Festival Hydro Energy Program Specialist

The MEARIE Group; Stratford; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Festival Hydro in Ontario is seeking an Energy Program Specialist to advance demand-side management and conservation initiatives funded by IESO. The role blends technical energy analysis, program administration and customer engagement to identify practical energy savings across facilities.

You will review data, support site assessments, guide incentive processes and help strengthen program performance and compliance for current and future streams.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in mechanical/energy systems or related field.
• Experience with energy efficiency, building systems or utility programs.
• Ability to interpret electricity data, demand profiles and equipment specs.
• Strong communication and customer-engagement skills.
• Willingness to travel to customer sites.

Responsibilities

• Support outreach and engagement for Save on Energy and IESO programs.
• Assist site visits and energy-opportunity assessments.
• Review HVAC, pumps, lighting, motors and controls.
• Analyze interval consumption and schedules for energy savings.
• Support incentive applications and project implementation.
• Track budgets, KPIs and participation.
• Coordinate reporting and compliance with IESO requirements.

Skills

Energy program coordination

Customer engagement

Data interpretation

Project coordination

Excel proficiency

Communication and presentation

Ability to travel

Education

Mechanical/energy engineering degree or diploma

Tools

CRM systems

Energy-analysis tools

Building-automation tools

Data visualization tools

Job description

Energy Program Specialist

The Opportunity

Festival Hydro is seeking a motivated, technically capable and customer-focused professional to join our team. This role supports the delivery of electricity demand-side management (eDSM) initiatives and conservation programs funded through Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) framework, including Save on Energy programs.

The successful candidate will combine technical energy analysis, program administration and customer engagement to identify practical energy-efficiency opportunities across customer facilities. The role will review electricity-use data and equipment information, support site assessments, evaluate potential projects, guide customers through available incentives and help Festival Hydro strengthen program performance, compliance and future Stream 2 readiness.

Key Responsibilities

• Support customer outreach and engagement to identify opportunities through Save on Energy and other IESO-funded programs.
• Conduct or support customer site visits and preliminary energy-opportunity assessments.
• Review major electricity-consuming systems, including HVAC, compressed air, pumps, motors, refrigeration, lighting, building automation, controls and industrial process equipment.
• Analyze interval consumption, demand profiles, operating schedules and equipment information to identify energy-saving and peak-demand reduction opportunities.
• Perform or review preliminary energy-savings, demand-reduction, incentive, project-cost and simple-payback calculations.
• Guide customers through incentive applications, project implementation and energy action planning.
• Promote participation across residential, commercial, industrial and institutional customer classes.
• Track program budgets, key performance indicators, customer participation, project status and verified energy savings.
• Coordinate reporting, compliance and documentation requirements to maintain alignment with IESO program requirements.
• Support the development and execution of annual eDSM plans, budgets, forecasts and performance-tracking frameworks.
• Assist with future eDSM Stream 2 planning through customer data analysis, stakeholder engagement, business-case support and identification of local program opportunities.
• Develop and implement marketing and communication activities that promote energy-efficiency programs and conservation initiatives.
• Collaborate with internal teams, industry peers, IESO representatives, LDC working groups and other stakeholders.
• Participate in training, webinars, industry events and collaboration opportunities to maintain current knowledge of evolving programs, technologies and requirements.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in mechanical engineering, mechanical engineering technology, energy systems, building systems, electrical engineering, environmental engineering, energy management or a related technical field. A mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology background is preferred. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience will be considered.
• Experience in one or more of the following: energy efficiency, mechanical or building systems, industrial equipment, energy auditing, facility operations, utility programs, demand-side management, project coordination, technical sales or customer-facing technical advisory work.
• Working knowledge of one or more energy-consuming systems, including HVAC, compressed air, motors, pumps, refrigeration, lighting, controls or industrial process equipment.
• Ability to interpret electricity-use and interval data, demand profiles, operating information, equipment specifications, quotations, engineering calculations and technical reports.
• Ability to perform preliminary energy-savings, demand-reduction, incentive and financial calculations using spreadsheets or similar analytical tools.
• Strong customer engagement, communication, presentation and relationship-building skills, including the ability to explain technical and program information clearly to varied audiences.
• Demonstrated initiative in identifying opportunities, following up on leads and helping move projects from initial discussion toward implementation.
• Ability to manage multiple customer opportunities, projects, priorities, deadlines and reporting requirements with strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel. Experience with CRM, energy-analysis, building-automation or data-visualization tools is considered an asset.
• Knowledge of Ontario utility programs, Save on Energy offerings, IESO conservation frameworks or local distribution company operations is considered an asset.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to customer sites within the service territory and attend occasional industry events.

Additional Assets

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), Certified Measurement & Verification Professional (CMVP), Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), or another relevant energy, building systems or engineering designation.
• Willingness to pursue an appropriate professional or industry certification.
• Eligibility for registration with Professional Engineers Ontario or the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists.
• Experience conducting facility assessments, equipment reviews, commissioning activities or customer site visits.
• Familiarity with measurement and verification principles, energy baselines, energy modelling or business-case development.
• Experience working with commercial, industrial, institutional or municipal facilities.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $93,000 per year, based on qualifications, experience, skills, and internal equity considerations.

Recruitment and Selection Process

Festival Hydro is committed to providing an inclusive, accessible, and equitable recruitment process. Accommodations are available throughout all stages of the hiring process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Candidates requiring accommodation are encouraged to advise Human Resources.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Festival Hydro does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or make hiring decisions for applicants. All applications are reviewed and evaluated by members of our hiring team based on the qualifications, skills, experience, and requirements outlined in the position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Festival Hydro is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and are committed to fostering a respectful and supportive work environment where employees can thrive.