Sustainability Program Manager

The City of Rockville is seeking a Sustainability Program Manager to oversee initiatives from the Climate Action Plan, including electric vehicle infrastructure and renewable energy systems. The role involves managing energy efficiency projects, coordinating with city departments, and leading project teams to enhance municipal sustainability and resiliency. This position is located in Rockville, MD, and is not remote.
Job Summary

We have an exciting new career opportunity for an experienced Sustainability Program Manager to join City of Rockville. This position is ideal for a creative and collaborative individual looking to join an innovative department in an exciting and growing region. The position will implement and manage various City-wide initiatives recommended by the Climate Action Plan (CAP), including the installation and management of electric vehicle infrastructure, installation and management of renewable energy systems, oversight of facility energy management and energy efficiency projects, and other actions to reduce the City of Rockville’s (City’s) municipal carbon emissions and improve the resiliency of public buildings and infrastructure.

Conveniently situated in Montgomery County, just 15 miles northwest of Washington, D.C., Rockville, Maryland is hailed as one of the nation’s leading small cities and one of the top 10 most diverse communities in the nation. Rockville offers a mix of urban and suburban lifestyles with a variety of engaged residential communities. With over 33 years of recognition, Rockville is one of the longest tenured Tree City USA members in Maryland.

Essential Job Functions
• Lead the planning, design, installation, and management of electric vehicle charging infrastructure to serve fleet, employees, and the community. The position also will oversee a capital improvement project to expand electric vehicle charging infrastructure on city property and rights-of-way that aligns with a fleet electrification schedule to support the phased conversion of fleet vehicles that park at various facilities. The position will also oversee a long-term operations and maintenance program for this infrastructure. This position will also support the development and implementation of a Rockville Community Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness Plan.
• Lead feasibility studies, procurement, permitting, installation, and the operation of renewable energy systems on municipal properties. This may involve overseeing Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) for renewable energy installations, solar photovoltaic installations with battery backup, microgrids, and/or microgrid ready projects.
• Plan and execute an energy management program for city-operated facilities, fleet, street and traffic lights, and water and sewer utilities to meet cost control, efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability goals and comply with state and county building energy benchmarking and performance standards. Strategies include but are not limited to utility billing monitoring and recovery, tracking and reporting energy consumption in EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, managing energy audits and efficiency upgrades, energy procurement, demand response, stakeholder coordination, behavioral change, education and training, policy, and renewable energy deployment.
• Coordinate with other City departments to assess vulnerabilities and improve the resiliency of public infrastructure, facilities, and services; including assessing the needs, options and funding sources for backup power to serve critical functions and services.
• Lead small and medium scale project teams, including scoping work and specifications, evaluating technical and price proposals, managing contracts, engaging stakeholders, obtaining permits and approvals from regulatory agencies, monitoring installation and the work of contractors and consultants, coordinating projects schedules, and managing budgets, invoices and grants.
• Research funding sources, prepare applications, execute agreements, and oversee various federal, state, and utility grants and incentives to support energy and sustainability projects and programs.
• Develop an approach to measure, track and report progress and compliance to elected officials, the public, and outside agencies.
• Implement programs and maintain compliance with City-wide ordinances and policies and applicable federal, state and county environmental laws, rules, and permits.
• Support the Environmental Management Division’s strategic planning, capital and operating budget preparation, training, and public education and outreach efforts.
• Prepare briefings and present findings, analyses, and program recommendations to senior management, elected officials, the public and other interested audiences
• Support the research, development, implementation, and periodic updates of long-range strategic plans, such as the Sustainability Strategy, Energy Action Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Environmental Element of the Comprehensive Master Plan.
• Serve on national, state, regional, and county sustainability committees and task forces, including those organized by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) and Montgomery County’s Interagency Committee on Utilities Management (ICEUM).
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in electrical, mechanical or environmental engineering, environmental science, architecture, energy efficiency, or closely related field and seven (7) years of progressively responsible work in environmental, energy or sustainability programs, or any equivalent combination of education and experience. A Master's degree is preferred. Professional licensure in engineering or architecture, Project Management (PMP), Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED AP), or Certified Energy Management (CEM) certification or equivalent is preferred, but not required.

