Position Summary: New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) provides resources and programs to improve building and resource efficiency, addressing environmental issues and social inequities to support lasting change. The collaborative team manages numerous programs across nearly 1,600 schools and 1,500 buildings that foster stakeholder engagement, climate action, and optimize operations to reduce environmental impact.
The Office of Energy & Sustainability (OES) works with school-based stakeholders, central NYCPS Offices, non-profit partners, and other City agencies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce waste and maximize waste diversion, and support the connection of climate and sustainability leadership and action to staff and students. The mission-focused Office supports a variety of ambitious, City-aligned sustainability and climate goals and Mayoral initiatives.
The Energy Manager, Lighting Programs will oversee all LED lighting and control upgrade projects to comply with Local Law 88 and Local Law 97 guidelines and targets in over 1500 buildings. The incumbent will oversee the daily progress of projects to ensure they are completed accurately per technical specifications, on time, on budget, and with transparency and a high degree of professionalism. This position will serve as the primary liaison between contractors/subcontractors, OES, DCAS Division of Energy Management, school leadership, and Custodian Engineers, demonstrating a high level of communication and knowledge.
The incumbent will serve as the subject matter expert for the team and partners, shaping the strategy, funding, and progress as part of near, mid, and long-term decarbonization commitments. This position will identify and address issues and work to resolve in effort to build and maintain a high-quality program. The incumbent must possess strong management skills and be able to work collaboratively with the OES team, contractors, other city agencies, school administrators, and facility personnel. Performs related work.
Reports to: Director of Energy Management
Direct Reports: N/A
Key Relationships: Work closely with the Director of Energy Management, Energy Managers, Chief Sustainability & Decarbonization Officer and Office of Energy & Sustainability team, technical and Maintenance teams, Custodian Engineers, Division of School Facilities- central and borough teams, contractors, school-based staff, New York Power Authority, Department of Citywide Administrative Services’ (DCAS) Division of Energy Management (DEM), School Construction Authority, Department of Buildings.
Responsibilities
- Serves as primary point of contact on behalf of all NYCPS to coordinate lighting projects with key school personnel (e.g. Principals, Custodian Engineers, faculty and union reps), Division of School Facilities staff, DCAS, NYPA, School Construction Authority (SCA), and contractors/subcontractors, including scheduling, kick-off meetings, inspections, and completion meetings.
- Manages the planning, procedures, coordination, troubleshooting/issue resolution, stakeholder engagement, and tracking of key metrics to ensure successful implementation of all lighting and controls upgrades to comply with LL88 and LL97 guidelines and targets in over 1500 buildings.
- Analyzes and tracks performance data, including energy savings and avoided emissions; develops new targets and metrics as needed.
- Serves as the primary liaison, subject matter expert (electrical, lighting, LEDs, controls, data acquisition systems or other tools), and provides technical assistance for schools, partners, contractors, and leadership.
- Oversees contractor performance and compliance with School Construction Authority’s technical specifications.
- Responsible for reporting on key performance indicators related to all lighting projects and progress as well as preparing all necessary SOPs and recommendations for continuous improvement. Compiles and provides timely status updates and impact reports for leadership team and partners.
- Develops project scopes of work through surveys and site visits; liaises with Contractors to develop cost estimates for projects (e.g. for use in funding applications); coordinates with all Contractor teams to ensure site access, communications, and deliverables; manages the delivery of all projects and manages all related contracts and Contractors throughout project delivery.
- Reviews contractor proposals for accuracy, supports projects throughout their duration, and performs final inspections to ensure that all expectations, technical specifications, and applicable standards/codes are met with fidelity.
- Resolves technical project issues and manages project documentation, including work orders, purchase orders, scopes of work, cost proposals and invoices, and project status sheets. Maintains accurate documentation and manages all data and updates for projects, including information from Contractors.
- Manages all program metrics and information for reporting (e.g. for local laws, funding, Annual Report) as well as for office outreach.
- Leads borough and citywide coordination to ensure lighting modernization efforts integrate seamlessly with Operations & Maintenance planning, retro-commissioning measures, and broader energy-reduction strategies across 1,500+ buildings.
- Establishes rigorous documentation, verification, and performance standards to ensure all lighting controls, equipment schedules, and sequences of operation are implemented and maintained in accordance with NYCPS policy, technical specifications, and decarbonization priorities.
- Conducts high-level analysis of lighting-related energy consumption and operational impacts, leveraging complex data systems to benchmark performance, identify systemic inefficiencies, and drive strategic program adjustments.
- Identifies workforce training needs and develops comprehensive training plans to strengthen facility staff and contractor proficiency in lighting systems, controls, preventative maintenance, and optimal energy-efficient operation.
Qualification Requirements:
Minimum
- Nine years of full-time satisfactory experience doing field work as an inspector, supervisor, manager or consultant in building maintenance, construction or installation of electrical, heating, ventilating, air conditioning or sanitary equipment, at least 18 months of which must have been in a supervisory, managerial or consultative capacity.
- Education leading toward a baccalaureate degree in engineering or architecture from an accredited college may be substituted for the experience described above on a year-for-year basis, up to a maximum of three years of experience. However, all candidates must have the 18 months of supervisory, managerial or consultative experience described above.
Preferred
- Understanding of building energy systems, specifically lighting, controls, and/or electrical, etc.
- Strong customer service skills and problem-solving approach.
- Ability to effectively manage large numbers of concurrent projects as well as effectively work with diverse groups in a fast-paced, multi-deadline, and impact-driven environment. Organization skills are a must!
- Experience working with numerous contractors and subcontractor teams and related processes for energy and/or construction-related projects.
- Strong strategic thinking, project management skills, ability to proactively identify key issues and risks, and ability to make recommendations based on data and reasoning to senior leadership.
- Self-motivated and able to perform independent work with high degree of accountability and performance.
- Ability to develop thoughtful and creative approaches for addressing a wide range of issues.
- Highly proficient in Microsoft Office 365 applications and large dataset management.
- High level of proficiency with a wide range of analytical and presentation/data visualization tools.
- Rigorous quality control standards and ability to multitask and meet multiple deadlines in a highly dynamic team environment.
- Candidates with CEA, CEM, CBCP, or BOC 1 certifications.
- Willingness to work beyond the boundaries of the job description to contribute to a team committed to a new future for sustainability, energy management, and urban education.
- Good sense of humor, patience, and exceptional interpersonal skills; the ability to work cooperatively with a dynamic office, division, and broader organizational teams/staff, agency and community partners.
Salary: $110,969 - $114,000
(Internal candidates who are selected for this position and who currently hold comparable or less senior positions within the DOE will not earn less than their current salary.)
Please include a resume and cover letter with your application.
NOTE: The filling of all positions is subject to budget availability and/or grant funding.
* New York City Residency is NOT Required *
We encourage all applicants from the New York City tri-state area to apply.