THE DEPARTMENT
The Office of Sustainability & Environment (OSE) develops and implements citywide environmental policies and programs that propel our city toward a sustainable, equitable, and carbon neutral future.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. The sustainability and environmental fields have often failed to reflect the experiences and identities of people affected by their decisions and outcomes, including Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Immigrants, Refugees, People with Disabilities, and LGBTQ+ people. All applicants are welcome, and in particular we strongly encourage people with these identities or from other marginalized communities to apply.
THE CONTEXT
Seattle recently passed a new climate law, the Building Emissions Performance Standard (BEPS). The law focuses on carbon emissions reduction or decarbonization and establishes greenhouse gas emissions targets that larger existing commercial and multifamily buildings must meet over the next two to three decades to reach net-zero by 2050 or sooner. The policy is projected to reduce city-wide building emissions 27% by 2050, making it one of the most impactful climate actions Seattle is taking to cut carbon. This law, and the success of this program, will have a real and lasting effect on Seattles climate future and climate justice.
THE JOB
We are recruiting a Building Emissions Reduction Technical Advisor to join the growing BEPS team. This is an opportunity to do innovative work to combat the climate crisis. In this role, you will use your subject matter expertise in building electrification / decarbonization, knowledge of Seattles commercial and multifamily building market, and collaborative client- or customer- focused skills to frame the policys technical requirements, which will clarify the new legislations requirements for building owners and service providers (e.g., what the City will require in emissions reports and decarbonization plans). Youll also develop technical content for tools and materials to help building owners and operators cut carbon emissions to meet the BEPS requirements and discuss compliance options to reach net-zero over time.
We are looking for applicants with significant experience with building sustainability and performance, energy efficiency, electrification retrofits, low-carbon strategies, and energy audits, as well as an interest in staying on top of the latest trends in low emissions and net-zero retrofits. We also value applicants with phenomenal customer-facing skills who can interact with and influence private, nonprofit and institutional building owners, and facility managers and energy service providers.
Your key responsibilities will be:
Leadership and Technical Advisory Role for Rulemaking and Program Development
Technical Guidance to Building Owners and Service Providers
To be successful in this role, you are committed to:
To be effective in this role, you should have experience with:
Program and project management initiating workflows and processes, meeting deadlines, finding solutions, and adjusting when responding to emerging issues.
Strategic engagement and outreach engaging with a variety of building owners with varying degrees of understanding and differing concerns, listening, level-setting expectations, and offering constructive advice and solutions.
Building energy experience understanding of building energy efficiency retrofits, electrification and net-zero strategies for operational carbon, and energy audits, including HVAC and water heating system types in large commercial and multifamily buildings.
Interpretation of codes and standards referring to and using energy and building codes, building regulations, standards like ASHRAE, or certifications like ENERGY STAR and LEED.
Communications and presentations communicating clearly and concisely in written and oral formats with building owners or developers and internal audiences at the City.
Technical and data analysis interpreting the work of engineers or researchers, such as energy modelers, conducting some energy data analyses, and staying on top of the latest strategies for retrofitting buildings to net-zero.
Program requirements guidance using good judgment and a measured approach when responding to technical questions, making recommendations, and making decisions about whether a project meets program requirements. Defending decisions to non-technical audiences and leadership.
You also have any one of the following certifications/licenses:
Why work at the City?
The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and-covered-family-members/most-employees-plans
The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.