Chief Plan Examiner, Energy Code

Join the fight against climate change and take advantage of a unique opportunity on the cutting edge of climate policy at the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB). DOB plays an essential role in implementing New York City’s ground-breaking climate policies, including Local Law 97, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the city’s largest buildings. The Department’s Bureau of Sustainability is actively developing the policies and regulations needed to advance New York City’s climate goals. In a city where buildings contribute nearly three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions, a focus on efficiency, building energy usage, and decarbonization is critical. DOB is committed to becoming the nation’s premier municipal building organization, enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers, and making our city a safer and healthier place to live. Become a member of DOB’s Bureau of Sustainability team and make a real difference.

This position manages the energy code plan examination unit and performs supervisory work in the energy analysis of structures and building equipment systems, and the examination of plans for the construction, alteration or repair of buildings and equipment systems for Energy Code under the jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings.

The selected candidate will report directly to the Director, Energy Code Compliance and will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Supports the development of the NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC) and related Department policies supporting legislation governing the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in New York City.
• Assigns energy code plan examination workload to energy code plan examination personnel.
• Trains, supervises, and evaluates energy code plan examination personnel.
• Examines and reviews design and/or equipment plans and specifications of the construction, alteration, or repair of buildings under the jurisdiction of the Department of Buildings for conformity with the NYC Energy Conservation Code, Department rules, other pertinent laws and rules.
• Reviews reports and recommendations on the approval of applications and the issuance of permits for building construction, as related to the NYC Energy Code. Responds to applicant appeals of objectives.
• Engages in research, investigations, studies, and examinations related to the construction or demolition of structures subject to the provisions of the NYC Energy Code, Department rules, other pertinent laws and rules, and approved plans and specifications.
• Explains and enforces rules and laws relevant to the field.
• Testifies as needed, including at ECB, depositions, and court.
• Represents the Agency, as needed, at meetings and seminars.
• Coordination with the Energy Code Audits and Inspections Unit to support Investigations of buildings.
• Responding to public inquires on technical sues in person, via telephone, via fax and e-mails.
• Researching complex technical Issues, issuing interpretations, and responding to inquiries submitted by the industry with respect to the requirements of the NYCECC, Building Code, Zoning Resolution and other rules, regulations and legislation as they apply to the legality of proposed building construction, alteration of repair.
• Participate in the creation and delivery of training and educational documentation to internal staff as well as to the public with respect to Energy Code and the installation of sustainable building solutions.
• Working efficiently, effectively, creatively and with minimal direction to achieve large amounts of deliverables under aggressive deadlines while producing exceptional work product and outcomes.
• Communicating the Agency’s core mission and message to customers with the goal of improving public perception and clearly communicating initiatives.

Minimum Qualification Requirements
1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or architectural technology; biology; building science; chemistry; construction management; energy management; engineering, engineering technology; environmental science; facilities management; physics; or a related field; or
2. Completion of an apprentice program, a minimum of two (2) years in length, in a construction trade with an emphasis on energy efficiency for buildings and two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy generation or conservation work such as planning, developing, implementing, inspecting, analyzing, testing, and verifying interventions to generate clean energy or reduce energy usage; or
3. Four (4) years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy generation or conservation work such as planning, developing, implementing, inspecting, analyzing, testing, and verifying interventions to generate clean energy or reduce energy usage; or
4. Education and/or experience equivalent to 1, 2, or 3 above. One (1) year of acceptable experience will be credited for every 30 semester credits of undergraduate education in any of the fields described in 1 above. One (1) year of acceptable experience will be credited for a masters degree in any of the fields described in 1 above.

At least one year of experience as described in 3 above must have been as a major contributor or a project leader on a complex project requiring additional and specific expertise in the necessary disciplines as described in 1 above.

License Requirement
A license as a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect issued pursuant to the New York State Education Law. This license must be maintained for the duration of employment in this assignment.

Additional Information
Permanent Administrative Engineers, permanent Administrative Architects, applicants who are reachable on the Administrative Engineer or Administrative Architect open competitive list, and applicants as indicated below will be considered.

Candidates who are permanent in comparable civil service titles may be considered for title change under rule 6.1.9 of the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York