues
• Works with the Marketing Office to increase awareness of operational sustainability initiatives through various media
• Develops and maintains a sustainability website showcasing operational sustainability initiatives
• Manages the operational sustainability inputs to AASHE Sustainability Tracking Assessment & Reporting System (STARS)
• Fosters sustainability planning and programming including, but not limited to, energy management, waste and recycling strategies, sustainable food waste operations, potable and storm water management, alternative transportation planning, LEED or comparable green building standards, procurement standards, as well as other operational sustainability measures
• Collaborates with other sustainability professionals to develop and implement climate action and sustainability plans to achieve state mandates in energy conservation, renewable energy solutions, carbon footprint reductions, recycling efforts and other initiatives
• Coordinates campus trash removal and recycling to include specifications, guidelines, sustainability goals and initiatives, and contract negotiations related to this function
• Performs other job-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned and/or the job description changed periodically to reflect changing organization needs

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in engineering, sustainability, environmental sciences, or an energy/sustainability related field

EXPERIENCE:

• Significant (over five years) experience in the energy, environmental sustainability, facilities engineering field or related experience
• Significant (over five years) project or administrative management experience
• Demonstrated (over three years) experience with financial analysis of sustainability projects and programs
• Demonstrated (over three years) experience with successful research and sourcing of sustainability funding including grants, rebates, loans, and subsidies
• Thorough knowledge of electrical and mechanical building operation, construction and maintenance materials, practices, equipment, and systems

OTHER:

• Must be able to attend weekend and evening meetings and events
• Regular travel to off-campus sites
• Valid driver's license

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in a field that will enhance operations and/or financial analyses

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

• Excellent written and oral skills
• Thorough understanding of sustainability principles and practices as well as underlying theories of sustainability
• Ability to forge alliances across campuses and communities
• Ability to organize conferences, workshops, etc.
• Strong organizational and computer skills are required
• Demonstrated ability to administer and oversee contracts and manage vendors to execute energy projects
• Experience optimizing building energy systems through utilization of EMS systems, energy audits and data analysis
• Experience in grant writing and proven success in obtaining grants for energy programs
• Knowledge of renewable energy technologies
• Experience with modern solid waste disposal methods

Salary: $68,565 - $94,000

UMass Dartmouth offers exciting benefits such as:

75% Employer-Paid Health Insurance
Flexible Spending Accounts
Life Insurance
Long Term Disability
State Pension Retirement Plan
Optional Retirement Savings Plans
Tuition Credit (Employee, Spouse, & Dependents)
Twelve (12) paid holidays.
Paid personal, vacation, and sick time.
And more!

Benefits for ESU Union: ESU

Applicants must be authorized for employment in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship not available.

To apply please submit a letter of interest, current resume and the contact information for three professional references.

The deadline for internal applicants is October 29, 2024.

The review of applications will begin October 30, 2024 and will be ongoing.