Business Analyst - Climate and Energy

This position is located within the Department of Climate and Energy in the Office of Sustainability and Environmental Resources, within the Office of the County Executive. The Department is largely responsible for administering climate and energy projects and programs such as the County Executive’s initiatives for 1) Climate and Energy Action Plans for internal operations and community-wide, to include greenhouse gas emissions inventories, GHG mitigation plans, Climate Risk and Vulnerability Assessments, and Resilience Plans; 2) a Clean Fleet and Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program; 3) a Building Energy and Resiliency Program; and 4) a Clean Energy Procurement Program.

Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 am – 4:30 pm; full benefits; 2 vacancies available  

The professional position is responsible for facilitating, planning, and implementing key climate and energy programs for internal government operations and community-wide initiatives.  Key functions include program administration, project development, grants administration, community outreach, and internal and external stakeholder engagement. Supervision may be given to interns and volunteers; supervision is received from the Climate & Energy Manager.   

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees.  The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover 
• 11 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County HSA contribution (if enrolled in high-deductible plan)
• Comprehensive Dental and Vision Insurance Plan options 
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance benefit
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan

1. Vesting after 10 years of service
2. Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.

• Other employee paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Flexible Spending Accounts, etc.

• Manage project timelines and deliverables on projects such as the Comprehensive Energy Plan and Climate and Energy Action Plans 
• Conduct research and analysis and develop white papers, reports, memoranda, and other documents on climate and energy best practices as well as climate, environmental and/or energy policy, legislation, codes and grant opportunities
• Analyze and synthesize information and data on complex climate topics and present findings and recommendations
• Monitor, measure, track, and report on climate and energy program data, outcomes and successes in advancing county policies and priorities
• Provide technical support to departmental managers, as needed, for grant applications and programs such as developing climate resiliency and energy building standards
• Build and maintain a sustainable network of partners internally and across community sectors, including business sectors and low- and moderate-income communities
• Improve equity and inclusion in program planning and implementation
• Organize and present sustainability topics to County residents, professional organizations, advisory boards and commissions, County employees, and the media; assist with event coordination and staffing with OSER team, including the Green Homes Challenge Recognition event held each year, various tabling events, outdoor festivals, etc. 
• Drive county vehicle to program sites and meetings as needed

Essential functions for Climate and Energy Programs - Government Operations Position:

• Assist with community-wide climate and energy action planning process and support other community engagement efforts to include educating the community and developing partnerships with other community organizations
• Use EPA Portfolio Manager and other energy data management programs to report on energy usage by County Divisions
• Update goals for the Maryland Smart Energy Communities program, administer Maryland Smart Energy Communities grants for internal government projects related to energy efficiency, fuel reduction, and renewable energy; coordinate with Divisions implementing projects; and submit regular grant reports on progress
• Facilitate updates to the internal government operation elements of the Comprehensive Energy Plan
• Perform other related duties as required

Essential functions for Climate and Energy Programs - Community-Wide Position:

• Administer $200K business incentive program for commercial retrofits and other community initiatives
• Assist with community-wide Climate and Energy Action Plan process, to include greenhouse gas Mitigation Strategy and Resiliency Plan. 
• Administer Maryland Energy Administration Low- to Moderate-Income grant and programs for Power Saver Retrofits (PSR) program; market program and process customer applications, track implementation of home energy retrofits and manage contractor(s); prepare and submit monthly report, documentation, reports and invoices to funder. Develop community outreach to vulnerable populations for recruitment of applicants to PSR and other programs
• Act as staff liaison to the Frederick County Sustainability Commission
• Perform other related duties as required

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed below, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical demands or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy/Management, Environmental Science, Architecture, Environmental Planning, Business Administration, Nonprofit Administration or a related field
• Minimum 4 years of related program management work experience
• Intermediate skills in the use of MS Office Suite
• Possession of a valid automobile operator's license 
• NOTE:  Additional years of  program management work experience may reduce the education requirement to an Associate's degree

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain County Authorized Driver privileges
• Knowledge of building retro commissioning for energy efficiency, building management, building operations, and/or maintenance for commercial and/or residential buildings
• Proficiency with computerized equipment, software, and information technology, in particular, proficiency with spreadsheets and database management systems, such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Access
• Ability to manage and prioritize complex projects independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to resolve problems and to work under pressure in a fast paced team environment
• Ability to communicate, interact, and problem-solve effectively with diverse customers of all ages and backgrounds 
• Strong analytical skills including the ability to accurately compile and analyze data and evaluate detailed information
• Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including public speaking skills to provide effective outreach efforts
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, Division directors, government agency personnel and the general public

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR:

• Work experience with green building standards, electric vehicles, renewable energy
• Energy efficiency and conservation work experience
• Work experience with innovative public participation and/or citizen engagement methods

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS: 

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit and walk; occasionally drive; and rarely climb and stoop
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors, frequently work outdoors, occasionally walk on uneven ground and is required to wear protective equipment; and rarely work in hot temperatures and cold temperatures, and work in dirty/dusty environments

• Ability to provide own transportation and to drive a county vehicle as needed for meetings and other commitment
• Ability and willingness to successfully complete related trainings as required
• Available for varied working hours as needed to accommodate meetings and other commitments
• Work on occasional evening and weekend days for outreach events and meetings.

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience.
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment physical examination and drug test

This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.