Special Qualifications

Must possess a valid State of Maryland driver's license as issued by the Motor Vehicle Administration.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
• Knowledge of the technologies and practices related to energy efficiency, solar photovoltaic, renewable energy, electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, green building design, green purchasing, energy resiliency, and portfolio and asset-level data management.
• Knowledge of emerging technologies and business models to plan, finance, and manage energy efficiency, renewable energy, and microgrid and/or electric vehicle charging infrastructure projects.
• Knowledge and understanding of climate change issues, greenhouse gas reduction strategies, and mitigation approaches.
• Expertise in complex procurement, legal, technical, and stakeholder elements of implementing long-term energy and sustainability projects in a government context that maintains sound financial practices.
• Experience with design/construction management, contract administration, performance management, and quality control.
• Skills to develop metrics, reports, and communication materials to monitor and assess performance.
• Knowledge and understanding of project management.
• Knowledge of computers and basic software such as word processing and spreadsheet programs, as well as GIS tools.
• Skill in program leadership, stakeholder outreach, and providing education/training.
• Ability to deal firmly but tactfully with contractors, employees, property owners and the public contacted in the course of the work, occasionally under adverse conditions.
• Ability to review engineering plans, specifications and documents and discern and correct errors in design and criteria.
• Skill in written and verbal communication, including public speaking.
• Skill in collaboration, coordination, and team skills.
• Skill in attention to detail and strong organizational skills.
• Ability to perform critical strategic thinking and project planning.
• Ability to write and evaluate grants.
• Ability to assess personal job performance and that of an assigned team.
• Basic understanding and ability to learn government procurement systems and processes.

Summary Of Employee Benefits

The following is a brief summary of the major benefits provided to new full-time, regular employees. Part-time, regular employees working more than 20 hours per week may be entitled to these benefits on a pro-rated basis in accordance with Rockville City Laws and personnel policies and procedures. Benefits are not available to temporary employees. Details about benefits and costs for full-time and part-time employees are available by calling the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.

Group Insurance Plans

Health Insurance

Participation is available in one of a number of types of health plans. The City contributes toward each plan. Participation is optional. Detailed information about each plan and the associated cost is available through the Human Resources Department.

Employees may participate in one of the following plans: Aetna HMO $30/$40, Aetna HMO $30/40 Deductible, Aetna HMO Health Reimbursement Account, Aetna Point of Service, Kaiser Permanente HMO, or Kaiser Permanente Point of Service. Start date of coverage is the date of hire or the first of the following month.
• Summary of Aetna Health Plan Benefits
• Summary of Kaiser Permanente Health Plan Benefits
• Health Plan Rates

Aetna

Rockville Group: 118583-011

Member Services: (800) 445-5299 or (888) 792-3862 (Rx Services)

Web Site: http://www.aetna.com

Kaiser Permanente

Rockville Group: 4205-4 (HMO)

Member Services: (301) 468-6000 or (800) 777-7902

TTY: (301) 816-6344

Web Site: http://www.kp.org

Dental Plan

Employees may join the City's dental program and receive dental benefits in addition to any such benefits provided by the group health plans. The City contributes a portion of the cost of each employee's dental coverage. If dental coverage is waived, the City's contribution is reallocated toward the employee's health plan cost. Start date of coverage is the first of the month following date of hire.
• Dental Plan Rates

Guardian Dental

Customer Service: (800) 541-7846

Web Site: http://www.guardiananytime.com/

Vision Insurance

City of Rockville is offers a vision plan with VSP. Members will have a $130 allowance (in-network) for lenses/frames or contacts. Go to www.vsp.com to locate a participating provider. VSP members get a 20% savings on additional glasses and sunglasses, including lens enhancements, from any VSP provider within 12 months of your last WellVision Exam. Ask your provider about Laser Vision Correction discounts as well.
• Vision Plan Rates

Group Life Insurance

The City provides life insurance equal to one and one-half times an employee's base salary. There is no cost to the employee for this benefit. Employees have the option of purchasing additional supplemental life insurance coverage for self, spouse and dependent child(ren). New employees joining within their first 30 days will not be required to provide evidence of insurability.

Leave

Annual Leave

Annual Leave Ranges From 16 To 23 Days Per Year Depending Upon The Length Of Service With The City. Leave May Be Used As It Is Accrued With The Permission Of The Employee's Supervisor. Annual Leave Is Paid At Termination After Completing Six (6) Months Of Service. An Employee Normally Accrues Annual Leave In The Following Manner

Months of Service

Monthly Vacation Accrual in Hours

(37.5 hrs/wk)/(40 hrs/wk)

1-24 Months

10.00 / 10.40

25-60 Months

11.53 / 12.40

61-96 Months

13.08 / 14.00

97+ Months

14.23 / 15.20

Holidays

Administrative and Police employees generally receive the following eleven (11) holidays per year.

New Year's Day

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Presidents' Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans' Day

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Friday

Christmas Day

The City also observes all days of general and congressional elections throughout the State of Maryland. This holiday falls on even numbered years. Union employees and certain other employees may receive different holidays in accordance with the terms of a contractual agreement.

Sick Leave

Sick leave is earned monthly at the rate of 1.25 days per completed month of service. There is no waiting period for using earned sick leave nor is there a limit to the amount of earned sick leave that may be used in connection with any legitimate illness.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Dependent Care FSA

The Dependent Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $5,000 on a pre-tax basis for eligible dependent care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these eligible expenses and agree to have this amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. When expenses are incurred, employees submit a receipt and are reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.

