Manager Energy & Utilities

The City of Vancouver is seeking a Manager for Energy & Utilities to lead the development and management of the Facilities Energy Management Strategy. This role involves implementing energy retrofits, optimizing operations, and providing technical expertise on building energy efficiency and GHG reduction. The position requires strategic planning, collaboration with various departments, and accountability for achieving greenhouse gas reduction targets, supporting the City's sustainability and reconciliation commitments.
Requisition ID: 43106

Organization

Located on the traditional, ancestral and unceded lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples, Vancouver has a commitment to becoming a City of Reconciliation. Vancouver consistently ranks as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Named among Canada's Top 100 Employers, BC's Top Employers, and Canada's Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver seeks colleagues who can help shape and embody our core commitments to sustainability, reconciliation, equity and outstanding quality of life for all residents.

Consider joining our committed team of staff and being part of an innovative, inclusive and rewarding workplace.

Main Purpose and Function

The Manager, Energy and Utilities provides overall management and technical leadership to the reportingunit. The Manager, Energy and Utilities is responsible for developing and managing the existing Facilities Energy Management Strategy, implementing energy and emissions retrofits, and operational optimization measures in support of the City's Corporate Carbon Strategy and Green Operations goals and targets. The position helps shape and subsequently demonstrate Corporate leadership in the implementation of globally leading green building policy such as zero carbon step code, GHG limits for existing buildings, and embodied carbon reduction regulations. The position is also responsible for acting as the technical subject matter expert to staff in the department on building energy efficiency, GHG reduction, innovative technologies, low embodied carbon materials, and water reduction strategies for the design of new buildings and the retrofit of existing buildings.

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Strategic Planning
• Provides strategic direction to CMT and Council related to facilities energy and GHG reduction targets, long-term plans, and implementation strategies.
• Provides technical guidance leadership and subject matter expertise to senior management and staff across the City of Vancouver.
• Works with business partners and leadership to understand and anticipate business and project needs of the reporting unit.
• Develops strategies, operating plans, targets and measures for the unit.
• Works with Facilities, Sustainability, and Planning department staff in updating and aligning facilities energy efficiency new construction standards with long term improvements to energy efficiency requirements in city wide zoning and building bylaws
• Develops strategic partnerships to fund and support energy efficiency projects and GHG reduction initiatives (provincial government, universities, non-profit organisations, researchers, and innovators)
• Develops and oversees corporate-wide Strategic Energy Management Programs for civic facilities as a key element of the Corporate Carbon Strategy and provides leadership to staff at all levels to promote awareness of the programs and encourages staff at all levels to actively support such initiatives and improvements.
• Is accountable to the Director of Facilities Management and Operational Excellence for ensuring facility related greenhouse gas reduction targets in the Corporate Carbon Strategy are achieved

Leadership and Management
• Provides technical leadership to COV as a subject matter expert in the areas of building energy efficiency, GHG reduction, innovative technologies, water reduction, and green building design.
• Leads the day-to-day delivery of its programs, services and activities.
• Develops and implements innovative business solutions, programs and services, provides leadership and oversight on projects, and collaborates with others on integrated solutions and initiatives across the City of Vancouver.
• Makes decisions on best solutions to be implemented in projects based on technical and financial feasibility.
• Develops and manages reporting managers, supervisors and other staff including selection, training, coaching, performance management and all other people practices.
• Provides career planning advice to staff and creates development plans to help staff achieve their career goals including assigning work which leverages their skills and capabilities and provides them with opportunities for learning.
• Anticipates and analyzes trends in technology and assesses the impact of emerging technologies on the business.
• Creates an environment of collaboration, teamwork and innovation within facilities operations.
• Upholds and advances the City of Vancouver Leadership Competency Model.
• Oversees all aspect of purchasing utilities from the preparation of Requests for Proposals and Quotes, soliciting and reviewing bids to contract award and administration.
• Provides design and construction project management services for energy reduction capital improvement projects including hiring consultants, overseeing energy audits and studies, overseeing project design, construction tendering, and construction project management.
• Identifies opportunities for reduction of energy consumption and alternative and renewable energy supply systems.
• Researches and assesses the feasibility of new technologies designed to improve building energy performance and achieve energy cost savings and sourcing and use of low carbon materials and design approaches.
• Provides leadership in identifying energy performance opportunities; develops and monitors performance indicators to ensure ongoing benefits of improvements.
• Provides advice on new construction or renovation projects to maximize energy performance.
• Identifies partnership opportunities with other public or private groups and/or corporations.

