Energy Program Specialist

Description

The Community Services Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time Energy Program Specialist vacancy in Santa Barbara.

Under general direction, performs difficult and complex administrative/analytical functions related to the preparation, review and analysis of a variety of functions pertaining to organizational, operational, and/or budgetary operations within County government and departments; policy and procedure studies in support of assigned department(s) and/or job family; functions as subject matter expert in specific areas of assigned duties; plans, directs, and oversees projects and programs with others in the County and the community; provides advanced level staff assistance to management staff and executives; and performs other duties as assigned.

The Energy Program Specialist will focus on the Commercial Energy Savings program, a new incentive program for commercial businesses from 3C-REN (Tri-County Regional Energy Network). This position will lead engagement with commercial entities that may be interested in conducting energy upgrades on their facilities throughout the tri-county area. The position will focus on both identifying interested businesses (and related outreach efforts) and supporting those businesses in identifying and implementing upgrades via enrollment in programs, identification of grants or other funding, and exploring other avenues. The position will connect businesses to 3C-REN's Commercial program, coordinate with the local tri-county Green Business Networks on energy upgrade opportunities, and track all relevant programs and funding opportunities for commercial customers. The position will also provide general support to all of 3C-REN's energy efficiency programs. Activities may include research, data analysis, stakeholder engagement, coordination with contractors, facilitation of educational programming, contract management, program outreach, and support of policy initiatives. This position will work closely with other Sustainability Division team members, as well as stakeholders across the County organization and staff at Ventura and San Luis Obispo Counties, as members of 3C-REN. Join our team as an Energy Program Specialist in Santa Barbara and be at the forefront of driving sustainability and energy efficiency initiatives in our community!

Note: The county is currently engaged in a management classification and compensation project which is projected to result in changes to this job classification and compensation range at the conclusion of the project.

Pending board approval, effective June 24th, 2024, this position is projected to be a Community Resources Management Professional Senior classification under the new management classification and compensation structure. The salary range for this position is projected to be $90,833.60 - $115,939.20 annually.

If hired into this position after June 24th, 2024, this position will be at-will and exempt from Civil Service protections. (applicable to Manager I, II, III levels).

ABOUT THE DIVISION: As part of the County of Santa Barbara's Community Services Department, the Sustainability Division collaborates across County departments and regionally to create opportunities that empower and connect people to enhance the environment and our quality of life. The division is guided by the County's Energy and Climate Action Plan, which seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from County operations and communitywide.

For more about the division visit https://www.countyofsb.org/341/Sustainability-Initiatives. For more about 3C-REN, visit https://www.3c-ren.org

The Ideal Candidate possesses:

• Familiarity with climate change and environmental and social sustainability topics

• Comfort interacting with diverse stakeholders

• Experience quantifying and communicating the environmental, social, and economic benefits of sustainability

• Extraordinary attention to detail, organizational abilities, and problem-solving skills

• Self-motivated with strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize tasks and effectively manage competing deadlines

• Excellent interpersonal and verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build strong professional relationships

• Demonstrates a strong commitment to collaboration and actively contributes to a positive team environment

• Ability to adapt to changing policy direction and funding source requirements

• Experience in the field of energy efficiency working with contractors, customers, distributors, utilities, workforce development programs or other related groups

• Experience working with or for small to medium businesses

• Experience with client management

Examples of Duties

• Serves as a resource to assigned department, programs, and projects; provides technical direction, advice, and support; participates in the development of policies, procedures and standards for program development and review; acts as a primary resource regarding County systems, organization, operations, and services.

• Reviews and analyzes operations, activities and budgets and provides recommendations and alternative solutions; reviews and analyzes policies and procedures; assists in the identification of opportunities for improvement and development of new policies and procedures.

• Consults on issues related to budget preparation, analysis, presentation, and review.

• Plans, develops, and implements a variety of programs and projects in accordance with the County's goals and objectives to inform the public; communicates internally with employees and may communicate externally with news media representatives, community and civic groups, public agencies, and private organizations.

• Assists and supports the department in creating operational strategies, identifying, and resolving operations issues, and monitoring corrective actions.

• Oversees, coordinates, and participates in special projects and programs and serves as the subject matter expert; develops implementation strategies and monitors the status of assigned programs and projects; provides leadership and direction to interdepartmental team members; prepares reports, correspondence, and memoranda, and makes presentations that include recommended action to various levels of leadership in the organization.

