Energy Programs Manager

City of Fairfax•Va 22030, VA

About The Position

The City of Fairfax is seeking a sustainability professional to lead initiatives that improve energy efficiency, expand renewable energy use, and support high-performance municipal operations. Under the general supervision of the Sustainability Program Manager, the Energy Programs Manager performs professional and technical program management work planning, implementing, and administering the City’s municipal energy management, utility tracking, and green building programs. The role independently manages energy benchmarking and utility management systems; identifies and implements energy efficiency and renewable energy projects; administers energy-related grants and contracts; and coordinates with internal departments and external partners to advance the City’s energy, climate, and sustainability goals. Work involves considerable independent judgment within established City and department policies and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and evaluation of program outcomes. The manager administers utility tracking and benchmarking, analyzes utility consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost data, and prepares performance reports. The role conducts energy audits and evaluations, recommends improvements, coordinates energy measures in facility and capital projects, and monitors the performance of conservation measures and renewable energy systems. It also supports municipal renewable and distributed energy projects, including solar photovoltaics and battery storage; administers the City’s Green Building Policy; tracks applicable standards and codes; and manages grants, rebates, incentives, procurement support, contracts, and partnerships. Additional work includes researching energy technologies and policies, supporting electric vehicle readiness and fleet electrification, preparing technical and public-facing materials, representing the division at meetings and events as assigned, and supporting public outreach and education. Occasional meetings or community events outside normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainability, Urban Planning, Architecture, Public Administration, or a related field, and five years of progressively responsible professional experience in energy program management, energy efficiency, renewable energy, utility management, green building, or a closely related area; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
Knowledge of municipal energy management, energy efficiency, renewable energy systems, building electrification, and climate mitigation strategies.
Knowledge of utility management, including benchmarking methodologies, building performance tracking, utility rate analysis, and energy conservation strategies applicable to municipal facilities and operations.
Knowledge of green building design principles, rating systems, and building performance standards, including their application in local government development review and capital improvement.
Knowledge of current energy and sustainability programs, laws, regulations, and regulatory processes at federal, state, and local levels, including Virginia energy policy and utility regulation.
Knowledge of grant program administration, including application development, award management, compliance reporting, and contractor oversight.
Ability to collect, analyze, and interpret utility and energy performance data and turn findings into actionable recommendations and clear communications for technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to manage multiple projects, develop and follow implementation schedules, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with City staff, elected and appointed officials, utilities, contractors, developers, and the public.
Ability to prepare and deliver presentations, staff reports, technical guidance documents, and public-facing materials.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgment within established policies and procedures.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Certified Energy Manager (CEM), LEED Green Associate, LEED Accredited Professional, Professional Energy Manager (PEM), or Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification.
Experience implementing energy or green building programs in a municipal or local government setting.
Experience with utility management and benchmarking platforms such as ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager or comparable systems.
Experience presenting technical information to elected officials, boards, commissions, or the public.
Experience identifying and managing federal, state, or philanthropic grant opportunities in energy or sustainability.
Bilingual communication skills.

Responsibilities

Manage the City’s municipal energy and utility tracking program, including energy benchmarking and utility management software.
Compile and analyze utility consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and cost data across City facilities, and prepare regular performance reports.
Conduct energy audits, analyses, and evaluations of City facilities and operations; identify improvement opportunities and develop prioritized recommendations.
Present findings and recommendations to the Sustainability Program Manager and departmental staff.
Coordinate with facilities, capital projects, and operations staff to integrate energy efficiency, renewable energy, and building performance measures into maintenance, renovation, and capital improvement projects.
Review project scopes for consistency with the City’s energy, climate, and sustainability goals.
Track and evaluate the performance of energy conservation measures, renewable energy systems, utility initiatives, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies; maintain dashboards and data visualizations.
Manage planning, procurement support, and performance monitoring for renewable energy and distributed energy projects, including solar photovoltaics and battery storage.
Coordinate renewable energy project implementation with vendors, utilities, and City staff.
Administer the City’s Green Building Policy, including development plan reviews, technical guidance, compliance tracking, documentation, reporting, monitoring, and continuous improvement.
Monitor state and federal green building standards, building performance requirements, and energy codes; prepare technical summaries and implementation guidance.
Identify, pursue, and manage grants, rebates, incentives, and partnership opportunities in energy, green building, and clean transportation.
Prepare grant applications and administer awarded grants, including reporting and compliance documentation.
Assist with energy program procurement, including scopes of work, requests for proposals, contract administration, and contractor coordination.
Build and maintain working relationships with utilities, government agencies, regional partners, educational institutions, and peer jurisdictions; participate in technical committees and working groups.
Research emerging energy technologies, programs, policy developments, and best practices; prepare written summaries and technical guidance.
Support electric vehicle readiness and fleet electrification programs, including charging infrastructure planning, coordination with Fleet Services, and incentive tracking.
Prepare staff reports, memoranda, presentations, and public-facing materials related to energy programs.
Represent the division at public meetings, community events, and technical forums as assigned.
Support outreach, educational programming, and stakeholder engagement related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and green building.
Perform other duties as assigned.