Associate Director for Energy and Sustainability

Colorado Mesa University
Grand Junction, CO Full Time
POSTED ON 3/6/2024 CLOSED ON 4/14/2024

Job Posting for Associate Director for Energy and Sustainability at Colorado Mesa University

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSITION VACANCY
Associate Director for Energy and Sustainability

ABOUT THIS POSITION

Summary:
The Associate Director of Energy and Sustainability is the principal individual responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of campus energy and sustainability programs and serves as the campus’s primary point of contact for energy, waste, and water conservation. This individual oversees and analyzes all energy use on campus, ensuring all energy systems operate at optimal efficiency. The Associate Director of Energy and Sustainability leads campus energy conservation programs to advance sustainability in support of the university’s strategic master plan and develops strategies to help embed principles of sustainability in the areas of energy management and conservation. The Associate Director of Energy and Sustainability will be the key player in promoting CMU’s energy goals. 

The Associate Director of Energy and Sustainability performs benchmarking and retro-commissioning for operations of existing buildings: works with facilities to implement effective and innovative energy conservation measures and demand-side management strategies in all campus buildings and facilities; conducts energy assessments and site investigations; interprets engineering documents and drafts technical reports; provides technical support for project design and implementation to optimize operations and energy use of systems and equipment to achieve energy savings and optimal equipment operation. 

