Energy Manager

About the role

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint. This position is responsible for the administration and operation of field and plant operations, focusing on delivering operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and environmental compliance underpinned by a focus on safety. As a Corporate Energy Manager, you will play a crucial role in optimizing energy usage and implementing sustainable practices within our organization. Your primary responsibility will be to develop and oversee energy conservation initiatives to reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and minimize our environmental footprint. This role combines technical expertise with strategic planning to achieve measurable outcomes in energy management.

Responsibilities

• Energy Audits and Assessments: Conduct regular audits (ASHRE Level 1, 2 & 3) to assess current energy consumption patterns and opportunities across assets using water, wastewater, and natural gas distribution industry best practices. Identify opportunities for improvement and recommend energy-efficient solutions and practices, including life cycle cost and return on investment analysis. Focus on pumping and operations efficiency for water and wastewater facilities, including wire-to-water analysis.
• Strategy Development: Develop comprehensive energy management strategies aligned with organizational goals and regulatory requirements. Establish short-term and long-term energy conservation goals and objectives related to both finance and carbon reduction.
• Implementation and Monitoring: Implement energy efficiency projects and initiatives, including upgrades to pumping and motors, control systems, and renewable energy integration. Apply for utility, state, and/or federal grants/rebates for energy improvement projects. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of implemented strategies and projects through Measurement & Verification (M&V).
• Data Analysis and Reporting: Analyze energy usage data to identify trends, anomalies, and areas for improvement. Prepare reports on energy consumption, savings achieved, and progress toward goals. Familiarity with greenhouse gas calculations and data requirements for Scope 1 & 2 emissions. Conduct additional operations data analytics and reporting as requested to support National Operations functions.
• Utility Billing and Information Management: Manage our bill management system with over 6,000 utility accounts, including report development, user administration, and training. Maintain the utility database for consistency and add new accounts as required. Review weekly utility billing statements for completeness and accuracy. Facilitate the development of web tools for data analysis and outreach.
• Financial Management and KPIs: Develop energy budgets for both budgeted cost and energy. Provide explanations for cost and usage variances. Develop metrics and KPIs for financial and operational goals. Manage and direct Peak Response and Demand Response programs.
• Stakeholder Collaboration and Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including facilities management, finance, and operations, to ensure alignment and support for energy management initiatives. Communicate strategies, progress, and outcomes to senior management and key stakeholders. Develop training programs and awareness campaigns to promote energy conservation practices among employees. Foster a culture of energy efficiency and sustainability within the organization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, or related field.
• 7 years of relevant experience.
• Certification as a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) or Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) or similar credential highly desirable.
• Proven experience in energy management, energy auditing, and implementation of energy conservation measures.
• Strong analytical skills and proficiency in data analysis tools and software. Advanced skills in Excel are required; experience in SQL is a plus.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Knowledge of on-site electrical generation options, renewable energy technologies, and sustainability best practices.
• Project management experience, including budgeting and scheduling.
• Ability to travel to different facilities or project sites across the U.S.
• Commitment to staying updated on industry trends and advancements in energy management.
• Experience with GIS and developing within SharePoint are beneficial.
• Understanding and use of AI Language and Data models to facilitate energy efficiency efforts and data analysis.

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities. Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status.