Associate Engineer, Building Optimization

Associate Engineer, Building Optimization

DCAS's mission is to make city government work for all New Yorkers. From managing New York City's most iconic courthouses and municipal buildings, to purchasing over $1 billion annually in goods and services for more than 80 City agencies what we do ensures that all agencies can deliver on their mission. Our reach touches every facet of city government and is instrumental to the successful day-to-day operations of the City of New York. Our commitment to equity, effectiveness, and sustainability guides our work providing City agencies with the critical resources and support needed to succeed, including: recruiting, hiring, and training City employees; managing 55 public buildings; acquiring, selling, and leasing City property; purchasing over $1 billion in goods and services for City agencies; overseeing the greenest municipal vehicle fleet in the country; and leading the City's efforts to reduce carbon emissions from government operations. When you work at DCAS, you're not just working for one agency, but in service of them all. It's an opportunity to provide impactful support, quality customer service, and help protect the future of New York City for generations to come.

The Department of Citywide Administrative Services' (DCAS) Division of Energy Management (DEM) serves as the hub for emissions reduction and energy management for the city government portfolio. DEM develops the City's annual utility energy budget; manages the City's utility accounts; helps our agency partners identify and pursue energy-saving opportunities at their facilities; leads energy efficiency and distributed generation projects across the City's portfolio; and helps implement operations and maintenance best practices. Broadly, DEM is tasked with leading the City's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from City government operations 40 percent by 2025 (40x25), 50 percent by 2030 (50x30), and 80 percent by 2050 (80x50). Beyond 40x25, 50x30, and 80x50, the City has also made other energy-related commitments, such as pledging to install 100 MW of solar photovoltaic on City buildings by 2025. DEM works closely with our agency partners to help them reduce emissions and improve energy management in their facilities, including providing them with project funding, project delivery vehicles, technical expertise, staff resources, strategic planning support, and data analytics.

The Associate Engineer, Building Optimization will work within DEM's Operations Unit, under the guidance of the Senior Engineer, but in extremely close coordination with DEM's other units. The Associate Engineer will be charged with responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Project management: Support the Engineering team with the management of a portfolio of highly technical building controls projects that range in project scope, delivery methods and budget. Tasks include but are not limited to: providing support on project scoping, managing project budgets, identifying engineering recommendations for building optimization, and performing project inspections.
2. Technical oversight: Provide technical expertise on relevant projects that includes but is not limited to reviewing the following for accuracy: controls design drawings, project scope and costs, relevant energy savings calculations, and ad hoc advanced technical support on other building controls-related initiatives, including relevant innovative advanced technologies.
3. Performance management: Support the Engineering team in monitoring, reporting, and maintaining project-level tracking of key performance metrics including controls project completion rates, controls project budget variances, and greenhouse gas emission (GHG) reductions.
4. Stakeholder engagement: Facilitate routine correspondence with City agencies and building controls contractors (e.g., Honeywell, Siemens, Johnson Controls, etc.) primarily to drive project management, setting clear expectations with City agencies on relevant work, and building professional connections to improve program success.
5. Program expansion: Support the Engineering team in the further expansion of an innovative City-wide building optimization program that centers around preventative maintenance and utilizing advanced analytics to automate controls to optimize operational and energy efficiencies.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, or mechatronics and one year of full-time satisfactory experience in mechanical engineering work; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering technology and three years of full-time satisfactory experience in mechanical engineering work; or
• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college and a master's degree from an accredited college in mechanical engineering or mechatronics.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in engineering, architecture, energy management, construction project management, or a related field.
• Thorough knowledge of building science and energy-consuming building processes and equipment, including lighting systems, electrical systems, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, building automation systems (BAS), and energy distribution systems (chilled water, steam, and hot water).
• Experience with technical project management operations, including but not limited to project planning, scope development, project implementation oversight, site inspections, and project close out.
• Familiarity with customer relationship management (CRM) software (i.e., Salesforce, Monday.com, etc.)
• Ability to read and interpret controls drawings, mechanical drawings, and wiring diagrams.
• Knowledge of energy savings calculations, greenhouse gas emissions calculation methodologies, and NYC Local Laws addressing green buildings and energy efficiency.
• Knowledge of and experience with ASHRAE and/or AEE procedures for commercial buildings, as well as NYC Energy Conservation Code (NYCECC).
• Credentials as one or more of the following: Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), and/or Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP).
• Strong experience in effective communication (both oral and written), including proficiency in Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
• Strong experience in quantitative analysis, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at https://studentaid.gov/pslf/.

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.