(Auraria) Campus Engineer / Energy Manager

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Campus Engineer / Energy Manager identifies and coordinates energy management activities for the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC), working in and reporting to the Facilities Management Department and in partnership with the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP). Working with the Facilities Trades Departments (HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing), AHEC Projects, and contractors, the position develops best practices for all utility usage and conservation. This position conducts ongoing audits of buildings and utility usage to identify areas for improvement and tracks and manages energy data using the EnergyCap and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager systems. The Campus Engineer / Energy Manager also works with Construction Project Managers and the ASCP to identify projects with significant return on investment and positive environmental impact, collaborates with contracted project engineers to ensure best practices are applied to new projects and remodels, and supports the ASCP mission to reduce the AHEC campus' greenhouse gas emissions. The Campus Engineer also supports the Project Management Team by reviewing project specifications and submittits for MEP systems to ensure conformance with campus standards and best practices.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Energy Management, or a closely related field.
A minimum of four (4) years demonstrated experience integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies into organizations/institutions and their operations. This experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to identify and manage energy issues on a campus or comparable setting.
At least one (1) of the required four (4) years of energy management experience must be at an institution of higher education (public or private), public school, other public entity , or as a contractor/consultant working closely with an educational institution.
Experience with an energy usage and cost software system (campus currently uses EnergyCap and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager).
Experience working with Building Automation Systems (campus currently uses Johnson Controls' Metasys) or building controls, and familiarity with optimization strategies.
Demonstrated success managing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, including utility monitoring and greenhouse gas inventory reporting.
Proven expertise in organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating relevant data.
Must possess a valid unencunbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application.
Must be a state of Colorado resident.
Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check.
Must maintain a valid unencumbered driver's license.
Resume (REQUIRED) detailing a summary of work history
Supplemental Questions (REQUIRED) - responses must be completed within the online application before it can be submitted.

Nice To Haves

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation — candidates are strongly encouraged to hold this credential or be willing to obtain it within the first six (6) months of employment.
LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credentials.
Certified Energy Auditor (CEA) and/or Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP) credentials.
Familiarity with ASHRAE Standards and the LEED rating system and reporting requirements.
Experience with Energy Performance Contracting or similar energy savings contracting processes.
Experience working in higher education, government, or a campus environment.
Cover Letter (OPTIONAL) detailing how your experience & education meet minimum and preferred qualifications

Responsibilities

Development and Execution of Energy Plan and Strategies: Monitor and improve the energy efficiency of all AHEC facilities and school-owned buildings, identifying conservation measures to pursue. Develop and implement utility management strategies related to building heating/cooling, electrical usage, efficient irrigation, and water conservation. Audit existing facilities to identify energy savings opportunities and develop long- and short-term energy management goals. Develop a comprehensive Energy Management Plan in collaboration with AHEC Facilities and the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP) to reduce energy use, save money, and advance the campus Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. Serve as the Facilities energy liaison to the ASCP, supporting its seven-pillar sustainability mission and identifying, scoping, and helping implement student-fee-funded energy and water efficiency projects across the three institutional partners (CCD, MSU Denver, and CU Denver). Prioritize no- and low-cost solutions first with an emphasis on short-term return on investment; research best practices at peer Colorado institutions and apply for grant programs. Build and lead a cross-functional campus energy team, engaging Facilities trades, the ASCP, institutional partners, and key stakeholders to foster a culture of energy conservation and sustainability. Initiate communication to campus on energy and cost-savings plans and strategies to create buy-in and participation, and provide training and outreach to increase staff awareness of energy management practices.
Energy Tracking, Metering, and Utility Management: Track and maintain energy consumption records using the EnergyCap database and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for State of Colorado benchmarking. Perform monthly meter reading with the support of AHEC trades. Oversee and review monthly utility billings to AHEC departments, institutional partners, and other tenants; evaluate metering opportunities and propose enhancements. Support the development of and monitor campus utility budgets. Negotiate the purchase of utilities where possible, including electricity, natural gas, and water.
Project Evaluation for System Design and Product Selection: Serve as the primary contact to Project Management on all energy and utility-related projects, including those funded through the ASCP. Propose capital Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing projects and work closely with the AHEC Facilities Services Project Management Team during design, construction, and commissioning to ensure sustainable building practices. Support the Project Management Team by reviewing project specifications and submittals for mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and energy-related systems to ensure conformance with campus standards, maintainability, and energy-efficiency goals. Contribute to the development and ongoing update of campus construction standards and specifications, keeping energy, utility, and building-system requirements current with industry advancements, applicable codes, and ASHRAE/LEED best practices. Lead commissioning of new construction and retro-commissioning of existing buildings and systems, using ASHRAE energy audit procedures (Levels 1–3) to identify and correct performance deficiencies and restore optimal system operation. Monitor the effectiveness of energy efficiency / renewable energy projects, perform measurement and verification (M&V) of projected savings, and report progress when requested. Research, present, and utilize utility, local, state, and federal rebate and incentive programs, and explore Energy Performance Contracting to implement energy efficiency initiatives.
Interaction with AHEC HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing Trades: Partner with AHEC Trades to maximize operational efficiency and cost savings: Plumbing: track and evaluate water usage to proactively address potential water leaks. HVAC: evaluate existing HVAC systems and Building Automation System (BAS) settings to improve occupant comfort and identify opportunities for repairs, operational improvements, and energy savings. HVAC Scheduling: work with the HVAC trades to establish and maintain building automation occupancy schedules that align heating, ventilation, and cooling with class schedules, campus events, and building use — reducing energy waste during unoccupied periods while ensuring comfort during scheduled activities. Electrical: evaluate opportunities for savings including LED fixtures, light harvesting, and lighting controls.
Building Automation & Other Engineering Management Duties: Learn and utilize the campus Building Automation System (JCI Metasys) to support energy management tasks and goals, including trend analysis, setpoint and schedule optimization, and diagnosing control sequences that drive unnecessary energy use. Support Environmental Health and Safety team efforts to address and manage storm water issues, including navigating the various compliance requirements and organizations. Support the training and education of one or more engineering interns or engineering students.