Building Energy Efficiency Programs Policy Advisor, Existing Buildings Track

Company: 

City of New York, Mayor’s Office of Sustainability

Location: 

New York, NY

The Mayor’s Office of Sustainability (MOS) is responsible for developing policies and programs to enhance the near-term and long-term sustainability of the City of New York, as outlined in the City’s sustainability plan: One New York 2050: Building a Strong and Fair City (OneNYC). MOS is responsible for overseeing the goals outlined in OneNYC to make New York City the most sustainable large city in the world; achieve carbon neutrality; achieve Zero Waste to landfill by 2030; and improve New York City’s air quality. MOS promotes the integration of sustainability goals and practices into the work of City agencies and the lives of New Yorkers.

In 2015 the City launched the NYC Retrofit Accelerator, a program that offers personalized assistance for stakeholders in privately-owned buildings to complete energy efficiency, water conservation, and clean energy upgrades. The NYC Retrofit Accelerator focuses primarily on large buildings that are subject to the City’s building energy local laws. In addition, in 2015 the City launched Community Retrofit NYC, a program that is focused on providing assistance to owners of small- and mid-sized multifamily buildings in Central Brooklyn, while connecting them to the City’s Green Housing Preservation Program.

In 2019, the City will launch an expanded NYC Building Energy Efficiency Program. This will encompass multiple tracks, including an Existing Buildings Track and a High Performance Retrofit Track – both of which builds off of the NYC Retrofit Accelerator, a Neighborhood Focus Track that builds off of – and expands – Community Retrofit NYC, and a New Buildings Track.  The Existing Buildings Track, the largest track of the program, will work to complete at least one energy or water conservation measure in 4,500 buildings between 2019 and 2021.  This program will employ a data-driven targeting approach to identify private buildings larger than 25,000 square feet that have greatest opportunity or need to complete a building retrofit.  The program goal is that at least 60% of the program pipeline focus on the City’s affordable housing stock. 

The MOS seeks to hire a Policy Advisor to support the development and implementation of the new NYC Building Energy Efficiency Program, Existing Buildings Track.  This Policy Advisor will help to supervise the implementation consultant, with a focus on the Existing Buildings track and will be responsible for high-level strategic development of this track and the management of contractors.  This person will support the development of the program targeting strategy, outreach policies, and marketing and educational materials, ensuring that the program stays on track to meet stated goals. The job tasks include management and quality control of deliverables, maintaining relationships with external and internal stakeholders, communicating programmatic progress to internal and external stakeholders, and coordination of events and meetings for the full program.  The candidate will also be responsible for tracking the program budget, timely processing of invoices, and procurement and administrative processes with DEP, the Mayor’s Office and partner agencies.    The Policy Advisor will play a key role in coordinating between utilities and state agencies to align efforts to deliver financial incentives to buildings performing retrofits. 

The position will be housed at MOS. The selected candidate will work closely with the Buildings and Energy Efficiency Team.

Under direction, with wide latitude for the exercise of independent judgment and initiative, performs tasks including:

• Contribute to the strategic development and targeting strategy for the Building Energy Efficiency Program, with particular focus on the Existing Buildings Track.
• Supervise the contractor responsible for implementing the Existing Buildings Track, including tracking and quality control of program deliverables.
• Develop the data-driven Existing Buildings Track outreach policies, and marketing and educational materials, ensuring that the program stays on track to meet stated goals. 
• Maintain records and prepare reports detailing Existing Buildings Track program progress.
• Track program budget, process invoices, lead procurement and administrative processes with Mayor’s Office, DEP and other City agencies.
• Assist NYC Mayor’s Office of Sustainability staff to represent the City and the program at appropriate meetings, presentations, and other public forums as well as coordinate on communications related to the Existing Buildings Track, particularly regarding incentive programs.
• Support MOS staff with policy analysis and development to implement initiatives outlined in New York City's Roadmap to 80 x 50, 1.5 Aligning with the Paris Climate Agreement, and any other commitments.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that may be required for the selected candidate to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to handle or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is regularly required to attend meetings, trainings or other similar engagement, on-site and off-site.  The employee may be required to move about on foot or by vehicle to accomplish tasks.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.

WORKING INSTRUMENTS 
Desk and lap top computers, telephone, copier, scanner, printers, calculator, smart phone and using related Microsoft product software (Word, Access, Excel, etc.).
Minimum Qual Requirements
1.  For Assignment Level I (only physical, biological and environmental sciences and public health) A master's degree from an accredited college or university with a specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological or environmental science or in public health.
To be appointed to Assignment Level II and above, candidates must have:
1. A doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and one year of full-time experience in a responsible supervisory, administrative or research capacity in the appropriate field of specialization; or
2. A master's degree from an accredited college or university with specialization in an appropriate field of physical, biological, environmental or social science and three years of responsible full-time research experience in the appropriate field of specialization; or
3. Education and/or experience which is equivalent to "1" or "2" above. However, all candidates must have at least a master's degree in an appropriate field of specialization and at least two years of experience described in "2" above. Two years as a City Research Scientist Level I can be substituted for the experience required in "1" and "2" above.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Appointments to this position are subject to a minimum probationary period of one year.

PREFERRED SKILLS
• A master’s degree from an accredited college in Architecture, Engineering, Economics, Environmental Science, Political Science, Public Administration, Business Administration, Statistics, Urban Planning, Real Estate or a closely related field.
• Experience researching energy efficiency and incentive programs.
• Experience in project management and performance tracking/verification
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Familiarity with buildings, HVAC systems, design, affordable housing, real estate, building design, and construction
• Candidates should be comfortable with public speaking, working with diverse stakeholder groups, and environmental issues.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DEP is an equal opportunity employer with a strong commitment to the diversity of our organization and workforce. Your voluntary response to the NYCAPS on-line application section for referral information will assist us tremendously in our ability to track the success of our outreach recruitment efforts. Please be sure to indicate your source of referral to this job.

For more information about NYCDEP, visit us at: www.nyc.gov/dep

**LOAN FORGIVENESS**

The federal government provides student loan forgiveness through its Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) to all qualifying public service employees. Working with the Mayors’ Office of Sustainability qualifies you as a public service employee and you may be able to take advantage of this program while working full-time and meeting the program’s other requirements. 

Please visit the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program site to view the eligibility requirements:
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public...

We appreciate your interest and thank all applicants who apply, but only candidates under consideration will be contacted.

All appointments are subject to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval

Apply via nyc.gov/jobs and submit your resume and cover letter in PDF format.

Please review the City’s Civil Service Exam requirements for full-time employees at https://www1.nyc.gov/jobs/get-started.page

HOURS/SHIFT
35 hours per week

WORK LOCATION
253 Broadway, New York NY

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Recruitment Contact: Grace Pigott
Recruitment Email: recruit@dep.nyc.gov