Administrative Analyst I – Energy and Carbon Specialist

Nature of Work

Nature of Work

The purpose of this job is to provide professional level administrative support services to a department head or other administrative position. Manages assigned projects. Work as staff liaison to the various departmental divisions and programs and outside agencies; may act as staff liaison with the media. In some instances, this position will have supervisory responsibility.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

• Oversees and coordinates the activities of special programs such as cable television, intergovernmental relations, and automated systems and the like
• Assists in the formulation and implementation of executive policies, initiatives, and budgetary matters; meets with department heads and other city staff; provides follow through action on initiatives; serves as liaison with assigned departments and agencies
• Assists in overall strategic planning for the city; coordinates interdepartmental projects; provides analyses and options for program changes
• Provides funding source research
• Researches grant opportunities, acquires grant funds and manages awarded grants
• Develops various information to assist the City Manager, Assistant City Manager, or departmental directors; provides analyses of budget and policy issues and explanatory materials; assists in presenting matters to the City Commission
• Responds to inquiries and complaints from citizens; responds to media inquiries; prepares statements and informational materials for the media; coordinates ongoing public information programs; assists departments in the preparation and presentation of public information
• Represents department heads, Assistant City Manager or City Manager’s Office in meetings with various individuals and groups, including citizens, commission members, other governmental officials, representatives from various organizations and associations
• Conducts analytical studies, organizational studies, and special research and other projects at the direction of the City Manager or Assistant City Manager; prepares a variety of correspondence and reports related to the work
• Performs related work as required

Specific Functions of the Energy and Carbon Specialist

ENERGY / CARBON PERFORMANCE TRACKING & ANALYSIS The specialist will be responsible for tracking the energy and carbon performance as well as modeling future estimated performance of all City of Grand Rapids operations including buildings, utilities and fleets. The City has over 200 Energy Star Portfolio Manager accounts that must be maintained, including consumption and cost data for electricity, natural gas and steam. The specialist will coordinate and manage City participation in the Grand Rapids 2030 District, Michigan Battle of the Buildings, the Carbon Disclosure Project and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy City Energy Efficiency Scorecard. In addition to tracking energy / carbon performance, the specialist will also be responsible for analyzing how City facilities and the fleet are performing against targets and identifying best practices and opportunities for improvement and cost savings. This work also includes conducting financial analysis of energy consumption (rates, demand management).

IDENTIFY & IMPLEMENT CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGIES – The specialist will coordinate the completion of energy audits for municipal properties, including managing utilization of the U.S. Department of Energys Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant funding. This position will also oversee the implementation of efficiency and other energy related work and support all departments in achieving energy and GHG reductions and cost savings. The specialist will be held accountable for creating plans to successfully achieve the Citys 85% GHG emissions reduction and 100% renewable energy goals, including supporting departments achieving department and facility specific energy and GHG reduction targets. The specialist will also partner with the Fleet Department to strategize on transitioning the City fleet to a low or no emission fleet and serve as a pilot for community employers and organizations with large fleets to decarbonize.

SOLAR AND RENEWABLE ENERGY OPPORTUNITIES The specialist will assess the cost, savings and feasibility of installing solar on City facilities or properties. The position will be responsible for supporting requests for proposals on solar installations and managing any approved solar projects. The specialist will evaluate renewable energy opportunities outside of on-site solar installations, including the purchase of renewable energy credits, carbon credits, virtual power purchase agreements and Consumers Energys voluntary green pricing program. In addition, the specialist will help coordinate the Citys participation in the SolSmart campaign to make the City more solar friendly with the Community Energy Coordinator.

MANAGE ENERGY TEAM & CANNABIS ENERGY REVIEW The specialist will manage the Citys Energy Team, which is a cross-departmental team of representatives from Facilities, Mobile GR, Water, Environmental Services, Engineering, Fire Department and Libraries that collaborate on energy projects, programs and goals specific to City operations. Review cannabis licensing applications to ensure the sustainability requirements of the ordinance are met.

ENERGY/EMISSIONS LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS The specialist will assist the Chief Sustainability Officer on energy and emissions related legislation and regulations, including Michigan Public Service Commission cases and LARA building and energy code development.

CARBON REDUCTION PROGRAMS & POLICIES FOR THE COMMUNITY The specialist will assist the Chief Sustainability Officer in creating and implementing carbon reduction programs and policies that will help decrease the carbon footprint of the community. This work will include providing assistance to the Community Energy Coordinator in managing Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) projects and helping community members, particularly low-income residents, leverage existing efficiency incentives and opportunities. The specialist will also collaborate with Mobile GR and Fleet colleagues on electric vehicle opportunities and provide guidance on potential energy efficiency inspection processes and data reporting.

RESEARCH & BENCHMARKING The specialist will research energy and carbon innovations and best practices, which will include researching other municipalities and leading organizations working on energy and carbon reduction and staying abreast of new developments to share with relevant departments. This research will also include benchmarking the Citys performance in key areas against other municipalities and businesses. Research topics may include policy options to support increased energy efficiency and renewable energy, electrification, microgrids and battery storage as well as other energy and carbon innovations.??

Minimum Training and Experience

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Public Administration, Government or a related field

-AND-

• At least two (2) to four (4) years of progressively responsible related work experience

-OR-

• Any equivalent combination of training, education, and experience that provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities

Preferred Educatoin and Experience

• Master’s degree in energy, sustainability or a related field
• Experience with energy or carbon projects (energy efficiency, GHG/carbon mitigation, renewable energy, energy justice, etc.)

Other Necessary Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Legal terminology and court procedures
• Principles and practices of basic bookkeeping
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment
• Principles, theories and practices of public sector management
• Budget analysis methods and techniques
• Local government functions and operations
• State and federal laws, rules and standards applicable to the operations and services of local government
• Effective methods, practices and techniques related to communicating with the media and the public
• Community resources and strengths

Skill in:

• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
• Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments
• Interpersonal communication and teamwork
• Budget preparation
• Various research methods

Ability to:

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Investigate and resolve citizen complaints
• Communicate complex ideas effectively
• Analyze and maintain working relationships
• Pay attention to detail
• Develop operational plans and key performance indicators
• Adhere to quality standards
• Write business plans, proposals and program analysis
• Develop short and long-term goals
• Use supply chain principles

Other Information

We offer:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision starting on Day 1
• 6% employee 401a contribution with employer matching (6% or 7% based on bargaining unit)
• Employee & Employer contributions to Retiree Health Savings Account
• Voluntary benefits such as term life insurance, flexible spending accounts, accidental insurance, disability insurance, and deferred compensation plan options
• Twelve Paid Holidays
• Paid Vacation and Sick Time
• Paid parking (if applicable)
• Employee Home Ownership Incentive
• Tuition Reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Assistance Program with free mental health counseling
• Comprehensive Wellness program with a health and wellness incentive
• Employee Discounts and Perks