Policies and Practices
• Develops and oversees policies and practices for energy use within civic facilities which may include reducing energy and GHG emissions via controls and other operational optimization approaches.
• Develops and implements a regular reporting process for energy use and improvement programs.
• Develops procedures, methods, and standards and ensures controls are created and followed to foster operational efficiency, monitor compliance, mitigate risks, and achieve unit results.
• Responsible for producing quarterly reporting on GHG emissions and energy use related to the operation of Civic facilities and ensuring individual departments can access related information in a timely fashion.
• Responsible for producing program dashboards and reports such as monthly city wide utility spending reports with a comparison to monthly budgets
• Implements procedures, methods, and standards and ensures controls are created and followed to foster operational efficiency, monitor compliance, mitigate risks, and achieve unit results.
• Manages the implementation of Energy Performance Contracts.
• Provides ongoing education programs and training to facility users, stakeholders and public.
• Maintains appropriate professional designations and up-to-date knowledge of current technology, techniques and tools.

Financial Management
• Provides strategic advice on utility purchasing methodologies.
• Establishes and administers unit’s capital and operating budgets and ensures for cost efficiencies.
• Establishes standards for financial feasibility of energy management projects
• Manages city utility budgets and makes utility purchasing decisions to reduce operating costs across all corporate departments (electricity, natural gas, steam, biomethane, district energy).
• Makes decisions on scope of energy retrofit projects and new construction energy efficiency measures based on financial analysis
• Develops and manages a 10 year capital outlook, 4 year capital plan and annual capital budgets for energy efficiency and GHG reduction projects
• Identifies and implements partnership opportunities for additional funding with other public or private groups and/or corporations.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:
• University degree in Engineering or a related field, Registered Engineer with EGBC or similar professional designation and registration. Or equivalent level of education and experience will be considered.
• CEM (Certified Energy Manager) designation, and Passive House Designer/Consultant Certification with experience implementing heat pump retrofits in commercial/institutional buildings would be an asset.
• Considerable management experience (preferably a minimum of 5 years) in managing a diverse portfolio of buildings, undertaking deep energy and emissions retrofits, implementing operational optimization measures, and informing policies for new zero emissions facilities ideally utilizing low embodied carbon materials.
• Demonstrated experience leading and managing unionized staff and organizational change.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Good knowledge of LEED principles and sustainable design. LEED certification would be an asset.
• Excellent knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, as well as alternative energy opportunities.
• Good knowledge of electricity and natural gas rate structures and experience purchasing bulk natural gas for large transportation rate accounts.
• Ability to provide strategic direction to CMT and Council on facilities energy and GHG reduction targets and implementation strategies.
• Ability to lead a large group of multi-disciplinary professionals and unionized staff in a variety of work locations.
• Ability to develop plans that meet the planning/architecture/technology needs of the organization. Incorporates business vision, plans, priorities, strategies and goals, emerging technologies, industry trends and economic viability.
• Ability to converse with and create/deliver presentations to all levels of colleagues and peer groups, corporate management teams, Council and Boards, in ways that support problem solving and planning.
• Skilled in conflict resolution and having the ability to identify potential pitfalls and problems areas.
• Ability to exercise tact and discretion and work effectively within a team environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write technical and non-technical report.
• Excellent presentation skills
• Ability to lead, coordinate and collaborate with City staff, outside agencies and the public
• Ability to resolve conflict, and manage multiple tasks and competing priorities
• Ability to make effective and timely decisions and manage competing priorities
• Ability to create and manage branch and program budgets, schedules and work plans
• Ability to initiate and implement creative and innovative changes that benefit the City.
• A current and valid BC Driver's License and safe driving record are required.

Where operationally appropriate and subject to change, the City of Vancouver has a Flexible Work Program. This program allows staff to work remotely 1 – 4 days a week from locations that are a daily commutable distance from their work at a City worksite. At this time this position is eligible to be part of the Flexible Work Program.

Business Unit/Department: Real Estate & Facilities Mgmt (1100)

Affiliation: Senior Exempt

Employment Type: Regular Full Time

Position Start Date: March, 2025

Salary Information: Pay Grade RNG-111: $121960 to $160467 per year

Application Close: March 14, 2025

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.