Energy Benchmarking Specialist

City of Evanston; United States; On-site; USD 54,374,000 - 76,126,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Evanston is seeking an Energy Benchmarking Specialist in the City Manager's Office to support application of the 2016 Energy & Water Benchmarking Ordinance and 2025 Healthy Buildings Ordinance. The role involves data management for 550+ buildings, stakeholder engagement, and public reporting.

Ideal candidates have degrees in energy/climate policy or related fields, strong Excel/Sheets skills, and GIS experience.

Qualifications

• Requires 1 year of data management experience with 500+ records.
• Experience with energy benchmarking programs preferred.
• Understanding of climate policy and urban planning concepts.
• Strong communication with diverse stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage benchmarking data for 550+ buildings.
• Prepare and present benchmarking reports to City bodies.
• Conduct outreach to increase program awareness and compliance.
• Staff benchmarking helpdesk and support inquiries.

Skills

Data analysis

Public speaking

Policy implementation

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Energy/Climate Policy or related field

Associate's degree or higher in construction or related field

Tools

Excel/Google Sheets

GIS/ArcGIS

Job description

• Position Type:
  City Manager`s Office/ Energy Benchmarking Specialist
• Date Posted:
  10/2/2026
• Location:
  Civic Center
• Date Available:
  TBD
• Closing Date:
  10/16/2026

SALARY RANGE: $39.470- $55.260/HOUR

*Starting salary is dependent upon qualifications, but in most cases is no higher than the midpoint for range.

NATURE OF WORK:

The City of Evanston has a long track record of leading nationally on climate action and social equity. This position has been created to support the implementation and enforcement of the 2016 Energy & Water Benchmarking Ordinance and 2025 Healthy Buildings Ordinance in order for the Evanston community to advance the goals outlined in the City's unanimously adopted 2018 Climate Action and Resilience Plan.

The Energy Benchmarking Specialist, under the guidance of the Sustainability & Resilience Manager, will contribute to ongoing policy implementation, engage with key stakeholders, and develop additional data analysis, programming, communications, and outreach materials to ensure successful implementation of the City's benchmarking efforts. Work assignments include qualitative and quantitative tasks conducted within short-term and long-term goal horizons requiring both collaborative and independent work styles.This role is full time, time limited and is currently funded through 2028. Employment beyond that timeframe is not guaranteed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS (Specific assignment will include some or all of the following):

Supports implementation and enforcement of the Energy and Water Benchmarking program

Manages and tracks benchmarking data for 550+ buildings in Evanston

Reports benchmarking information to the community

Generates benchmarking compliance reports for City Manager, City Council and other public bodies

Issues warnings and citations for benchmarking non-compliance

Develops and conducts communication and outreach directed at increasing benchmarking program awareness and compliance rate

Staffs the benchmarking helpdesk; serves as point of contact for all benchmarking-related inquiries

Provides staff support to the Healthy Buildings Accountability Board and the Healthy Buildings Technical Committee (meetings are often after normal work hours and on weekends.)

Develops trainings and information sessions for property owners and managers to comply with City ordinances related to building energy data and decarbonization

Identifies obstacles and solutions to program implementation and periodically evaluates program success.

Attends and presents information as needed at public meetings, including City Council, Environment Board, Utilities Commission, and relevant boards, committees and commissions (meetings are often after normal work hours and on weekends.)

Represents the City at external conferences; participates in relevant local, state, regional, national, and international networks

Acts on behalf of the Sustainability & Resilience Manager at their request or in their absence.

Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

Must possess a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Energy/Climate Policy, Environmental Policy, Urban Planning, Architecture, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field with at least 18 credit hours in quantitative analysis or environmental coursework, paired with a minimum of 1 year (12 months) of full-time professional or academic experience managing data sets of 500+ records using advanced Excel/Google Sheets and GIS mapping software.

OR

Must have an Associate's degree or higher in construction, a relevant trade, or a closely related field, plus at least 3 years (36 months) of full-time work experience in decarbonization, building science, project or facilities management, data science, data analytics, or statistics.

Experience with Energy Star Portfolio Manager preferred.

Experience with BEAM or Touchstone IQ benchmarking platforms preferred.

Must be willing and able to work in a position which is only funded in budget through 2028 and does not guarantee employment beyond that funding period.

Must be willing and able to attend evening and weekend meetings as needed.

Candidate should possess Knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

Knowledge and experience managing similar programs serving the public.

Passion for addressing climate change and advancing environmental justice, public health, and equity; derives joy from community impact and can relate how their work is tied to outcomes that make Evanston sustainable, equitable and healthy.

Understanding of the Evanston community and its environmental assets and hazards.

Ability to interact effectively with City staff, the public, and City boards and commissions.

Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing; including making presentations to a variety of audiences

Ability to provide excellent customer service and comfort communicating by phone, email, and in person with diverse people and communication styles.

Ability to identify, analyze, and problem solve, assisting internal and external partners in incorporating energy monitoring and reporting practices into the organization

Ability to provide effective project management oversight

Knowledge of municipal policy; the ability to assemble, analyze and organize critical data; ability to learn, understand, and incorporate city ordinances, rules, regulations and procedures into daily activities

Strong interpersonal skills and ability to motivate others and operate effectively in a team environment

Ability to use Internet search engines, word processing software, email and Microsoft Windows

Strong knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets to handle data manipulation, advanced functions and automation

Proficiency with GIS software, including ArcGIS. Ability to interpret and analyze spatial data; perform web mapping.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS OF WORK:

The ability to work in a sedentary position, occasionally using force to lift, carry or otherwise move objects normally found in an office setting. The employee is subject to inside and outside environmental conditions. Must be able to carry out property site visits; distribute and attach City materials and stickers.

SUPERVISION:

Works under the supervision of the Sustainability & Resilience Manager, who outlines work assignments and reviews work in progress and completed work.

Work is evaluated at least annually with respect to progress toward achieving goals, leadership, communication skills, customer service, ability to work productively and effectively with employees at all levels in the organization as well as elected and appointed officials, community groups and the general public.

PUBLIC CONTACT:

This position will support internal City of Evanston staff and communicate regularly with the general public. Collaborates closely with other departments to educate and assist in the implementation and enforcement of the benchmarking ordinance, as appropriate.

SELECTION METHOD

TYPE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST

LIFE OF ELIGIBILITY LIST

Structured Oral Interview

Chosen candidates will be required to provide proof of licenses, certifications, and education required for this position. Candidates will also be subject to qualifying pre-employment processes, including medical examination, drug/alcohol screen, employment verification, and criminal background check.

The City of Evanston is an equal opportunity employer and ensures against discrimination in employment on the basis of a person's race, color, sex, age, religion, disability, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, military discharge status, source of income, housing status, or gender identity. The City of Evanston is also committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. Any person needing mobility or communications access assistance should contact Human Resources at 847-448-8204 (voice) or 847-866-5095 (TTY).