Senior Project Manager – Energy & Sustainability

County Of Albemarle•Charlottesville, VA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The position is primarily responsible the planning, scheduling, coordinating, and implementation of building, utility, and infrastructure projects and other related duties as assigned. The position will oversee the organization's energy use, developing strategies to cut consumption and costs, and promote sustainability by analyzing data, implementing efficiency projects, managing budgets, negotiating contracts, ensuring regulatory compliance, and educating stakeholders on conservation to achieve energy reduction goals. This position will report to the Deputy Chief of Operations and work closely with the Climate Action Program for coordinated delivery of the County’s sustainability, climate action and environmental goals.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Environmental Engineering, Energy Systems, Construction Management, Architecture or related field—or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum five (5) years of professional experience in energy management, capital project management, or facility management, with a focus on building operations and maintenance.
Possession of a valid Virginia Driver’s License is required.
Advanced project management skills: scheduling, budgeting, risk management, stakeholder engagement.
Expertise in energy management principles, building systems (HVAC, BAS, lighting), and operational optimization.
Strong understanding of resiliency planning, emergency preparedness, and infrastructure hardening.
Analytical skills for utility benchmarking, rate analysis, lifecycle cost modeling, and risk assessment.
Proficiency in project management tools (MS Project, Power BI) and methodologies (CPM).
Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences and lead cross-functional teams.
Familiarity with energy codes, Virginia building performance standards, and climate action best practices.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in engineering, architecture, construction management, project management, business process reengineering, and/or related field.
CEM (Certified Energy Manager), LEED AP, BCxP/CCP (Commissioning).
PMP (Project Management Professional),
Experience with BAS optimization, EPCs, resiliency planning, and public-sector energy programs.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple interrelated energy and resiliency projects through all phases: initiation, planning, design, procurement, implementation, and closeout.
Develop and maintain integrated schedules and budgets; apply Critical Path Method (CPM) and risk management techniques.
Establish and maintain methodologies and systems to track project progress, KPIs, and deliverables using project management software.
Prepare monthly reports for leadership and BOS; ensure objectives are implemented on time and within budget.
Advise and assist departments in preparing project plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, and risk mitigation plans.
Serve as project spokesperson for energy and resiliency initiatives; prepare executive summaries and presentations for leadership and public meetings.
Lead energy optimization projects (BAS tuning, HVAC retrofits, LED upgrades, water efficiency).
Analyze utility data, identify cost-saving opportunities, and implement demand-side management strategies.
Develop and maintain energy performance standards for County facilities; embed requirements into preventive maintenance programs.
Support development and execution of Energy Performance Contracts (EPC); oversee M&V plans and ensure compliance.
Manage grant applications and incentive programs for energy projects; track funding milestones and reporting requirements.
Collaborate with Climate Action Program Manager to align operational projects with County GHG reduction targets and resilience goals.
Maintain dashboards and reporting tools via energy tracking software to track energy savings, cost avoidance, and emissions reductions.
Provide technical guidance on energy audits, commissioning, and retro-commissioning for County facilities.
Train staff in energy conservation practices and operational best practices.
Ensure compliance with County sustainability policies and applicable regulations.
Implement facility resiliency strategies to address climate-related risks (e.g., flooding, extreme heat, severe storms).
Coordinate backup power solutions, emergency HVAC strategies, and critical infrastructure hardening for essential County facilities.
Integrate resilience measures into operational projects, including stormwater management improvements, thermal safety planning, and redundancy for critical systems.
Conduct vulnerability assessments and incorporate findings into maintenance planning and asset management systems.
Collaborate with emergency management teams to ensure compliance with County resilience goals and emergency preparedness standards.
Prepare resiliency-focused scopes of work for contractors and ensure alignment with FEMA/APWA best practices.
Performs other duties as required.