Energy Engineer

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) directs the worldwide overseas building program for the U.S. Department of State. Working with other offices and bureaus, foreign affairs agencies, and Congress, OBO sets worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, use, and sale of real properties and the use of sales proceeds. As the single real property manager for the planning, acquisition, design, construction, operations, maintenance, and disposal of U.S. government's diplomatic and consular properties overseas, OBO's portfolio spans over 280 worldwide missions and over 80,000,000 square feet of functioning property. OBO's primary mission is to provide the most effective facilities for United States diplomacy abroad ensuring the United States is safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Design and Engineering (DE) Responsibilities: DE primary responsibilities include:

• Provision of design and engineering expertise in multiple areas of expertise.
• Direct the design management of OBO’s construction program including development of scopes of work, maintaining design budgets and schedules, and monitoring and evaluating Architecture and Engineering (A/E) performance.
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain applicable standards, criteria, and guidelines for facility design and performance that define requirements for US diplomatic facilities.
• Coordinate an integrated design review process for project documents to ensure technical requirements are met, reconcile and provide quality assurance reviews and facilitate resolution of design related security issues.

This requirement is in the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations, Program Development, Coordination, and Support Directorate, Office of Design and Engineering, Electrical Engineering Division (OBO/PDCS/DE/EE).

The Division of Electrical Engineering (DE/EE) serves as an OBO Code Official and provides design, research, and technical assistance bureau wide. The division is responsible for all aspects of electrical engineering design, renewables, audio-visual, telecommunications, and emanations security (radio frequency (RF) and acoustic) for our embassy facilities worldwide. Core areas of responsibilities include:

• Power systems include utility integration and on-site substations.
• Standby and prime generation power plants, as well as exterior and interior power distribution systems.
• Renewables (solar, battery energy storage systems), grounding, and lighting systems and controls.
• Telecommunications cabling infrastructure.
• Audio-visual systems.
• RF and acoustic emanation security.
• Testing and witness testing of systems under the responsibility of the division.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL DISCIPLINES:

In support of the core responsibilities of the division, the following requirements, working conditions, and administrative duties apply generally to all personnel under this task order:

• Project Documentation: Review technical submittals, prepare reports, draft meeting notes, and provide technical input supporting OBO statements of work, criteria, specifications, cost estimates, contract support materials, and other documents as directed by the program office.
• Technology and Software Proficiency: Must be proficient in the use of recent office technology and software tools including Microsoft Office or equivalents, AutoCAD, Primavera, modeling tools, and other artificial intelligence (AI) enabled applications. Additionally, must be able to use a variety of computer software to review project documents, perform calculations, and produce designs, presentations, reports, etc.
• General Competencies: Must be able to communicate effectively and persuasively, serve as a liaison to various offices, articulate decisions, and produce coherent reports and memoranda. Knowledge of project management principles, budget control, cost/benefit analysis, installation practices, risk management, and scheduling is required.
• Codes and Standards: Remain abreast of the latest applicable industry codes, OBO criteria and standards, Department policy, and their impact on work assigned. Perform building permit reviews in support of the division’s role of code official.
• Travel: Travel domestically and overseas to conduct inspections, troubleshoot systems, oversea and witness testing, and provide technical consultation regarding systems related to area(s) of expertise.
• Testing: Develop test criteria for performance by installation contractors. Witness and perform testing for systems within the areas of expertise within DE/EE roles and responsibilities.
• Consulting and Troubleshooting: Apply professional knowledge of engineering theories, building construction techniques, and codes to resolve complex problems affecting costs, safety and efficiency. Troubleshoot and provide consultation to managers, project team members, and post staff.
• Application of new developments: Ability to adapt new developments and policies to problems not readily treated by conventional means and methods.

Job Duties:

In addition to the general duties and responsibilities, the energy engineer shall:

• Develop engineering programs which include mechanical, electrical, water, waste, and indoor environmental quality to include building controls and retrofit programs for overseas posts. The position has contact with other classified tenant agencies in respect to space which houses those agencies to encourage resource conservation.
• Develop energy savings tracking programs for associated natural resource conservation which provide necessary information to make data driven portfolio level decisions.
• Assessing post program needs by analyzing survey and inspection data, meeting with post personnel to discuss program objectives, and by implementing program requirements.
• Formulates efficiency engineering initiatives and justifies these recommendations to senior level OBO personnel.
• Actively involved in determining short-and-long-range goals and objectives for energy savings initiatives at the post and is responsible for analyzing natural resource use across all properties the Department is responsible for controlling.
• Establish program priorities, milestones, and deadlines on programs related to energy savings initiatives and associated efficiency measures. The position is responsible for evaluating the effectiveness and impact of energy savings programs on OBO projects and programs.
• Collaborate with OBO data experts to collect, organize, and analyze all relevant data while addressing developments in technology, regulations, changing security threats and standards, climatic conditions, revised industry standards, updated laws and regulations for U.S. and assigned countries for long-range plans.
• Collaborate with design subject matter experts when recommending changes to design and construction criteria.
• Consider what is needed to provide the best value to critical facilities which allow for the effective functioning of energy savings initiatives under local foreign conditions.

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience in planning, design, analysis, commissioning, or operation of energy-related systems.
• Experience performing energy assessments, energy audits, utility analysis, energy modeling, renewable energy evaluations, or energy conservation studies.

Certification of one or more of the following:

• Certified Energy Manager
• Certified Energy Auditor
• LEED Accredited Professional (BD+C or O+M)
• Measurement and Verification Professional
• Building Energy Assessment Professional
• Certified Commissioning Professional

• Professional knowledge of advanced engineering theories, energy building construction techniques, and codes to resolve problems affecting costs, safety, and efficiency.
• A bachelor’s degree in the field of electrical, mechanical, energy, architectural engineering or related field from an accredited institution and eleven (11) years of related experience. Master’s degree in engineering, energy systems, sustainability, building science, or business administration is highly desirable.

Benefits

Benefits Include:

• Covers 100% of employee benefit premiums, including Medical (PPO or HDHP Option), Vision, Dental
• Matching 401K
• Short- and Long-Term Disability
• Pet Insurance
• Professional Development/Education Reimbursement
• Parking and Transit Benefits for NY, NJ, ATL, and DC Metro areas

Other Duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.