Project Engineer I, Sustainability

About the role

LACCD is using bond funds to reduce energy use across nine college campuses through new lighting, upgraded central plants, solar, battery and microgrid installations, electric vehicle charging, building controls, and electrification of gas equipment. As part of the Sustainability Team, you will support project managers through every phase—planning, design, procurement, construction, testing, and closeout. You will answer contractor questions, conduct site inspections to verify work aligns with plans and state requirements, and manage documentation to ensure timely payments and project completion.

This role is ideal for someone with a few years of construction experience who wants to transition to owner-side work on energy projects. No prior sustainability background is required, but organization, site presence, and reliability are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and engineering support to project managers and the sustainability team throughout all project phases.
• Support the District’s energy initiatives, including efficiency upgrades, electrification, renewable power, and carbon reduction.
• Collaborate with project managers, architects, engineers, contractors, and District staff to resolve technical issues and answer contractor questions promptly and accurately.
• Maintain up-to-date plans and specifications, ensuring they are distributed to the correct parties.
• Verify that contractors update record drawings before each monthly payment is processed.
• Conduct site walks to confirm work complies with plans, College standards, and Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements.
• Document progress through daily reports, photographs, and notes.
• Log and track change order proposals, field orders, and approved change orders.
• Review submittals against plans and specifications, and assist with invoice reviews.
• Maintain project files and record drawings, and take minutes at project meetings.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in project or construction management on commercial, public, or educational buildings, with projects valued over $15M.
• A bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, business, construction management, or a related field (required).
• Comfort working on active construction sites and a habit of thorough documentation.

Preferred Qualifications

• Building Information Modeling (BIM) experience.
• Familiarity with the DSA design and construction approval process.
• Experience with energy or sustainability projects, such as lighting upgrades, solar, building controls, central plants, electric vehicle charging, or commissioning.
• Prior work on community college or K-12 campuses.