Energy Code Compliance Specialist

Lafayette Recruitment Team•Lafayette, CO

13h

About The Position

Lafayette has an inescapable small-town feeling that provides a sense of belonging and connection. Whether it’s eclectic Old Town, distinctive neighborhoods, or unique arts and outdoors spaces, the City has a warmth and character all its own, offering a unique vibe and spirit. Lafayette has appeared on numerous national lists of top places to live and safely raise a family. We are a full-service City, which means services are provided directly to our community such as Police, Fire, Public Works, Economic Development, Parks and Recreation, Library and Community Arts Center. These types of services offer employment opportunities for a wide array of interests. The City’s mission is to recruit, develop and retain a diverse, well-qualified and professional workforce that reflects the unique personality of the community we serve. The City of Lafayette, Colorado is seeking an Energy Code Compliance Specialist with experience in both residential and commercial buildings. Experience with energy code plan review and inspections in residential and commercial is required. Experience with stretch code energy policy development, such as commercial building benchmarking and construction waste diversion, along with the code update process is preferred. This position is a limited term position, expected to last through December of 2028. The Energy Code Compliance Specialist is responsible for implementing, administering, communicating, and enforcing the City’s adopted energy codes through plan review, on-site inspections, and technical guidance. This position serves as the City’s subject-matter expert on energy and sustainability codes and works closely with the Chief Building Official to establish consistent processes, policies, and frameworks for effective energy code implementation and compliance. This position will be focused on providing energy plan review services to many different types of projects within the City of Lafayette. Additionally, the incumbent of this position will spend approximately 50% of their time researching and developing stretch code policy surrounding commercial building benchmarking and construction waste diversion, preparing code/ ordinance language, presenting, and implementing after adoption. The City is experiencing a diverse growth in building activity from new single-family dwellings and multi-family to new commercial buildings and tenant finish projects and everything in between which will provide a fantastic challenge to accurately interpret the requirements of the adopted building codes. In addition to compliance activities, this role supports the City’s long-term climate and sustainability objectives by monitoring emerging national and state energy codes, coordinating with peer jurisdictions, and exploring innovative regulatory approaches such as embodied carbon reduction, enhanced construction waste diversion, and commercial building energy benchmarking for mid-sized buildings. The position represents the City in regional, state, and national collaborations to advance best practices and promote consistency across jurisdictions.

Requirements

KNOWLEDGE: Working knowledge of adopted building and energy codes and applicable State of Colorado statutes and regulations; Knowledge of outcome-based and performance-based energy codes; Knowledge of building science principles, energy efficiency technologies, HVAC systems, renewable energy, energy storage, and electric vehicle infrastructure; Knowledge of sustainability practices related to the built environment, including embodied carbon, water efficiency, indoor air quality, and construction waste reduction; Knowledge of electric and gas utility demand-side management programs and rebate structures; Knowledge of modern office practices, records management, and permitting systems; Working knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 and electronic plan review and permitting software.
SKILL: Skill in reviewing construction documents and technical materials for code compliance; Skill in project management, work plan development, and coordination of multi-jurisdictional or public processes; Skill in providing clear, professional customer service in complex or challenging situations; Skill in written and verbal communication, including translating technical information into clear, understandable guidance.
ABILITY: Ability to interpret and apply energy codes, regulations, and technical standards consistently and accurately; Ability to conduct inspections and make sound compliance determinations based on adopted codes and approved plans; Ability to work independently with limited supervision and exercise professional judgment; Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain accurate records; Ability to work effectively with culturally diverse populations and maintain positive working relationships with City staff, contractors, and the public; Ability to present information to small and large groups and facilitate meetings or working groups; Ability to adapt to changing regulations, evolving technologies, and emerging policy priorities.
TRAINING: High school diploma or equivalent required; Additional college-level coursework or a degree in a related field such as construction, sustainability, environmental science, urban planning, or public policy is preferred.
EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of inspection, plan review, energy auditing, or other relevant experience in building construction, energy efficiency, or code compliance required; or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides evidence that the applicant possesses the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Must possess a Colorado Driver’s license with a safe driving record.
ICC or equivalent certification in at least two of the following categories: Residential Mechanical, Commercial Mechanical, Residential Energy Inspector/ Plans Examiner, Commercial Energy Inspector, Commercial Energy Plans Examiner. Must maintain required certifications and continued education.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in local government.
Inspection, plan review, energy auditing, or other relevant experience in building construction, energy efficiency, or code compliance.
Experience working with governmental permitting and inspection software.
Experience or formal training in energy modeling, building science, or sustainability-focused construction.

Responsibilities

Reviews building permit applications, construction documents, and supporting materials for compliance with adopted energy codes and related regulations.
Conducts on-site inspections to verify compliance with approved plans and applicable energy code requirements.
Serves as a technical resource to contractors, designers, homeowners, developers, and City staff by explaining energy code requirements, policies, ordinances, and compliance pathways through in-person, written, electronic, and telephone communications.
Works closely with the Chief Building Official to coordinate energy code requirements, implementation strategies, and compliance processes within the Building Division.
Monitors and evaluates national, state, and regional energy and sustainability code developments and supports updates to City building and energy codes on a recurring cycle.
Coordinates and shares best practices with other jurisdictions and participates in regional, state, and national working groups related to energy codes and building decarbonization.
Leads or supports public engagement and education efforts related to energy codes, including long-term strategic discussions, training, and outreach.
Evaluates opportunities for incentives and regulatory approaches that encourage energy efficiency, reuse, and retrofit of existing buildings.
Supports exploration and implementation of advanced energy and sustainability initiatives, including embodied carbon reduction, construction waste diversion, and commercial building benchmarking.
Assists with inspection scheduling, documentation, recordkeeping, and data entry related to energy code compliance.
Develops, updates, and maintains forms, handouts, guidance documents, and internal procedures related to energy code administration.
Responds to information and research requests, including public records requests, as assigned.
Performs filing, scanning, data entry, and other administrative tasks necessary to support permitting and inspection operations.
Supports all related plan review and inspection efforts within the Building Division.
Participate in internal committees and attend City-provided training as required.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision
401A Retirement Plan (10.2% City, 8% Employee, immediately 100% vested upon hire)
Life Insurance (One year’s salary up to $150,000. AD&D coverage in equal amount)
Tuition Assistance (up to $5000 per year for approved expenses)
Employee Assistance Program (free counseling, travel assistance, legal aid, etc)
Short and Long-Term Disability
Bilingual Pay
Deferred Compensation and Roth Options
Voluntary Life Insurance/AD&D
Identity Theft Program
Recreation Center Pass
Wellness Punch Card (100 punches per year to use at golf course, waterpark, etc)
First year employees will accrue 80 hours Vacation
Sick Leave
Floating Holiday Leave
11.5 paid City holidays.
Other leave programs are offered to include FMLA, Parental and Bereavement Leave