Associate, Projects Division: Clean Energy, Solar and Electrification

Association for Energy Affordability, Inc.; Santa Barbara (CA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

Association for Energy Affordability, Inc. (AEA) is hiring a Project Associate for the West Coast to join our team of energy geeks. The role focuses on energy audits, modeling, and managing energy retrofit projects for multifamily buildings within the Central Coast region.

You will work in a hybrid setting with some in-person field work and travel within California as needed. You will gather field data, develop cost and emissions analyses, and collaborate with owners, architects, and contractors

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, building science, or energy conservation preferred or an Associate Degree with energy experience.
• Two years of prior related experience.
• Excellent communication, organization, presentation, and analytical skills.
• The title includes Associate I and Associate II levels reflecting experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct energy audits and in-field assessments, on-site diagnostics, field data collection and analysis, and energy feasibility analyses.
• Perform energy modeling and building simulations.
• Prepare energy and green building assessment reports with equipment specs and cost & emissions reduction analysis.
• Job costing, construction feasibility, and contractor bid walks.
• Coordinate with building owners, architects, and decision makers on energy upgrades.
• Site visits to inspect progress; LEED, Green Point, and HERS consulting;
• Perform commissioning and retro-commissioning studies.
• Conduct training on energy efficiency technologies and decarbonized building operations.
• Work on national projects to develop industry standards and guidelines.

Skills

Energy audits

Energy modeling

Project management

Communication

Analytical skills

LEED consulting

Field work

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/building science

Associate Degree with energy experience

Tools

MS Office

EnergyPro

CBECC-COM/RES

EnergyPlus

CSE programs

Slack

Teams

Job description

Job Title: Associate, Projects Division: Clean Energy, Solar and Electrification

Primary Work Location: Hybrid

• Up to 2 days a week in person at Santa Barbara coworking space
• Within 25 miles of Downtown Santa Barbara
• In-person field work - candidates must have the ability to travel within the greater Central Coast region by car

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Projected Salary Range: $65,000 - $83,750/year

Overview:

The Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) is a rapidly growing nonprofit energy services and training organization dedicated to achieving energy efficiency in buildings to foster and maintain affordable and healthy housing and communities. Energy consulting services are completed through AEA’s participation in a variety of federal, state, and local energy efficiency initiatives. AEA is a New York based organization, with over 30 years of industry experience and has been operating a West Coast office since 2010. For more information about AEA, see http://www.aea.us.org.

Position Summary:

AEA West is seeking a Project Associate to join our tight-knit, talented team of “Energy Geeks”. The candidate must be passionate about energy efficiency and green building, highly organized, and have strength in construction project management. The candidate will perform energy audits and modeling, as well as assist property owners through complex energy retrofit projects. If you are passionate about building decarbonization, electrification, energy conservation, and renewable energy; you love buildings; and you’re seeking to learn from an experienced team in a hands-on environment, then this is the place for you.

Project Associates will conduct energy audits and green building assessments of multifamily buildings; perform cost and constructability feasibility analyses for those buildings; will design and manage retrofit projects for building owners; and will coordinate with internal and external team members to meet program goals. Candidates will engage in field and remote data collection, building diagnostics, research, data analysis, job costing, and construction feasibility, energy modeling, and report production as needed to complete a range of project types. They are expected to be a self-starter, an independent problem solver, and a strong team-player.

AEA is hiring for primary work locations based within 20 miles of Downtown Los Angeles. Candidates located outside of these boundaries in the greater Los Angeles region may also be considered. Candidates must have the ability to travel within California upon request.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

An Associate may be expected to assist with:

• Conducting energy audits and in-field energy assessments, on-site diagnostics, field data collection and analysis, and renewable energy feasibility assessments.
• Performing energy modeling and building simulations.
• Preparing energy and green building assessment reports based on analytic findings which include detailed equipment specifications and cost & emissions reduction analysis.
• Job costing, construction feasibility, and contractor bid walks
• Working with building owners, architects, and other decision makers to successfully incorporate energy efficiency, electrification, and renewable upgrades in their projects.
• Construction site visits to inspect in progress and completed work.
• Performing LEED, Green Point Rated and HERS consulting services.
• Performing commissioning and retro-commissioning studies.
• Conducting training both internally and publicly on energy efficiency technologies, energy auditing principles, and decarbonized building operations.
• Working on national projects to help develop industry standards and guidelines.

These job responsibilities may be revised over time to ensure the functional responsiveness of the Project Associate to AEA and Federal and California State program requirements.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, building science, or energy conservation preferred or an Associate Degree with either on-the-job or trades experience in energy conservation, renewable energy, and energy audits.
• Two (2) years of prior experience in a related role.
• Excellent communication, organization, presentation, and analytical skills.
• The “Associate, Projects” title includes two position levels: “Associate I” and “Associate II,” which reflect the amount of relevant prior experience a candidate may have.

Additional Desirable Qualifications:

• Sound technical writing skills and experience.
• Proficiency in MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PPT); collaboration platforms like Slack and Teams, and any other software/platforms used.
• Knowledge of building systems including mechanical systems, lighting technologies, and building envelope.
• Basic knowledge and understanding of CA Title 24 and other building codes.
• Familiarity with local, state and federal building energy incentive and rebate programs.
• Experience managing construction, retrofit, and/or solar projects
• Ability to perform cost savings analyses and fuel data analyses.
• Home Energy Rating Systems (HERS and HERS II) rater certification.
• Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification.
• Experience with the use of energy modeling software i.e., EnergyPro, CBECC-Com & -Res, EnergyPlus, and CSE programs.

Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, alienage or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, disability, military status, veteran status, or predisposing genetic characteristics. AEA does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For more information on the physical requirements of this position and/or if you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Human Resources at 718-292-6733 ext. 8265.

We maintain an inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to contribute and help us innovate and encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply to our roles

AEA offers excellent benefits, including medical/dental/vision, commuter plan, 401(k) w/matching contribution, generous PTO, educational assistance, and paid parental leave. We are also an eligible employer for student loan forgiveness.