Engineer B - Demand Side Management

City of Austin

12d•$91,080 - $117,000•Hybrid

About The Position

At the City of Austin, we are more than just an employer—we are a vibrant community dedicated to shaping one of the nation's most dynamic and innovative cities. As we strive to fulfill our commitment as public servants, it is important that we ground our efforts in a set of guiding principles – Empathy, Ethics, Excellence, Engagement, and Equity – anchors in delivering services that significantly impact the lives of Austinites. Joining the City of Austin means embarking on a purposeful career, contributing to the community, and being part of a forward-thinking organization that values every employee. Purpose: Under limited supervision and using considerable latitude for independent judgment, this position performs engineering work that includes designing, planning, and overseeing work in support of construction, maintenance, alteration of structures, facilities, processes, equipment, and systems.

Requirements

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a field related to engineering, plus six (6) years of experience in engineering acquired before and/or after licensing as a professional engineer.
Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in the State of Texas; or if currently licensed in another state, must have the ability to obtain a Texas P.E. license within six (6) months of employment.
Knowledge of diversified, fundamental scientific and civil engineering concepts, phenomena, and relationships, and utilizes such changes in solution of theoretical or practical civil engineering problems.
Knowledge of advanced mathematical techniques such as trigonometry, calculus, and coordinate geometry.
Knowledge of modern methods, materials, and techniques of assigned discipline.
Knowledge of one or more of the following disciplines: Civil, Environmental, Structural, Architectural, Mechanical, and/or Electrical engineering terminology and techniques.
Knowledge of City of Austin purchasing and contract policies and procedures.
Knowledge of applicability of established engineering principles and methods.
Knowledge of phases of the plans review and inspections processes.
Knowledge of preparation of cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports.
Knowledge of regulatory requirements within Local and State ordinances and laws.
Skill in oral and written technical and/or general communication including preparation of written reports.
Skill in negotiations and handling conflict resolution.
Ability to perform more complex engineering computations, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry, rapidly and accurately.
Ability to interpret and explain maps and other related documents.
Ability to interpret and make decisions not within established policies and practices.
Ability to communicate and provide direction to peers and assigned personnel.
Ability to organize, analyze, interpret, and evaluate scientific civil engineering problems and provide practical, cost-effective solutions.
Ability to observe, compare, or monitor objects and data to determine compliance with prescribed operating or safety standards.
Ability to use graphic instructions such as blueprints, schematic drawings, layouts, or other visual aids.
Ability to use a personal computer, engineering applications, and data management software.

Nice To Haves

Experience in utility, energy efficiency, demand-side management (DSM), integrated demand-side management (IDSM) or distributed energy resource DER-related engineering roles.
Strong knowledge of local/state codes, interconnection standards, Texas Technical Reference Manual , and energy market operations.
Proficiency in data analysis, forecasting, and technical documentation.
Experience providing analysis, vendor management, and other technical support to DSM and DER programs.
Experience with installation and performance monitoring of battery storage systems, HVAC systems, automated building systems, and energy-efficient technologies, including heat pumps.
DER integration, and demand response programs.
Familiarity with energy market forecasting tools and grid services modeling.
Experience managing third-party vendors.
Experience mentoring junior engineers.
Knowledge of Evaluation, Measurement & Verification (EM&V) processes and regulatory reporting.
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) & Certified Project Manager (CPM), or the ability to obtain within 6 months of employment.

Responsibilities

Approves, processes, and seals plans, specifications, construction documents by applying engineering standardization of practices and principles of complex calculations for applied discipline within Local and State regulatory requirements.
Manages engineering that are routine, non-priority projects or programs. These projects require a level of technical proficiency as well as coordinative and administrative responsibility.
Identifies, evaluates, and provides improvement recommendations with preliminary and final designs and design criteria for assigned program or projects.
Assists in the preparation of preliminary and long-range plans, schedules, estimates, budgets, detailed final plans, specifications, special conditions, and agreements.
Provides technical assistance with project progress from design through completion.
Develops cost estimates, tracks expenditures, and prepares cost estimates and engineering and feasibility reports and studies for projects.
Prepares and/or assists with preliminary contract documents, specifications, and plans.
Prepares final plans for review of specifications, special conditions, and agreements and coordinates and oversees technical work of contractors, affected public agencies, and utilities.
Writes technical specifications for construction contracts.
Reviews plans and approves permits by applying complex engineering standardization of practices and principles for applied discipline within Local and State regulatory requirements.
Inspects and monitors projects for legal compliance by reviewing work completed by contractors and ensuring compliance to specifications by completing complex calculations that are used to further provide analysis of preliminary results of a project.
Develops, negotiates, and monitors contracts by reviewing and writing contract change orders in the area of technical expertise and may negotiate and recommend financial arrangements for changes to contact.
Conducts field inspections of work done by contractors to ensure compliance with plans and specifications.
Drafts and recommends approval of contract change orders.
Researches and performs statistical analysis for validation of reports and publication of results in various communication formats.
Develops standard policies and ordinances for various contracts and/or projects and operating procedures.
May provide analysis and recommendation of performance of various personnel assigned by contract or projects.
May provide leadership, work assignments, evaluation, training, and guidance to others.
Serve as technical lead for the demand-side management program, ensuring compliance with local and state engineering standards.
Assist market operators in distributed energy resources dispatch strategy for energy market participation using performance data and modeling tools.
Review and approve engineering designs, specifications, construction documents, performance data and modeling tool output.
Manage routine engineering projects, including scheduling, budgeting, and contractor coordination.
Oversee and mentor junior engineers and technical staff.
Conduct field inspections and ensure contractor work meets design and regulatory requirements.
Coordinate with third-party vendors for evaluation, measurement, and verification (EM&V).
Develop technical standards, policies, and procedures for energy efficiency and demand response programs.
Support cross-functional collaboration with internal departments, utilities, and regulatory agencies.