MEP Engineer/ Commissioning Specialist

The U.S. Green Building Council, a Washington, DC-based national nonprofit organization of over 20,000 corporate and organizational members from every sector of the building industry united to transform the building marketplace to sustainability, is currently seeking a green building expert with superior knowledge of broad technical systems and industry comprehension to support the LEED Resource Development team and the development of the LEED Green Building Rating System.

Position Overview:

The MEP Engineer / Commissioning Specialist will serve as an in-house MEP subject matter expert for USGBC and its teams that develop and support the LEED Green Building Rating System.  This individual will draw on detailed engineering knowledge and direct professional experience to help resolve issues in and optimize technical content of all LEED programs. The individual is well-versed in both standard practices and high-performance, market-leading industry practices in the commercial buildings sector.

The 3 essential characteristics needed are:

• Broad technical knowledge of building systems, assemblies, materials, and standards relevant to designing, installation, and testing of mechanical/HVAC systems, and ideally electrical and plumbing systems as well
• Business knowledge of market organizations, institutions, relationships, and practices, and the opportunities and constraints arising therein
• Problem-solving skills, including investigation, analysis, research, coordination, and final assessment

*This position will be stationed in USGBC's Washington, DC headquarters.

Responsibilities:

• Serve as internal subject matter expert on engineering of MEP systems in commercial buildings for USGBC staff that deal with technical LEED issues
• Help resolve advanced technical issues related involving all LEED support tools and resources, including LEED Online, Reference guides, LEED credit language, etc.
• Assist in determining which issues need to be run through LEED's formal interpretation process and which do not
• Handle escalated advanced technical customer service inquiries
• Assist in conceiving and developing improvements to LEED based on technical knowledge, industry experience, and user feedback
• Liaise with USGBC Research team, USGBC Education team, GBCI, LEED consultants, and other internal and external groups as needed
• Support technical issue resolution within LEED volunteer committees, e.g. Technical Advisory Groups, Implementation Advisory Committee
• Assist LEED senior management in developing and refining the strategic direction of LEED based on technical industry developments, market conditions, and political developments
• Maintain currency of expertise by staying abreast of new and developing industry issues and trends
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Mimimum Required Qualifications/Skills:

• Minimum 6 years direct engineering field experience specializing in design, installation oversight, and/or testing of HVAC systems in commercial buildings. At least 3 years of direct responsibility for producing or signing off on formal project documents of record. Suitable candidates include HVAC designers, commissioning agents, or similar fields.
• Detailed technical understanding of and experience achieving compliance with common MEP engineering building codes and standards, e.g., ASHRAE 90.1, ASHRAE 62, ASHRAE 55, UPC/IPC 2006, California Title 24, IECC, IESNA.
• Types of work experience shall include determining end-use customer requirements, assessing optimum system and component design, performing load calculations, equipment sizing, developing efficiency requirements, estimation of annual energy and water use, producing system drawings and specifications, development of local manual, automatic, and/or supervisory controls, and development of operating manuals.
• Broad experience overseeing work in diverse types of commercial building design and construction, plus deep experience in the production of detailed technical documents of record of diverse types of engineering systems
• Knowledge of various government policies and programs related to buildings, e.g. EPACT, EPA Energy Star
• Excellent engineering judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills - knowing how much research or exploration of an issue is needed to form an acceptable solution, and which perspectives must be considered
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work well both independently and on teams
• A bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field is required. A master's degree in a relevant engineering field is optional but can substitute for 2 years of the professional experience requirement.

Preferred Additional Qualifications/Skills:

• Currently licensed Professional Engineer in good standing
• Engineering experience related to design, installation, and/or testing of electrical/lighting and/or plumbing systems
• Relevant experience in a variety of high-performance building projects, especially LEED projects.
• Specialization in a high-performance building attribute such as energy efficiency, water efficiency, materials efficiency, indoor environmental quality, etc.
• Advanced understanding and ability to review/analyze detailed energy models, energy audits, and building performance metrics.
• LEED-AP status
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in MS Office suite
• Passion for and commitment to USGBC mission

Compensation: Compensation includes an excellent benefits package, including 100% employer-paid premiums on healthcare and employer-matching 401(k) program.

To Apply: 

Please submit resume and letter of interest, with salary requirements and title of position applying for, via email or fax, attn: Human Resources. Please indicate where you saw the posting for this opportunity. No phone calls please.