Co-Director of Energy and Climate, and Energy Infrastructure Project Manager - City of Newton

Job Description

Primary purpose:

Serves as the Co-Director of Energy and Climate and Energy Infrastructure Project Manager. Responsible for the planning, development and management of a wide array of capital projects. Includes stakeholder interface, funding, project approvals, programming, design, cost estimates, scheduling, bidding, and construction. Articulates the technical aspects of a project to non-technical stakeholders, prepares progress reports on a recurring basis and provides periodic project updates to various committees as needed and directed. As a key project management staff member, the employee coordinates with other city departments and key stakeholders, both in-house personnel, outside consultants, contractors, and state and federal officials on project management, progress and needs. Also, in collaboration with the other Co-Director of Energy and Climate, is responsible for energy- and climate-related policy development, review, and recommendations to the Mayor, and maintains awareness of local and national policy shifts to ensure that the City of Newton maintains its status as a leader in the area of sustainability, clean energy, climate change, and environmental policy and practices. Develops the City’s Climate Action Plan as part of a city team, including periodic revisions of the plan as well as in tracking progress for the achievement of plan goals. Implements and maintains the City of Newton’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) program. Prepares the City’s Green Communities application and reporting to the State’s Department of Energy Resources. Assists with other functions in the department, including business support, performance reporting, grant applications, and program management office tasks, and all other related duties as required and directed.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Employee works in close collaboration with the City’s other Co-Director of Energy and Climate as well as the Chief Operating Officer.  Works independently to manage multiple projects simultaneously and coordinates interaction with other City department personnel to move projects through appropriate reviews, approvals and project implementation.

Supervision received: Employee works under the general supervision of the Commissioner of Public Buildings or their designee, and the Mayor, with independent discretion to set own schedule and organize priorities in order to meet goals. 

Supervision given: Employee supervises the Climate Action Coordinator position and any other position that may be created and assigned to this function, including the BERDO Administrator. 

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed.  The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Responsible for the development and execution of assigned projects including managing different and conflicting objectives, projects or activities at once through design, cost estimating, scheduling, bidding and construction, while also participating in managing the City’s climate change-related activities.
• Responsible for the planning and execution of building energy conservation decarbonization and renewable energy projects. Maintains and coordinates project updates.
• Demonstrates sound judgment in quickly escalating critical and/or complex issues to management. Responsible for coordination of project funding and funding approvals including utility incentive programs and state and federal funding and grant opportunities.
• Employee assumes complex administrative, supervisory and professional work in all functions of sustainability and energy infrastructure. Employee leads, supports and directs Climate Action Coordinator and other staff; oversees all aspects of employee management, coordinates with the electric and gas utilities on issues involved in implementation of the City’s Climate Action Plan.
• Maintains energy use and solar project generation databases and provides periodic reports and updates as well as being responsible for notification of any abnormalities or spikes in energy consumption.
• Provides oversight of the development and management of the City of Newton’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). This includes 34 municipal and school buildings, and all large residential, commercial and industrial buildings in the city. Responsible for data collection and analysis of this program for the purposes of determining compliance and enforcement.
• Prepares presentations for senior leadership and for various committees that are held in the evening after normal work hours.
• Manages the electric vehicle charging station infrastructure program. This includes project development and management, as well as management of the ongoing program, infrastructure maintenance, and any ongoing financial system requirements.
• Manages consultants for utility procurement to ensure that the City of Newton is securing optimal utility prices. Works with the Public Buildings Department Business Manager to oversee multiple Power Purchase Agreements to ensure that the City of Newton is securing the appropriate incentives, direct payments, and ensuring the City is paying market rate for utility costs.
• Manages the Green Communities Grant Program, including annual generation of projects, grant submission and management, and project schedule management to ensure that each grant work package is complete before the next grant period opens, and all work necessary to submit the Green Communities annual report.
• Provides daily construction oversight services to approved plans and specifications including overseeing on-site resident representatives and construction contractors during the construction phase of the project. Interfaces with the designers and construction team for all project-related questions.  Records the progress of the construction project, reviews and recommends approval of payment requisitions, and prepares written reports of the progress of construction.
• Oversees construction project completion, closeout, cleanup, as-built drawings. Assures compliance with City issued permits, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Attends training internally and externally as needed. 

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.)

Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Engineering or Architecture, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, or related field, and two to five years of capital owners project management experience, construction management and oversight or equivalent work; and two to five years of supervisory experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. Valid Massachusetts Class D driver’s license required. A strong commitment to public service is required.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill

Knowledge: Knowledge of Engineering/Architectural program management, construction program management, site design and analysis, building science, construction cost estimating and scheduling, construction techniques, data management and analysis. Knowledge of supervisory standards and best practices. Knowledge of environmental issues, especially as pertaining to energy, climate change, and building energy efficiency issues and building codes.  Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software. 

Abilities: Read, understand, interpret engineering/architectural plans, laws, regulations, building and energy codes, and other pertinent information, and relate expertise to others. Prepare detailed reports and correspondence and present and explain complex or controversial information effectively; ability to manage multiple tasks in a detailed and timely manner. Ability to present information that may be controversial in nature, in a style consistent with tact and sensitivity. Perform cost benefit analysis and interpret applicable federal and state regulations. Ability to set priorities; ability to follow through on ideas; ability to multitask. Ability to train, supervise and evaluate employees and volunteers effectively. Ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, financial reports, and safety regulations. Ability to respond to inquiries or complaints from citizens, outside contacts, regulatory agencies, or employees of the City.

Skills: Effective written, oral communication skills with ability to present ideas to a group. Excellent problem-solving and research skills. Good listening skills; strong organizational and record-keeping skills; personnel management skills. Skilled in constructing and maintaining excel spreadsheets and using other general and profession-related software and technology; experience working with various computer and database programs. Strong analytical, problem solving and troubleshooting skills required. 

Physical requirements/work environment

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Work is performed under typical office conditions as well as other settings, such as in the field on construction sites or other outside locations; requires maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, sitting, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods of time.
• Operates computers, computer software such as Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, Project Schedule, AutoCAD and other engineering and construction management programs (Primavera and CPM scheduling), printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, and standard office equipment. Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers. Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion, and professional office protocols.
• Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials up to 20 pounds. Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Tasks may involve maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, sitting, or driving a vehicle for prolonged periods of time. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

(This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.)

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus.  The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset.  To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits.  We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities.  We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings.  We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees.  And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

•   Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
•   Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
•   Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
•   Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
•   Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
•   Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees