Do you want to make a difference by helping save energy, spark positive change, and create a more sustainable future? If that sounds like you, we’d love for you to apply for our Energy and Utility Specialist position

Overview

The Energy and Utility Specialist is an important part of the Facilities and Property Management Team, helping find smart ways to save on utility costs, reduce carbon emissions, and make things run more efficiently. This role involves carefully reviewing utility accounts to ensure everything is accurate and looking for ways to conserve resources. The Energy and Utility Specialist also works with others—both within and outside the organization —to share ideas and advice that support a more sustainable future. This is a role for someone who cares about the environment and enjoys making a positive difference in practical and thoughtful ways.

The Multnomah County Facilities and Property Management Division has a longstanding commitment to sustainability. Since 2000, our organization has adopted several goals and policies establishing a long term commitment to saving energy and reducing carbon emissions within our portfolio. These goals are on a track that is aligned with the greater good of our community. The mission of Facilities is to operationalize the County goals to save energy and reduce carbon emissions.

Essential Job Duties:

Strategic Energy + Utility Management:

The Energy and Utility Specialist is the driving force behind energy, water, gas and waste management across over 140 county properties. Your expertise will help lead utility conservation efforts by closely monitoring usage, identifying ways to reduce consumption, and building awareness of best practices. You will play a key role in ensuring compliance with policies and tracking progress towards reduction targets. In addition, you'll evaluate various projects, identifying opportunities to improve energy efficiency and minimize environmental impact throughout the lifecycle of buildings—from design and construction to operation and renovation.

Collaboration is a core element of this job. You’ll team up with others within the organization, sharing ideas and feedback to help everyone reach sustainability goals. You’ll also be the go-to person for questions about utility management and sustainability, helping to solve any issues that come up by working closely with other teams. If you're excited about making a real difference and helping create a more sustainable future, this is your chance to take the lead in energy and utility management.

Data Tracking, Benchmarking, & Reporting:

As part of your role as the Energy and Utility Specialist, you'll be responsible for managing and tracking utility data across multiple accounts. This includes reviewing and approving utility invoices to ensure everything is accurate, identifying any issues, and making necessary payment adjustments. You’ll also keep a detailed, transparent database that tracks utility consumption, generation, and costs from year to year. You’ll provide financial data and budget-to-actual analysis to assist in budget development and forecasting.

In addition, you’ll manage a database of renewable energy certificates and carbon credits to ensure that the county meets its renewable energy goals. You’ll track the procurement, allocation, and expiration of these certificates to stay on top of commitments. As part of your work, you’ll produce and publish important reports that provide insights into energy use and expenditures, such as the Resource Conservation Report, Energy Use Intensity report, and various utility performance measurements. You’ll also create custom reports as needed to support ongoing projects and sustainability efforts. This is a vital part of ensuring the county stays on track with its utility management and sustainability objectives.

Utility Contract Administration and Customer Service:

You’ll be the main point of contact for all utility service providers, handling contracts for electricity, natural gas, solar energy, waste, and water services. This includes managing public utility agreements, waste collection contracts, renewable energy certificate procurement and payments, energy savings performance contracts, and more. You’ll be responsible for negotiating and developing the terms of these contracts, ensuring they align with the county’s sustainability goals.

You’ll also oversee consultants and contractors on a daily basis, evaluating their performance and working with them to implement continuous improvements. Your role ensures that all utility services run smoothly and efficiently, contributing to both cost savings and environmental goals. If you're someone who enjoys building strong relationships and making sure everything operates at its best, this part of the job is perfect for you.

Sustainability Leadership and Coordination:

As the Energy and Utility Specialist, you will take on the important role of supporting sustainability efforts within the division. You'll provide input on sustainable design, operations, and planning, ensuring that best practices are followed to promote environmental responsibility. This includes encouraging innovation and continuous improvement in areas like resource conservation and climate action across county operations.

In addition to leading internal efforts, you’ll serve as the liaison between Facilities and Property Management (FPM) and the Office of Sustainability. You’ll represent the Division in various sustainability groups, such as the Climate Leadership Team and Green Team, and collaborate closely with the Office of Sustainability to promote achievements, updates on procedures, and new sustainability initiatives. If you're passionate about making a real impact on the environment and leading efforts for a greener future, this role gives you the platform to do just that.

Benefits: Multnomah County offers an exceptional benefits package, including employer-funded retirement savings; health, vision and dental insurance at very low cost to full-time employees and their dependents; paid parental leave; wellness programs; a focus on work-life balance; paid holidays; life insurance; long term disability insurance; TriMet pass; and an employee assistance program. Find more details on our website. This position falls under the employee group: AFSCME Local 88.

