Associate Sustainability Specialist

Job Title:                                  Associate Sustainability Specialist

Primary Work Location(s):        New York City (Bronx, NY Office) / Hybrid

Overview:  Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) is a rapidly growing nonprofit energy services and training organization dedicated to achieving energy efficiency in buildings to foster and maintain affordable and healthy housing and communities. Energy consulting services are completed through AEA’s participation in a variety of federal, state, and local energy efficiency initiatives. AEA is a New York based organization, with over 30 years of industry experience.  For more information about AEA, see http://www.aea.us.org.

Position Summary:  AEA is seeking an associate sustainability specialist to join our diverse, talented team of energy professionals. The candidate must have at least two (2) years of experience in conducting physical needs assessment for Integrated Physical Needs Assessment (IPNA) and/or Capital Needs Assessment (CNA) programs including completion of NYC Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)/New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) IPNA tool or US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) CNA e-tool and final report. 

If you are passionate about energy conservation and renewable energy, you love buildings, and you’re seeking to learn from an experienced organization in a hands-on environment, this is the place for you.

The associate sustainability specialist will work independently and collaboratively as part of a team to conduct physical needs assessment for IPNA and/or CNA, in affordable multifamily buildings. The associate sustainability specialist shall perform all aspects of IPNA and/or CNA necessary to prepare a final report for delivery to client including but not limited to, on-site data collection, building diagnostics, data analysis, energy analysis, and report production.  They are expected to be a self-starter, an independent problem solver, and a strong team player. The associate sustainability specialist will report to program manager in AEA’s Technical Services department.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

The Associate Sustainability Specialist will be responsible for the following:

1. Client proposals and coordination:
   • Prepare IPNA/CNA cost proposals for clients.
   • Assist management in crafting comprehensive proposals.
   • Coordinate and schedule site visits with clients.
2. Site visit leadership and data collection:
   • Lead teams during site visits to gather data for IPNA/CNA reports.
   • Conduct in-field assessments, including on-site diagnostics, inspections, and data analysis.
3. Report preparation and delivery:
   • Compile team-collected data to complete IPNA/CNA reports.
   • Prepare IPNA reports, including necessary analyses for IPNA or CNA e-tool submissions.
   • Ensure timely delivery of final reports and follow up with clients as needed.
4. Data and cost management:
   • Maintain a cost library for recommended measures.
   • Manage a database of all project opportunities and relevant data.
   • Track and process invoices and payments.
5. Departmental support and compliance projects:
   • Assist the department operations manager in maintaining a database of IPNA/CNA projects.
   • Support the Technical Services department with energy audits, LL-87/LL-97 compliance assessments, and retro-commissioning efforts.
   • Contribute to field evaluations for space heating, cooling, and domestic hot water electrification opportunities.
6. General:
   • Continuously refine processes to meet AEA’s program implementation standards and organizational goals. 

These job responsibilities may be revised over time to ensure the functional responsiveness of the associate sustainability specialist to requirements of AEA and the programs we implement.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, energy management, environmental science, construction management or other sustainability- related focus, with a demonstrated interest in energy conservation and knowledge of building science 
• Knowledge of multifamily building systems including lighting technologies, building envelope, mechanical systems, and combustion science.
• Experience in the use of energy modeling software, e.g. TREAT, eQUEST, DOE2 programs.
• Sound English language technical writing skills and experience.

Additional Qualifications Desired:

• Basic knowledge and understanding of New York building codes and energy related ASHRAE standards.
• BPI Multifamily Building Analyst or AEE Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification or licensed PE strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of NYC energy related Local Laws (84, 133, 87, 97 etc.).
• Familiarity with government and utility incentive and rebate programs.
• Ability to perform cost savings analyses and fuel data analyses.
• Experience conducting physical needs assessments is a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, including Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Must be able to legally work in the country where this position is located without visa sponsorship.

AEA requires a COVID-19 vaccination for all employees. Therefore, all new employees are required to present proof of vaccination status upon hire unless they qualify for a medical or religious exemption.

EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement:

Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, immigration or citizenship status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or partnership status, disability, military status, veteran status, or predisposing genetic characteristics. AEA does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For more information on the physical requirements of this position and/or if you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify Human Resources at 718-292-6733 ext. 8265.

We maintain an inclusive culture where everyone feels safe to contribute and help us innovate, and we encourage people from diverse backgrounds to apply to our roles.

TO APPLY: Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume to be considered. In your cover letter, please share examples of AEA’s past or current work that is most exciting to you and why. We will not be reviewing resumes without a cover letter.

You may find all our open positions at our Careers site here: https://aea.us.org/about/#careers 

AEA offers excellent benefits, including medical/dental/vision, commuter plan, 401(k) w/matching contribution, generous PTO, educational assistance, paid parental leave, hybrid work arrangement and many development opportunities. We are also an eligible employer for student loan forgiveness.