Medical FSA

The Medical Care FSA allows employees to set aside up to $3,200 on a pre-tax basis for eligible health care expenses. Prior to the beginning of each calendar year, employees estimate the amount of these expenses and agree to have that amount deducted from their annual salary on a bi-weekly basis. Employees avoid paying federal, state, and Social Security taxes on the total amount of their deferral. An employee may use a FSA debit card to pay for eligible expenses, or may submit receipts when expenses are incurred in order to be reimbursed from their account. A detailed description of the plan is available in the Human Resources Department.

Pre-tax Deductions for Health Insurance

Through Section 125 of the Internal Revenue Code, pre-tax payroll deductions may be made for the City's health and dental insurance premiums. Pre-tax deductions allow employees to avoid paying Federal, State, and F.I.C.A. taxes on the amounts of these payroll deducted premiums.

Wex Benefits

Customer Service: (866) 451-3399

Web Site: http://www.discoverybenefits.com/

Retirement Programs

Retirement Plan

The City's retirement plans consist of a Defined Benefit and a Defined Contribution portion. Administrative and Union employees may contribute between one (1) and five (5) percent of their base salary, on a pre-tax basis, to the defined contribution portion. The deferral election is made at the time of employment and may not be changed. Therefore, employees are advised to give considerable thought to their decision of what percent to contribute. The City will make a matching contribution of 50 cents for each dollar contributed. A minimum of one (1) percent participation is mandatory.

Employees have different investment fund options in which to direct contributions. The investment direction may be changed biweekly. Vesting in the Defined Contribution portion occurs at the beginning of the 3rd year. Normal retirement is age 60 or 65 depending on date of hire.

The Defined Benefit portion of the retirement plan is based on a percentage of average annual salary multiplied by length of credited service. Administrative employees are required to make a mandatory one (1) percent contribution to the Defined Benefit portion of the plan. Vesting occurs after ten (10) years.

Police Officers contribute 8.5 percent of their earnings on a pre-tax basis to a defined benefit pension plan. Normal retirement for police officers is permitted at the earlier of age 60 or after 25 years of service, regardless of age. Benefits at retirement are based on a percentage of final average earnings multiplied by length of credited service.
• Pension Plan for Administrative Employees
• Pension Plan for Police Employees
• Pension Plan for Union Employees
• City of Rockville Thrift & Supplemental Plan Summary

Retirement Plan Administrator:

Lincoln Financial

Retirement Plan

Member Services: (800) 234-3500

Website: https://lincolnfinancial.com

Deferred Compensation (457) Plan

The deferred compensation plan is designed specifically for City employees, and makes it possible to defer income and the payment of income taxes on the deferred investment. The plan is not meant for short-term savings or investment purposes as monies deferred are generally not available until termination or retirement.

Employees may defer the lesser of 25 percent of base salary or a minimum of $10.00 per pay up to the current IRS limit on a pre-tax basis.

Roth 457

The Roth 457 is a supplemental retirement plan which is funded through employee contributions only. Employees are eligible to enroll from the date of hire. Contributions are taxed but earnings grow tax free.

Lincoln Financial

Member Services: (877) 234-3500

www.lincolnfinancial.com

Social Security

Regular employees receive employer contributions to Social Security (also known as FICA). Social Security benefits are available in accordance with Federal law.

For more information about benefits, contact the Human Resources Department at 240-314-8470.

Credit Union

Employees may participate in the Sky Point Federal Credit Union, conveniently located at Courthouse Square in Rockville. This credit union also participates in Family Service Center with shared branches available throughout the metropolitan area. Services include savings and checking accounts, loans, payroll deduction, and direct deposit.

Sky Point Federal Credit Union

Member Services: (301) 279-1964

Legal Resources

Through Legal Resources, participating employees and their eligible family members can get free advice, consultation, and courtroom representation for common legal services.

Member Services: 1-800-728-5768

Web Site: http://legalresources.com/

Employee Assistance Program

The City provides free, confidential counseling, assessment, and referral services to help employees deal with personal problems. Trained, certified employee assistance counselors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is also available for family members who are eligible health insurance plan dependents.

BHS EAP

24 hour Assistance Line (800) 327-2251

Web Site: http://www.bhsonline.com/

Long-term Disability Programs

The City's Income Protection Plan provides long-term disability benefits for both on and off the job injuries or illnesses. Coverage for off the job injuries or illnesses is provided after one year of employment with the City. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.

College Savings Plans

College America is a 529 college savings plan that can help you build a nest egg for college. These plans, named after a section of the tax code, were created by Congress to offer significant tax advantages to those who invest for higher education. Details are available from the Human Resources Department.