The Sustainability Program Manager is responsible for performing difficult professional and administrative work related to the development, coordination, implementation, and management of complex energy, climate, and resiliency programs, primarily associated with municipal facilities and operations, to support Rockville’s Climate Action Plan. Under the general managerial direction of the Chief of Environmental Management in the Department of Public Works, the position will oversee sustainability programs and projects related to clean fleet and electric vehicle infrastructure, renewable energy systems installation and management, energy efficiency projects, energy management programs, building and infrastructure resiliency programs, and other green building initiatives at City facilities. The position requires a collaborative, proactive, and entrepreneurial approach with strong project management skills and attention to detail at all stages of the process, including researching industry best practices; developing specifications; reviewing proposals and negotiating contracts; managing projects, budgets, and schedules; applying for and managing grants; training internal staff; and reporting on performance. Projects involve leading teams with members from various City departments, consultants, design professionals, contractors, outside agencies, maintenance staff, facility occupants, boards and commissions, elected officials, and the Rockville public.
Essential Job Functions
- Lead the planning, design, installation, and management of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to serve fleet, employees, and the community. The position also will oversee a capital improvement project to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure on city property and rights-of-way that aligns with a fleet electrification schedule to support the phased conversion of fleet vehicles that park at various facilities. The position will also oversee a long-term operations and maintenance program for this infrastructure. This position will also support the development and implementation of a Rockville Community Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan.
- Lead feasibility studies, procurement, permitting, installation, and the operation of renewable energy systems on municipal properties. This may involve overseeing Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for renewable energy installations, solar photovoltaic installations with battery backup, microgrids, and/or microgrid ready projects.
- Plan and execute an energy management program for city-operated facilities, fleet, street and traffic lights, and water and sewer utilities to meet cost control, efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability goals and comply with state and county building energy benchmarking and performance standards. Strategies include but are not limited to utility billing monitoring and recovery, tracking and reporting energy consumption in EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, managing energy audits and efficiency upgrades, energy procurement, demand response, stakeholder coordination, behavioral change, education and training, policy, and renewable energy deployment.
- Coordinate with other City departments to assess vulnerabilities and improve the resiliency of public infrastructure, facilities, and services; including assessing the needs, options and funding sources for backup power to serve critical functions and services.
- Lead small and medium scale project teams, including scoping work and specifications, evaluating technical and price proposals, managing contracts, engaging stakeholders, obtaining permits and approvals from regulatory agencies, monitoring installation and the work of contractors and consultants, coordinating projects schedules, and managing budgets, invoices and grants.
- Research funding sources, prepare applications, execute agreements, and oversee various federal, state, and utility grants and incentives to support energy and sustainability projects and programs.
- Develop an approach to measure, track and report progress and compliance to elected officials, the public, and outside agencies.
- Implement programs and maintain compliance with City-wide ordinances and policies and applicable federal, state and county environmental laws, rules, and permits.
- Support the Environmental Management Division’s strategic planning, capital and operating budget preparation, training, and public education and outreach efforts.
- Prepare briefings and present findings, analyses, and program recommendations to senior management, elected officials, the public and other interested audiences
- Support the research, development, implementation, and periodic updates of long-range strategic plans, such as the Sustainability Strategy, Energy Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Environmental Element of the Comprehensive Master Plan.
- Serve on national, state, regional, and county sustainability committees and task forces, including those organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and Montgomery County’s Interagency Committee on Utilities Management (ICEUM).
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in electrical, mechanical or environmental engineering, environmental science, architecture, energy efficiency, or closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible work in environmental, energy or sustainability programs, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's degree is preferred. Professional licensure in engineering or architecture, Project Management (PMP), Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED AP), or Certified Energy Management (CEM) certification or equivalent is preferred, but not required.
Special Qualifications:
Must possess a valid State of Maryland driver's license as issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the technologies and practices related to energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic, renewable energy, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, green building design, green purchasing, energy resiliency, and portfolio and asset-level data management.
- Knowledge of emerging technologies and business models to plan, finance, and manage energy efficiency, renewable energy, and microgrid and/or electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects.
- Knowledge and understanding of climate change issues, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and mitigation approaches.
- Expertise in complex procurement, legal, technical, and stakeholder elements of implementing long-term energy and sustainability projects in a government context that maintains sound financial practices.
- Experience with design/construction management, contract administration, performance management, and quality control.
- Skills to develop metrics, reports, and communication materials to monitor and assess performance.
- Knowledge and understanding of project management.
- Knowledge of computers and basic software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs, as well as GIS tools.
- Skill in program leadership, stakeholder outreach, and providing education/training.
- Ability to deal firmly but tactfully with contractors, employees, property owners and the public contacted in the course of the work, occasionally under adverse conditions.
- Ability to review engineering plans, specifications and documents and discern and correct errors in design and criteria.
- Skill in written and verbal communication, including public speaking.
- Skill in collaboration, coordination, and team skills.
- Skill in attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
- Ability to perform critical strategic thinking and project planning.
- Ability to write and evaluate grants.
- Ability to assess personal job performance and that of an assigned team.
- Basic understanding and ability to learn government procurement systems and processes.