Our Commitment to Safety, Trust and Belonging:Multnomah County is committed to developing, nurturing and continually improving workforce equity by identifying and addressing the structural and policy barriers to equal employment opportunity faced by our employees and communities. County employees across the organization have stepped forward to develop a strategic plan and help create a workplace where everyone can reach their full potential. Learn more by reading our Workforce Equity Strategic Plan and exploring our Core Competencies for all County employees.

To Qualify

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific about how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications/Transferable Skills:

A bachelor’s degree. In lieu of a degree, we will consider equivalent years of qualifying training and/or experience. AND
Minimum of 3 years of experience demonstrating a strong understanding of sustainability principles and practices, a working knowledge of building systems, and local, state, and federal regulations related to energy and utilities.
Experience in spreadsheet development and analysis and data management
Excellent communication skills to include written, verbal, and presentation
Exceptionally organized and self-directed, with a proven ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing demands.
Strong decision-making, problem-resolution, and creative thinking skills
This position requires a valid driver’s license.
Ability to pass a criminal records check, should a job offer be extended.

Preferred Qualifications/Transferable Skills: You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider some or all of the following when identifying the most qualified candidates. Please clearly explain on your application how you meet any of the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills.

Experience with creating or amending policy and procedures
Experience in contract negotiation and administration
Experience in account representation and administration
Experience in project management related to energy efficiency or sustainability initiatives.
Public sector experience
Professional certifications related to energy management, sustainability, or LEED;Certified Energy Manager" (CEM), "LEED Accredited Professional (AP)", "Green Globes Professional", "Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP)", "WELL Accredited Professional (WELL AP)", "Sustainability Excellence Associate (SEA)", and "Sustainability Excellence Professional (SEP)

Screening and Evaluation

The Application Packet:

A completed online application.
Required resume covering relevant experience and education. Please be sure your resume includes the following for each employer: name of employer, location, dates of employment, your title, a brief summary of your responsibilities, and the number of employees under your supervision.
Required cover letter detailing how your experience and training qualifies you for this role, addresses why you are interested in this position, and demonstrates how your experience and skill set align with the minimum and preferred qualifications listed. Please be specific about the scope of the capital construction projects you have managed.

Note: The application, resume and cover letter should demonstrate your work experience/skills and how they relate to those shown in the Overview, Essential Job Duties and To Qualify sections of the job announcement. Please be thorough, as these materials will be scored to determine your eligibility for an interview.

The Selection Process: For details about how we typically screen applications, review our overview of the selection process page. We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows:

Initial review of minimum qualifications: We may do an additional preferred review and/or send out additional supplemental questions to identify those highest qualified.
Technical exam (for some positions only): Allow up to two hours to complete. Some completed online and some in person.
Consideration of top candidates: We will consider qualified candidates in order of rank and score from the list of eligible candidates. This may include panel interview(s), a hiring interview, and/or additional testing to determine the best candidates for a position.
Reference check: All finalists must pass a thorough reference check.

Additional Information:

This recruitment may be used to fill full-time, part-time, temporary, limited duration and on-call positions.

Teleworking: Hybrid Work arrangement: This role will be based primarily at 401 N. Dixon Street, Portland, OR 97227 Located in the Prophet Educational Services Center (PPS). Hybrid remote work with the expectation of two (2) scheduled days onsite (Wednesdays and one other day), and ad hoc onsite as needed at this location or other Multnomah County sites. As your role develops, there is potential for a flexible work schedule. Please note that all employees must reside in either Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the county cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.

Type of Position: This hourly union-represented position is eligible for overtime pay.

Location: 401 N Dixon St. Portland, OR 97227

Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm. This position is designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will be working onsite three (3) days per week and teleworking two (2) days a week. Additional days in the office will be determined based on the work underway. The designation of hybrid telework may be subject to change at a future time. Currently, all employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; the County cannot support ongoing telework from other locations. There is some flexibility with the start and end times and a possibility of a 9/80 work schedule.

Serving the Public, Even During Disasters
Everyday, Multnomah County staff work together to serve as a safety net for our communities. During a disaster, this safety net becomes even more critical. All County employees have a role in serving the public during inclement weather, natural disaster, or other types of community emergency response. During these emergency responses, while typically there begins with a call for volunteers, county employees may ultimately be reassigned from their current position to a role in the emergency response in order to support the critical needs presented by our communities. For more information, please visit the Disaster Service Worker Information page.

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Energy & Utility Specialist