Agency Chief Decarbonization Officer

Where to Apply: https://cityjobs.nyc.gov/job/agency-chief-decarbonization-officer-in-nyc-all-boros-jid-10159 

The NYC DCAS Division of Energy Management (DEM), on behalf of the City of New York, is seeking to hire eight Agency Chief Decarbonization Officers (ACDO) to serve in multiple agencies. 

Important note: These positions will sit in one of the following agencies: Department of Citywide Administrative Services, Department of Cultural Affairs, Department of Correction, Department of Parks and Recreation, Department of Sanitation, New York City Health and Hospitals, New York City Public Schools, and New York City Police Department. Agency descriptions can be accessed by copying and pasting the following link in your browser: bit.ly/NYC-gov-ACDO 

Applicants should indicate the agency(s) they are applying for in their cover letter.
Applications without an agency selection in their cover letters will not be considered.

Description:

The ACDO will be accountable for directing all efforts to reach their agency’s decarbonization targets established under LL97 of 2019, which mandates that the City achieve 40% emissions reductions by 2025 and 50% reductions by 2030. The ACDO will serve as an executive-level strategist, partnering with agency leadership and staff to fully embed energy efficiency and decarbonization considerations into agency policy, operations, and capital planning. The ACDO will foster within the agency a highly skilled, cohesive, and empowered group of professionals managing (1) the agency’s energy portfolio and (2) the agency’s compliance with LL97.

Job Responsibilities:

The ACDO will report directly to the leadership team of the agency, with wide latitude for independent judgment. The ACDO will be charged with responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Leadership of agency decarbonization strategy. Lead execution of the agency’s strategy for delivering on its portfolio-wide 40x25 and 50x30 emissions reductions targets. Track emissions metrics and be accountable to agency and City leadership on progress. Advise agency leadership about strategic opportunities, critical issues and risks impacting the decarbonization efforts on agency operations. Represent the agency in interactions with partners in the areas of energy management and decarbonization, including local, state and federal agencies, DCAS Energy Management (DEM), Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice (MOCEJ).

2. Oversight of agency-wide energy project implementation. Oversee the agency’s efforts to deliver energy efficiency retrofit, building optimization, and clean energy projects. Ensure all projects remain on schedule, costs are controlled and within budget, and that staff are meeting project milestones and executing against project goals.

3. Budget allocation and management, including integrated capital planning. Working closely with the agency’s finance team, ensure emissions reduction considerations are integrated into all capital project planning work, and report the carbon impact project information through carbon capital budgeting (in compliance with EO 89 and Local Law 101 of 2021: amendment to the administrative code in relation to reductions in and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions). Guide budget allocation decisions and diversify energy efficiency funding by (1) managing allocated funding resources in partnership with DEM and OMB, and (2) expanding access to funding beyond City sources (via federal grants and utility incentives).

4. Energy-related contracting and procurement resource development. Improve the use of existing energy contracts and develop new contracting and procurement resources to expand the agency’s ability to implement decarbonization initiatives. As appropriate, work closely with the Agency Chief Contracting Officer (ACCO), interagency contracting working group, Mayor’s Office of Contracting Services (MOCS) and the DCAS’ Office of Citywide Procurement to build out and optimize innovative project delivery mechanisms.

5. Oversight of agency participation in energy / utility programs. Working closely with DEM, develop agency-wide heat, light, and power budget. Support essential utility account and meter management, address energy billing concerns, and advance demand response participation.

6. Lead staff, workforce, and organizational development, and craft and implement change management. Convene disparate agency business units (e.g., planning, procurement, legal, operations and budget) to facilitate more collaborative and transparent decision-making. Drive both adaptive and transformational culture change to integrate emissions reduction priorities into the agency’s mission, policy and operations. Ensure agency has the appropriate structure and necessary allocation of energy and sustainability staff, by leading the hiring, training, and professional development of new and relevant personnel. In partnership with DEM, drive agency participation within a community of energy management, decarbonization, and sustainability professionals through training, internal programs and events.

7. Implement agency-specific and portfolio-specific decarbonization, energy management, and sustainability initiatives. For example, implementation of a decarbonization strategy for cultural institution groups, integration of sustainability and energy conservation education into the school curriculum, or development of a climate resilience plan for continuous hospital operations especially for communities at risk of climate-related harm.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or architectural technology, biology, building science, chemistry, climate and society, climate science, city or urban planning, construction management, earth science, economics, energy management, engineering or engineering technology, environmental law, science, or studies, facilities management, mathematics, physics, public administration, public policy, statistics, sustainability, urban studies, or a related field, or a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school with a concentration in environmental law, and two (2) years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy, environmental, or sustainability-related data analysis, program management, strategic planning, or a related field, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity; or
   
   2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and four (4) years of satisfactory, full-time experience as described in “1” above, at least eighteen (18) months of which must have been in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity; or
   
   3. Education and/or experience equivalent to “1” or “2” above. However, all candidates must have at least eighteen (18) months of experience in an administrative, managerial, executive, consultative, or supervisory capacity as described in “1” above.

Preferred Skills:

The ideal candidate will combine analytical rigor and technical expertise with entrepreneurial thinking and strong management skills to achieve robust results for the City and its residents. The preferred candidate will bring the following skills and experience to this position:

• A master's degree from an accredited college in Engineering, Environmental Policy, Environmental Science, Political Science, Business Administration, Public Administration, Public Policy, Urban Planning, or a closely related field.
• At least 15 years of full-time, relevant professional and managerial experience.
• Acknowledged achievements in the energy and sustainability field and a strong commitment to energy efficiency and GHG emissions reductions.
• Strong experience in leading and implementing large energy construction, retrofits, and building optimization programs and projects across a diverse portfolio of facilities.
• Strong experience implementing broad, critical, complex, technical, legislative, and regulatory policy and economic initiatives.
• Strong experience in City of New York infrastructure, procurement, budget, and contract management.
• Ability to manage individuals and stakeholders in a dynamic environment, including ability to lead and engage large teams, implement change and communicate effectively.
• Exceptional written and oral interpersonal communication skills.
• Exceptional organizational and leadership abilities.
• Relevant professional licenses (e.g., PE, RA) and/or industry-recognized certification or credentials (e.g., from Association of Energy Engineers, American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, or U.S. Green Building Council.)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness:

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education's website at a https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Residency Requirement:

New York City residency is generally required within 90 days of appointment. However, City Employees in certain titles who have worked for the City for 2 continuous years may also be eligible to reside in Nassau, Suffolk, Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, or Orange County. To determine if the residency requirement applies to you, please discuss with the agency representative at the time of interview.

Additional Information:

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

Location: NYC-ALL BOROS

Civil Service: No Exam Required