Director-Sustainability & Energy Management

City Colleges of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 81,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City Colleges of Chicago seeks a Director of Sustainability and Energy Management to lead district-wide sustainability and energy initiatives. You will coordinate with facility managers, engineers, staff and student groups to advance environmental goals across campuses.

The role involves managing utility contracts, pursuing grants, and directing retro-commissioning projects to improve energy efficiency. Strong collaboration and project-management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, or related field, plus at least four years of relevant experience; Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience with sustainability and energy management programs in higher education or public institutions.
• Knowledge of sustainability issues, best practices, and commitment to institutional sustainability.
• Understanding of facilities management, building systems, and operations in higher education or similar.
• Knowledge and experience in building commissioning and retro-commissioning.
• Project management skills for retro-commissioning projects of varying scope and complexity.

Responsibilities

• Develops and implements a district-wide sustainability plan with input from key stakeholders.
• Manages the District’s utility contracts (gas, water, electricity) and analyzes usage and rates.
• Leads the District’s participation in utility curtailment programs and energy-reduction goals.
• Researches grants and funding opportunities; prepares applications with Institutional Advancement.
• Manages landscaping and waste/recycling contracts; monitors vendor performance and payments.
• Oversees environmental consulting contracts (water testing, asbestos abatement, etc.).
• Acts as project manager for capital improvement projects related to retro-commissioning of HVAC systems.
• Provides sustainability expertise to project managers for new construction and commissioning of facilities.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Presentation skills

Project management

Collaborative work

Time management

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Management/Sustainability/Urban Planning

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft 365

Job description

Since 1911, City Colleges of Chicago has been connectingstudents from across Chicago’s neighborhoods to economicopportunity. By offering a quality education at an unprecedentedvalue, City Colleges provides our students and alumni with apathway to upward mobility. City Colleges of Chicago is the city’smost accessible higher education engine of socioeconomic mobilityand racial equity—empowering its students to take part in buildinga stronger and more just city. As Illinois’ largest communitycollege system, City Colleges is comprised of seven colleges andfive satellite sites across Chicago.

Administrative and Procurement Services provides support service toCCC system-wide. Administrative and Procurement Services providescoordination, monitoring, and leadership in the areas of FacilitiesMaintenance and Usage, Construction and Renovation, PlantManagement, Auxiliary Services, Sustainability, Capital Planningand Development, Capital Facilities Funding, Safety and Security,Procurement of Goods and Services, Minority and Women-OwnedBusiness Utilization Program, Mail Services, and ReprographicsServices and Copy Centers.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Capital Planningand Construction, the Director of Sustainability and EnergyManagement ensures CCC’s compliance with all sustainability andenergy performance related reporting requirements and providesexpertise and leadership in developing strategies and implementinginitiatives that advance the District’s sustainability and energyefficiency goals. As the District’s lead resource for allsustainability initiatives, the position works closely withfacility managers and engineers, administrative and academic staff,and student organizations to support City Colleges’ ongoingcommitment to sustainable practices, including environmentalmanagement, energy efficient facilities, recycling, andconservation awareness. Performs related duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Develops and implements a District-wide sustainability plan.Works collaboratively with key stakeholders to identifyopportunities and to develop strategies and programs forsustainability initiatives. Researches best practices used in thepublic and private sector for ideas and concepts to support theDistrict’s sustainability goals.
• Manages the District’s contracts with utility providers (gas,water, electricity). Conducts in-depth analysis of utility usageand energy consumption levels, researches trends in utility rates,and develops building /campus energy consumption models andbaselines. Makes recommendations for negotiating contractagreements on utility rates based on data.
• Leads the District’s participation in utility curtailmentprograms, reviewing program guidelines and identifyingopportunities to maximize potential utility rebates. Confers withutility vendors and building engineers to establish energyefficiency/reduction goals and manages the energy reductionprocess.
• Researches potential grants and other funding sources andidentifies opportunities for external funding for sustainableinitiatives and energy incentives. Prepares grant and fundingapplications in collaboration with the Office of InstitutionalAdvancement.
• Manages the District’s landscaping contract, ensuring contract’sscope of services includes sustainable landscape managementpractices and promotes a green campus environment. Coordinates withProcurement Services in awarding of contract, monitoring vendorperformance across campuses, and approving contract payments.
• Manages the District’s waste hauling contract and recyclinginitiative. Coordinates reporting with waste haulers, tracksrecycled quantities for rebates and billing purposes, and workswith building engineers and custodial staff on pollution preventioninitiatives.
• Manages district-wide contracts for environmental consultingservices (e.g., water testing, asbestos abatement, chemicaldisposal, etc.).
• Serves as project manager for capital improvement projectsrelated to retro-commissioning of HVAC systems and equipment to improve building energy efficiency. Manages contract’s life cycleincluding preparing scope of services; reviewing specifications;selection of contractors; conferring with contractors and ChiefEngineers on progress; and ensuring all requirements are met.
• Provides expertise on sustainability and energy efficiencyresources to project managers responsible for new construction,commissioning, and retro-commissioning of facilities, systems, andequipment. including building automation systems.
• Works with Chief Engineers to reduce energy usage including useof building automation systems, occupancy sensors, variable speedcontrols and other energy use tools.
• Works with Academic Affairs/Student Services and studentenvironmental groups and organizations to plan and coordinatevarious green activities and events and promote sustainablepractices, such as recycling, bicycling, waste reduction, andenergy monitoring, across campuses.
• Advocates for integrating best practices in sustainability andenergy use in the operations of campus facilities, incorporatinggreen space across campuses, and including environmentalstewardship goals in the District’s strategic plan.
• Maintains records and prepares various management reports andrequired annual reports on sustainability initiatives, status ofenergy efficiency/conservation programs, recycling and wastereduction, and related sustainability and environmentalissues.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Reports To

E executive Director-Capital Planning & Construction

Direct Supervision

None

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Environmental Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, or a related field, supplemented by a minimum of four years of progressively responsible relevant experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• Work experience with sustainability and energy management programs in a higher education or public institution setting highly desirable
• Knowledge of sustainability issues and best practices and commitment to institutional and societal sustainability.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of facilities management, building systems, and operations within higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• Knowledge and experience in building commissioning and retro-commissioning process.
• Project management skills with the ability to manage retro-commissioning projects of varying scope and complexity, establish priorities, manage timelines, and achieve desired outcomes.
• Excellent verbal, written and presentation skills with the ability to communicate technical information effectively to diverse audiences.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, contractors, faculty, students and other internal and external stakeholders to build partnerships.
• Ability to travel across the District to campuses and satellite sites as required.
• Ability and willingness to work weekends and evenings as required.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Salary Range

$80,717 - $90,000

Benefits information is found at https://www.ccc.edu/departments/Benefits/

WE OFFER

Excellent health and welfare benefit package andlong-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) &457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the StateUniversity Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation,holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For amore detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits pageof our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6months of hire. Thank you for your interest in CCC!

Additional Information

• Salary Range: $80,717 - $90,000