Conservation Program Specialist

Job Description:

Conservation Program Specialist

Description

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture, Business, Environmental Studies, Natural Science, Planning, and Resource Management or in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years of related experience.
• Masters degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.
• Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Drivers License.

• For Austin Water positions:
  
  
  • Must be TCEQ licensed irrigator or licensed irrigation inspector for Irrigation positions or obtain license within six (6) months of employment.
  • IREC certification for Mechanical, Plumbing, or Electrical is required if working in Program Compliance, Inspections or obtain license within six (6) months of employment

Notes to Applicants
The Conservation Program Specialist position will support the Austin Energy Residential Energy Efficiency Services team ( EES ). The EES team is responsible for administration of residential energy efficiency programs, including the Weatherization Assistance Program, the Home Energy Savings program, and the Appliance Efficiency Program.

This position has been designated as a Critical Employee position. Critical Employees are considered necessary and vital and supports activities that impact City or department operations. This work can be done while at a designated work site or while working at an alternate work location. Critical employees who are able to work at an alternative work location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified, and employees may be reassigned to another area during extraordinary situations or emergency conditions to provide essential services.

Working with Austin Energy provides a number of health and welfare benefits such as low-cost medical, dental, vision, paid leave time, a highly competitive retirement plan, career development opportunities and more. Please click HERE for more information.

Employment Application:

• The City of Austin employment application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered.
• The Employment Record should be complete with job titles, employment dates, job duties, functions, and responsibilities for each position held.
• Starting salary will be based on overall relevant experience from your application.
• Responses to the Supplemental Questions inquiring about experience should be reflected on application.
• Please be sure to detail on the application all current and previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• Résumés will not be accepted and statements such as “see résumé” will not be accepted. You may use “N/A” for fields that are not applicable.
• Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement. Once the job posting has closed, applications cannot be changed.

If you are selected as a top candidate:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) will be required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization/institution.
• If you are identified as a top candidate and are in the military or a veteran, you will need to provide a copy of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.
• This position requires a criminal background investigation.

Good Standing Employees
Employees, in Good Standing, who are candidates within the department/division that the position resides in and who meet the minimum and all of the preferred qualifications (if any) of the position will be included in the initial interview. Department/division employee must remain in Good Standing through the Top Candidate Selection phase at which time the Good Standing status will be re-verified.

VETERAN INTERVIEW PREFERENCE :
Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 verifying honorable discharge, at the time of initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference.

CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECK :
The top candidate will be subject to a minimum 7 year criminal history background check.

CLOSING OF REQUISITION :
Please note that Austin Energy may close the job posting at any time after 7 days from the date of the initial advertisement.

Driving Requirement:
This position requires a Valid Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months.
Pay Range
$27.41 - $33.30

Hours
Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Job Close Date 01/03/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Energy Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location 4815 Mueller Blvd, Austin TX 78723; Hybrid Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Experience working in residential, multifamily, or commercial energy efficiency programs
• Experience performing energy efficiency program, mechanical &/or electrical code inspections
• Currently hold an IRC Mechanical certification, or ability to obtain within (6) months
• Intermediate level of expertise in Microsoft Excel
• Experience performing energy efficiency program outreach

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Implements conservation programs in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. Gathers and analyzes historical energy or water usage data, including rates or tariffs to determine conservation recommendations for customers. Inspects or evaluates buildings, mechanical systems, electrical systems, water systems, or process systems to determine the energy or water consumption of each system. Recommends energy or water efficient technologies. Quantifies energy or water consumption to establish baselines for use and need. Calculates potential for savings. Prepares audit reports containing energy or water analysis results and recommendations for cost savings. Prepares job specification sheets for residential, commercial, or multi-family home energy or water improvements and retrofits. Educates customers and contractors on energy efficiency and answer questions on topics such as the costs of running household appliances and the selection of energy efficient appliances. Performs field audits, pre-verification and final inspections to determine customer eligibility for conservation rebates. Coordinates conservation program activities with contractors, ensures compliance with energy efficiency programs and rebate requirements. Promotes conservation programs to the public through on-site appointments and participating in outreach activities by attending trade shows, conferences, and other community events.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May lead departmental project teams.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of energy or water efficiency technologies, practices, programs and rebate requirements.
• Knowledge of applicable building codes, energy or water retrofit requirements and specifications.
• Knowledge of safety practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of department energy or water resource initiatives and targets.
• Knowledge of construction materials, practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Federal, State and Local laws.
• Knowledge of city practice, policy and procedures.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in handling multiple tasks and prioritizing.
• Skill in using computes and related software.
• Skill in data analysis and problem solving.
• Ability to negotiate.
• Ability to determining quality of materials, workmanship and compliance with specifications.
• Ability to handle conflict and uncertain situations.
• Ability to operate and maintain testing and diagnostic equipment.
• Ability to use graphic instructions, such as blue prints, schematic drawings, plans, maps or other visual aids.
• Ability to lead teams.
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with city employees and the public.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The Minimum Qualifications for the Conservation Program Specialist position requires graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in Architecture, Business, Environmental Studies, Natural Science, Planning, and Resource Management or in a field related to the job, plus four (4) years of related experience. A masters degree may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience. Experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these requirements?

• Yes
• No

* Please describe how you meet the minimum qualifications referenced above. Detail how you meet the educational requirements (if applicable), account for the years of related experience (if applicable), and explain any substitutions of experience for education, or vice-versa (if applicable).
(Open Ended Question)
* This position requires a valid driver’s license. Do you have a valid driver’s license or if selected for this position, do you have the ability to acquire a valid driver’s license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Describe your experience performing program outreach.
(Open Ended Question)
* Please describe your experience as a team member in a residential, multifamily, or commercial energy efficiency program.
(Open Ended Question)
* How many energy efficiency programs have you supported at one time?

• 0
• 1
• 2
• 3
• More than 3

* Which of the following best describes your proficiency with Microsoft Excel?

• Basic: create/edit simple spreadsheets, sort data, enter formulas
• Intermediate: create/edit spreadsheets, create charts/graphs from spreadsheet data, hide and unhide rows/columns, use basic functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT
• Advanced: develop complex spreadsheets, create charts/graphs/tables, import data from external databases, use AutoFilter to analyze data, use complex functions/formulas for math & logic equations
• Limited or no MS Excel experience, but proficiency with another spreadsheet application such as Lotus 1-2-3 or Apple Numbers
• No experience with Microsoft Excel

* Describe your experience performing Mechanical and/or Electrical Code inspections.
(Open Ended Question)
* Do you currently have an International Residential Code, Residential Mechanical certification? If not, would you be willing to obtain within 6 months of employment?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a criminal background investigation (CBI). By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Investigation.

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Optional Documents