We are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
  • Provides technical expertise in the identification of operational performance improvements and implementation strategies through the development of university energy efficiency measures and program strategies.
  • Assist in the development of energy management standards and guidelines for operations, design, and construction to drive future efficiency through written policies and procedures.
  • Identifies opportunities for energy efficiency improvements/continuous commissioning in existing facilities through the process of auditing, inventorying, baselining, benchmarking, implementation management, and measurement and verification (M&V) to identify projects that result in energy savings, while avoiding future capital renewal expenses.
  • Identify and develop opportunities for the institution to qualify for renewable energy credits, greenhouse gas reduction credits and other credit markets.
  • Actively pursues energy grants and other alternative funding sources.
  • Manages university's utility tracking and billing tool to identify trends, abnormal operating characteristics, and develop corrective actions.
  • Produce annual university energy reports including benchmarking building and university performance against national and peer standards (AASHE).
  • Promotes and creates university awareness of energy efficiency and conservation programs and initiatives by preparing and delivering presentations and marketing energy efficiency programs on campus. 
  • Attends energy efficiency-related meetings and conferences through professional organizations on the local, State, and National levels.
  • Work with university and local business peers to stay abreast of new technologies and implement industry best practices.
  • Measures and documents all achievements and writes or participates in the development of communication materials.
  • ESTAR Portfolio Manager data entry and maintenance per state statutes and deadlines
OPERATIONS
  • Evaluate systems for effective energy usage and conservation; adjust, repair, replace as needed.
  • Modify existing systems and programs to create an optimum system of operation.
  • Perform database uploads and downloads to provide direct digital controllers with current programs.
  • Perform emergency corrections to neutralize alarm conditions and restore proper operation.
  • Review, modify, and implement programming changes to building automation system to ensure efficient and effective system operations and conformance with standards and guidelines.
  • Reconcile the University’s utility accounts on a monthly basis, manage utility accounts for new and removed properties, provide ad hoc utility reporting as requested, and manage rental utility billing accounts receivable
  • Dispatch trouble calls to appropriate personnel to respond to customer needs.
  • Perform backup and restoration of critical system files and maintenance archives.
  • Plan and manage building utility metering programs, from identifying metering needs, coordinating installation of new meters, and ultimately monitoring, collecting and trending meter data for analysis.
  • Monitor federal, state, and local utilities incentive for program efficacy.
  • Collaborate with faculty, staff and students to identify, research, and develop ways to incorporate energy conservation programs and sustainable practices into the operations of the University
  • Provide technical guidance and assistance for student related energy conservation and sustainability projects.
  • Respond promptly by phone or in person as appropriate to emergency situations and therefore must be available 24/7 or as required.
SUSTAINABILITY
  • Develop existing and initiate new programs to establish and strengthen sustainability principles and practices across the campus, while working to foster collaboration among the areas of teaching, research, campus operations, student life, and community service.
  • Collaborate and work with various administrators and departments to encourage and develop organizational, operational, and behavioral change and sustainable solutions.
  • Promote sustainability initiatives, projects, and programs on and off campus and communicate to all levels of the campus administration, faculty, staff and students, the goal and objectives of the universities strategic master plan and separate campus master plan.
  • Assist with coordinating and supporting public relations of university sustainability programs and initiatives including working with campus and local news offices, giving public presentations, leading campus sustainability tours, web content development, newsletters development of decarbonization and renewable energy strategies and strategic management of the campus utilities purchasing.
  • Directly develop, implement, and manage campus sustainability related projects and initiatives in the areas of energy and buildings, environmental quality, organics, purchasing, transportation, dining, waste and recycling, and water.
  • Attend professional meetings and conferences as appropriate; interfaces with other universities and external organizations to develop and enhance cooperative efforts.
  • Enroll the university in AASHE STARS reporting with the added responsibility to work across campus divisions to update STARS credits with current information on an ongoing basis, submit completed reports to AASHE every 3 years, and annually submit summaries.
  • Research and pursue new partnerships and memberships in support of campus sustainability goals.
  • Research and maintain working knowledge of best practices at peer institutions across the state and nation with regards to sustainability, energy, climate action and resilience.
  • Monitor and assess the progress and effectiveness of sustainability programs, projects, and endeavors against university goals and objects.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
  • Develop and review design standards and specifications for building energy and utility systems for new construction, including participation in LEED and Green Globes reviews.
  • Provide oversight of commissioning of new buildings and major renovation projects and re-commissioning of existing facilities
  • Provide technical direction and project management in the development of advanced energy systems integration projects, including faculty and student research projects related to microgrids, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.
  • Assures inclusion of energy efficiency means, methods, and materials in capital projects and assists contractors as required to resolve design and construction progress issues associated with energy efficiency by actively participating in capital project design and construction status reviews. 
  • Assists in the assembly of bid packages, writing requests for proposals (RFPs), and developing request for qualifications (RFQs) to execute projects on campus that support sustainability initiatives. Review bid packages and RFPs for projects on campus to ensure sustainability initiatives are considered in all projects and procurements.
  • Lead projects from requirements definition through deployment. To coordinate internal and external resources, ensuring projects remain within scope, schedule, and defined budgets. Establish and maintain relationships with appropriate stakeholders.
SUPERVISION AND STAFF DEVELOPMENT
  • Supervise 6 full time employees, numerous student employees and interns. 
  • Support training of maintenance personnel on initiatives implemented in their buildings / areas of responsibility.
  • Ensure policies and directions are interpreted, communicated, and implemented into daily activities within the unit.
  • Ensure compliance of employees with university established standards or procedures, practices, and/or policies, relevant laws, specific certifications, and collective bargaining agreements.
  • Develop programs and experiences designed to build morale and create a sense of team. 
  • Develop short-term and long-term goals for the staff, and appropriate and timely improvement plans with staff and managers.
  • Provide input on and conduct performance evaluations.
  • Review and approve requests for vacation, sick leave, and other excused periods away from work for assigned staff.
  • Promote and encourage an attitude of exemplary customer service and high integrity.
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & ABILITIES 
  • Regular and reliable attendance is required.
  • Working knowledge of the principals of administrative, personnel, and fiscal management.
  • Fluency with the use of standard office equipment (computers, copiers, phones, fax) and computer software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and database management, including institutional database systems.
  • Strong leadership skills and ability to listen perceptively, convey awareness, interpret feedback, and synthesize information.
  • Knowledge of methodologies, practices, and procedures associated with sustainability in higher education and general concepts of sustainability.
  • Knowledge of environmental and economic analysis, including the ability to perform cost benefit analysis.
  • Technical knowledge of sustainable practices in the areas of energy, water, waste streams, or operations
  • Ability to set priorities to ensure project goals and objectives are obtained within timelines and budgets.
  • Ability to apply and utilize various research methods and identify needed changes and improvements to program.
  • Knowledge of engineering practices and principles as well as common HVAC systems and emerging high-performance alternatives including geothermal
  • Ability to receive constructive feedback and consider new perspectives.
  • Ability to communicate, inform, and educate large or small audiences of diverse nature on issues related to area of expertise.
  • Ability to supervise and/or mentor college age individuals.
  • Ability to interpret technical procedures or regulations, write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
  • Ability to define problems, collect, and analyze data with abstract and concrete variables, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form. Ability to project consequences of various alternative courses of action.
  • Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high level of diplomacy and professionalism.
  • Ability to use tact and diplomacy to effectively handle a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities, and to respond appropriately to conflicts and problems.
  • Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
  • Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
  • Must be able to work occasional holidays and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.

