Resource Conservation Specialist

~ At Seattle Public Schools there are three Resource Conservation Specialists in the Facilities Operations Department. ~

Their focus is to manage current utility expenses (electricity, natural gas, water/sewer, and solid waste) through low-cost/no-cost operating strategies. Seattle Public Schools includes over 9 million square feet of buildings, spends over $8,000,000 every year on utility bills, and uses enough electricity to power about 4,600 residential homes.

Position Overview

This position, Resource Conservation Specialist, has leadership responsibility for the District's conservation program and the coordination, facilitation, communication, data analysis and documentation of program components. Duties include leading strategic conservation initiatives and serving as a technical resource. Researches, develops, plans, and implements projects associated with the conservation program. Under the general supervision of the Facilities Operations Program Manager, the responsibility of this position include electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater conservation at all District schools and facilities, and across all departments in the District.

Sector:

• Government- Local/Regional

Responsibilities

20%

• Manage the District's Natural Resources Conservation program, policy and procedures related to energy, water and waste conservation. 
• Perform program management responsibilities related to conservation of energy, water and waste to include electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater conservation. 
• Oversee and promote the involvement of all levels of the District staff and students to take ownership for the success of conservation programs.  Develop, test and implement marketing strategies to promote, educate, motivate, and communicate conservation techniques.

20%

• Analyze and manage utility usage, costs, and savings.  Identify and advise District staff and utility providers of opportunities to increase conservation effectiveness. 
• Monitor and analyze conservation performance for each utility service (electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater conservation) and District building. Comply with appropriate technical specifications. 
• Research and analyze new and proposed utility conservation laws, regulations, policies, and programs to determine their impact on department operations and develop appropriate responses, including positions, briefing, papers, correspondence, and programs. Conduct research and analysis of complex, multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency conservation issues. 
• Design, write, edit, and distribute internal and public information materials in various media, including brochures, handouts, flyers, newsletters, reports, manuals, exhibits, and correspondence. Direct department's input, review and comment on reports, technical documents, and long-range planning efforts.

15%

• Investigate opportunities, prepare grants and apply for external funding opportunities. 
• Coordinate with Utility Providers (electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater), City, County, State, Federal, non-profit, and for-profit entities on rebates.   Identify, apply for and receive grants and rebates in varying amounts periodically throughout the year. 
• Comply with state laws and ordinances regarding electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater conservation.

15%

• Develop District conservation goals and report regularly on progress.  Analyze and report on budgetary impact of District resource use including savings and cost avoidance. 
• Create a baseline and analyse data to achieve a high energy score and show compliance to help minimize additional work imposed by regulatory agencies. 
• Develop and maintain a database for all Utility bills (electricity, natural gas, water, sewer, irrigation, waste management, recycling, composting, and stormwater;) track building data, usage, calculate statistics, analyze saving as a result of new equipment or conservation measures, and analyse results.  Report back to schools, Senior Leadership, School Board, and the public on an annual basis with a tailored analysis and calculations of conservation savings.  Work with Utilities to test systems and software for trending data.

15%

• Provide advanced technical expertise to other departments, schools, and public agencies. 
• Serve as an expert in one or more areas of conservation such as regional energy, water and waste issues, energy and water efficient building systems including construction and codes, lifecycle cost analysis, advanced research and analysis methods, HVAC scheduling and occupant comfort, lighting, recycling and composting, behavior change and social marketing, stormwater runoff, solar and alternative energy generation, building performance benchmarking, operation and maintenance practices for sustainable buildings, electrical systems, building automation and direct digital controls, building commissioning and retrocommissioning, U.S. EPA's Energy Star and Portfolio Manager, Washington Sustainable Schools Protocol, U.S. Green Building Council LEED O & M for commercial buildings, City of Seattle Building Tune-Up Ordinance compliance, City of Seattle mandatory composting and recycling ordinance. 
• Review new buildings to ensure proper usage of lighting controls, ventilation, signage, and related conservation measures. Ensure conservation mechanisms and measures are incorporated into redesign of buildings for maximum efficiency. 
• Perform field inspections of in-progress and completed complex energy installations and existing buildings, as necessary. Review related technical documents. 
• Work with the Capital teams to address systems that need a major overhaul.  Identify where capital might be applied for maximum benefit.

15%

• Represent the District with utility providers, federal, state, and local governments, at meeting, seminars and conferences related to conservation and sustainability. 
• Develop, prepare and deliver user education to include presentations on conservation to the School Board.  Attend educational events and speak before a broad range of audiences.  Attend regular events and share information with other school districts.  Represent the District at public meetings. 
• Act as the building owner representative for major city and state initiatives.  Advocate at the city level to offset impacts of new legislation.

Other Functions:

• Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of this position.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Development of and presentation techniques
• Project management
• Collaborative problem solving
• Research and analysis techniques
• Energy, water, and waste conservation regulations and emerging trends
• Fiscal management practices and procedures
• Architecture and engineering
• Building codes and requirements
• Research techniques
• Funding opportunities
• Tracking methodologies
• Problem solving and decision making
• Oral and written communications
• Planning and organization
• Obtaining, clarifying, and exchanging information
• Operation of general office equipment
• Marketing and public relations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook
• Database maintenance and design
• Arc GIS
• Work with a variety of different people and agencies in a culturally diverse community
• Develop and monitor budgets
• Research, analyze, and produce data for presentations, written documents, and applicable reports
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Seek out funding opportunities
• Attend to detail and follow through
• Remain flexible and adapt to changing situations
• Provide training
• Coordinate multiple activities simultaneously

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning/Policy, Engineering, Urban Planning, Sustainability, Economics or related field.

Experience:

• Three (3) years of experience including program analysis, planning, development, and implementation of conservation plans.

Certifications & Licenses (Preferred):

• Building Operator Certification, Certified Energy Manager, Energy Management Certification, and/or LEED AP O+M credentials preferred.

Compensation