• Directs and manages the work of consultants; prepares requests for proposals, reviews bids, interviews and selects consultants; manages workflow, establishes expectations and priorities and monitors outcomes; negotiates contracts.

• Builds and maintains positive working relationships with elected and appointed officials, coworkers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.

• Maintains and updates expertise in designated specialty areas; monitors current events and changes to laws, standards, rules, and regulations and analyzes the effect on the County's operations and services; prepares reports with updates, analyses, and recommendations; represents the County's interests.

• Develops, manages, implements, and maintains major County-wide initiatives, programs, or projects; leads team meetings in a positive and motivational manner; makes decisions and recommendations with the long-term benefit of the County in mind; coordinates interjurisdictional, interdepartmental, and/or interagency activities; communicates to appropriate County entities.

• Prepares and presents responses to questions, issues or concerns related to assigned projects, programs, and specialty area.

• Represents the County to the public and to other agencies in a positive and productive manner.

• May provide direct supervision over professional, technical, and clerical staff including assigning, directing, training, and evaluating subordinates.

• Oversees, coordinates, and participates in research and analysis on a variety of issues and topics related to designated areas of responsibility; performs extensive review of related issues through interviews, correspondence, readings and other research methods; prepares highly detailed, comprehensive reports relating findings to the specific needs and concerns of the County; provides recommendations to the departments, County Executive Office and Board of Supervisors.

• Performs other related duties as required.

Employment Standards

The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below may be acquired through various types of training, education, and experience. A typical way to acquire the required knowledge and abilities would be:

• Equivalent of a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university a field related to the specified job family and,
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience involving planning, analysis, coordination, and evaluation in a field related to the specified job family.

Licenses and Certificates

For specific positions, possession and maintenance of a valid California driver's license and the ability to meet automobile insurability requirements of the County or the ability to provide suitable transportation needs as a condition of continued employment.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.

• Standard and accepted methods of writing requests for proposals, selecting consultants and negotiating contracts.

• Principles and practices of public administration and principles of organization, management, and staffing.

• Pertinent local, state, and federal laws, guidelines, regulations, and statutes.

• Principles and practices of public finance, budgeting, and fiscal control.

• Standard research techniques, including the use of surveys and questionnaires.

• Principles and practices of local government, including county administration, organization, programs, and functions.

• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.

• Computer software, including word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database applications.

• English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

Ability to:

• Read, analyze, evaluate, and summarize written materials and statistical data including reports, financial reports, and budgets.

• Compose, coordinate, and edit a variety of educational, informational, and promotional materials for dissemination and use by the County, other agencies, news media, and the general public.

• Apply the principles and practices of motivation, team building and conflict resolution.

• Obtain information through interview process; successfully accomplish multiple assignments; deal firmly and courteously with the public.

• Determine effective method of research; compile data and present it in a form most likely to enhance understanding.

• Prepare reports, statistical data, forms, questionnaires, and surveys.

• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.

• Interpret and apply pertinent local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, apply appropriate elements of decision making and determine the proper course of action.

• Effectively deal with high levels of ambiguity and possess the ability to navigate through the ambiguity.

• Exercise initiative, sound independent judgment, tact, sensitivity, and discretion and maintain confidentiality within established guidelines.

• Collaborate with various community groups in a tactful and effective manner.

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

• Make effective presentations to the community and the media.

• Understand, interpret, explain, and apply complex rules and procedures.

• Analyze systems and administrative and management practices and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of individuals, including but not limited to coworkers, subordinate staff, supervisors, other managers, professional agencies, and the general public.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

May be required to work a varied schedule of hours, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Completion of a background investigation to the satisfaction of the County may be required for some assignments.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

• Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking - Applicants who meet the employment standards will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by the responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than [11] qualified candidates.

Candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will communicate with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Conditional Job Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. The appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

BENEFITS: For more information on County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity

• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

NOTE: The County may provide reimbursement for reasonable relocation expenses, and at the discretion of the CEO, can provide flexible relocation assistance, student loan offsets and cash incentives.

Disaster Service Worker: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting Black, Latinx, Indigenous, Asian, and socioeconomically disadvantaged community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing, the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at 4:59 p.m. PST, postmarks not accepted. You can view job postings and apply online 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Chanel Y. Turner, cturner@countyofsb.org