Minimum Qualifications Required:
  • Bachelor's degree, preferably in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or another related engineering discipline.
  • 5 years of energy management experience including conducting energy audits and experience with operations of building/energy management and control systems, traditional and geo exchange HVAC systems, hot water boilers, chillers, and cooling towers
  • Demonstrated competence to coordinate, plan, design, and construct major capital construction and controlled maintenance projects. 
  • Knowledge of utility tariffs and rates.
  • Experience with geo exchange/geothermal energy systems.
  • Experience with energy and utility metering, including electrical, thermal (BTU), gas, and water meters.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Licensed professional engineer
  • Certified Energy Manager (CEM) Certification or ability to achieve such registration within one year of hire. 
  • Must be insurable under the university motor vehicle requirements.
  • Ability to mentor CMU/CU engineering students as interns

Salary: $75,000.00 - 85,000.00.  Commensurate with education and experience.  Excellent health and retirement benefits package: Click here for more information!

Department: Colorado Mesa University

Employment Type: Administrative

HOW TO APPLY

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled. For full consideration, complete applications must be received by 10/29/2023.

How to Apply: Applicants will be asked to complete an online application by creating a profile and then providing personal and demographic information.  In addition, please be prepared to upload a:
• Cover letter
• Resume
• Copy of Professional Licensure
• Include the name, phone number, email address and relationship of at least three professional references who can attest to your ability to perform the job you are applying for.  Professional references should include at least one current or former supervisor.  Professional reference may also include current or former employers, colleagues or other professionals who have first-hand knowledge and can recommend you for employment.
• Copy of transcripts for all degrees completed (if your transcripts include a social security number or birthdate, please redact that information before uploading the document.  Official transcripts will be required upon hire)

Direct Inquiries Contact: Kent W. Marsh, kmarsh3@coloradomesa.edu

ABOUT COLORADO MESA UNIVERSITY

Colorado Mesa University provides exceptional educational opportunities on a state-of-the-art campus located in Grand Junction. As western Colorado’s largest university, CMU serves students on its main campus in Grand Junction, its satellite campus in Montrose, its community college, Western Colorado Community College and via online offerings. Founded in 1925, it’s a dynamic university enrolling more than 11,000 students at the associate, baccalaureate and graduate levels.

At the heart of the CMU experience is an integrative and experiential approach to higher education that encourages students to think differently and empowers them to challenge assumptions. CMU brings students together with expert scholars and thinkers from different disciplines to make connections between ideas and gain the skills to solve the unstructured, complex problems they’ll encounter in life. Our focus is on providing quality academic programs, built on a strong liberal arts core that support students' interests and regional employment needs, as well as technical programs that respond to vocational workforce demands.

The Grand Valley is home to some of the best outdoor recreation in the state of Colorado and you won’t have to fight traffic and crowds to enjoy it. CMU is surrounded by the Grand Mesa, Book Cliffs and the Colorado National Monument. We have world-class mountain biking, rock climbing, hiking, and rafting.  In addition to a mountain resort that’s less than 45 minutes from campus for skiing, snowboarding and cross-country skiing. Living and working in Grand Junction, you will be able to explore one of Colorado’s best kept secrets.

Colorado Mesa University is particularly interested in candidates who have experience working with students from diverse backgrounds and who have a demonstrated commitment to improving the levels of access and success for underrepresented students within higher education.

Colorado Mesa University is committed to providing a safe and productive learning and living community.  To achieve that goal, we conduct background investigations for all final applicants being considered for employment.  Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial and/or motor vehicle history.  Applicant must be able to verify U.S. employment eligibility.  Colorado Mesa University is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse faculty, staff and student body.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment.  To request an accommodation, please contact the CMU Human Resources Office by phone or email.  You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed.  

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