Energy Programs Manager

About the role

Under the general supervision of the Sustainability Program Manager, performs responsible professional and technical program management work in planning, implementing, and administering the City’s municipal energy management, utility tracking and green building programs.

Responsibilities

• Manages the City’s municipal energy and utility tracking program, including administration of energy benchmarking and utility management software, compilation and analysis of utility consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost data across City facilities, and preparation of regular performance reports for internal use and public accountability.
• Conducts energy audits, analyses, and evaluations of City facilities and operations; identifies opportunities for improving energy and building performance and reducing utility costs; develops prioritized recommendations for energy, building performance, and cost saving improvements; and presents findings to the Sustainability Program Manager and departmental staff.
• Captures and analyzes utility and energy performance data and translates findings into actionable recommendations and clear written and oral communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Manages planning, procurement support, and performance monitoring for renewable energy and distributed energy projects at municipal facilities, including solar photovoltaics, battery storage, and other clean energy technologies; coordinates with vendors, utilities, and City staff through project implementation.
• Administers the City’s Green Building Policy, including coordinating development plan reviews, providing technical guidance to applicants and City staff, tracking compliance, maintaining program documentation, and supporting reporting, monitoring, and continuous improvement of policy implementation.
• Monitors state and federal green building standards, building performance requirements, and energy codes for applicability to City operations and development review; prepares technical summaries and implementation guidance for staff.
• Identifies, pursues, and manages grants, rebates, incentives, and partnership opportunities in the energy, green building, and clean transportation domains; prepares grant applications and administers awarded grants in accordance with program requirements, including reporting and compliance documentation.
• Supports implementation of the City's electric vehicle readiness and fleet electrification programs, including charging infrastructure planning, coordination with Fleet Services, and tracking of relevant incentive programs.
• Prepares staff reports, memoranda, presentations, and public-facing materials related to energy programs; represents the division at public meetings, community events, and technical forums as assigned.
• Supports public outreach, educational programming, and stakeholder engagement activities related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in energy program management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, utility management, green building, or a closely related area; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and technologies related to municipal energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, building electrification, and climate mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of utility management practices, including energy benchmarking methodologies, building performance tracking, utility rate analysis, and energy conservation strategies applicable to municipal facilities and operations.
• Knowledge of green building design principles, green building rating systems, and building performance standards, and their application in a local government development review and capital improvement context.
• Knowledge of current issues, trends, and applicable federal, state, and local energy and sustainability-related programs, laws, regulations, and regulatory processes, including Virginia-specific energy policy and utility regulatory framework.
• Knowledge of grant program administration, including application development, award management, compliance reporting, and contractor oversight.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret utility and energy performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations and clear written and oral communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, develop and adhere to implementation schedules, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff across departments, elected and appointed officials, utilities, contractors, developers, and members of the public.
• Ability to prepare and deliver clear and effective presentations, staff reports, technical guidance documents, and public-facing materials.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment within established policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with utility management and benchmarking software platforms.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field; and five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in energy program management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, utility management, green building, or a closely related area; or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Skills

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and technologies related to municipal energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, building electrification, and climate mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of utility management practices, including energy benchmarking methodologies, building performance tracking, utility rate analysis, and energy conservation strategies applicable to municipal facilities and operations.
• Knowledge of green building design principles, green building rating systems, and building performance standards, and their application in a local government development review and capital improvement context.
• Knowledge of current issues, trends, and applicable federal, state, and local energy and sustainability-related programs, laws, regulations, and regulatory processes, including Virginia-specific energy policy and utility regulatory framework.
• Knowledge of grant program administration, including application development, award management, compliance reporting, and contractor oversight.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret utility and energy performance data and translate findings into actionable recommendations and clear written and oral communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, develop and adhere to implementation schedules, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff across departments, elected and appointed officials, utilities, contractors, developers, and members of the public.
• Ability to prepare and deliver clear and effective presentations, staff reports, technical guidance documents, and public-facing materials.
• Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment within established policies and procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; familiarity with utility management and benchmarking software platforms.

Benefits

The City of Fairfax offers comprehensive benefits to our employees. Read more about our Benefits here.