Job Details
O Brien360 s residential team focuses on supporting project teams in their progress towards sustainable market rate and affordable multifamily residential buildings. Our clients are experienced affordable and market-rate housing developers, both for-profit and non-profit; and small, first-time property developers who have never built a building before. Our projects are mostly in the Puget Sound region, but we also currently have residential projects in Alaska, California, Eastern Washington, Colorado, and Oregon. As Seattle s primary LEED for Homes Provider, we do A LOT of LEED work, but our goal is to always recommend the best tool for our clients particular needs. Therefore, we are engaged in the whole rainbow of other rating systems from Phius and the Living Building Challenge, to Built Green, NGBS, ESDS, and ENERGY STAR. Our staff hold Accredited Professional, Rater and Verifier credentials for all these programs.
We are looking for someone who brings a background of skills and knowledge to build on and enthusiasm for working in the field, handling equipment, and working with contractors and trades people while training to become a RESNET Rating Field Inspector (RFI). In this role, you would be on site at construction projects verifying compliance with requirements and coaching project teams several days a week. We also need a good organizer and strong communicator to coordinate field work, prepare materials, maintain, and prep equipment, record data, and prepare field reports.
A successful Field Tech will develop a good understanding of building science principles, be able to apply those principles to real-world conditions in the field, and progress to become an RESNET RFI qualified to perform QA and QC inspections independently. They could grow in this position to become a HERS energy rater or Building Energy Assessment Professional Certified Energy Auditor and support our work on building performance standard compliance. This position builds a foundation for a career in the fields of construction, commissioning, and performance verification.
If you have some knowledge or experience in construction or building science; like working on-site and with people; and are organized with good communication skills, attention to detail, can keep track of multiple projects simultaneously, and know how to translate written information into practical application but don t have direct experience with residential green building rating systems this is your opportunity. It s a bonus if you have project coordination and site work experience; worked in building operations and property management and are excited by the green building world; or other related technical skills that may apply.
For more information about O Brien360 and our green building consulting work, please visit www.obrien360.com.
Job Responsibilities
Initial Training
For the first six-month training period, the person in this position will:
- Train with Green/Energy Rater on intermediate site walks to verify construction compliance with Thermal Enclosure Checklist/Quality Insulation Installation and compartmentalization quality standards for LEED, ENERGY STAR, Zero Energy Ready Home, PHIUS and others.
- Train with Green/Energy Rater on final site visits - including reviewing/prepping sampling plans and field data worksheets for Rater to finalize; loading and transporting equipment to site; transporting and setting up equipment on-site, preparing units for testing, assisting Rater with testing, recording test data, photo-documentation. Transferring/filing results and photos, producing draft reports for Rater to finalize.
- Train with Commissioning staff to provide similar support to the above for energy code commissioning of central HVAC and DHW systems, and in-unit HVAC systems.
- Learn to support construction site QC, verification, and QA site visits by coordinating scheduling and follow-up.
Regular Responsibilities
As the person in this position learns the quality control and verification work above, they will:
- Regularly support the QC responsibilities above, independently verifying elements in the field as appropriate.
- Train to support Green/Energy Rater on intermediate construction site walks to assess framing and air sealing details, and HVAC rough installation for compliance with best practices, and certification requirements. Take notes and photos during walks, file and organize them, and produce draft reports for the Rater to finalize.
- Train to support Green/Energy Rater on preliminary/diagnostic performance testing visits, including loading and transporting equipment to site, transporting and setting up equipment on-site, preparing units for testing, assisting Rater with testing, recording test data, photo-documentation. Transferring/filing results and photos, producing draft reports for Rater to finalize.
- Build experience and qualifications to earn the RESNET Rating Field Inspector designation.
Additional Potential Responsibilities
The person in this position may also learn and take on the following responsibilities:
Existing Multifamily Building Assessments
- Support qualified staff to complete energy performance and conditions assessments of existing multifamily buildings building envelope, HVAC, hot water, lighting and other systems; prepare field reporting worksheets and tools; prepare and transport equipment to the site; attending meetings with facilities managers to take notes of equipment setpoints, schedules, and maintenance issues; take notes and photo-document audit observations; record test results; transfer and file results, notes and photos; prepare template-based draft reports for finalization by primary auditor;
Tool and Equipment Management
- Maintaining tool inventory, organizing storage, and tracking and coordinating tool calibration.
Data Management and Analysis
- Quality control of existing building benchmarking data; locating and identifying utility meters and confirming account ownership.
- Record and present data in worksheets and perform spreadsheet calculations.
- Unit-scale energy modeling (e.g. Ekotrope).
Requirements/Qualifications
- Be able to conduct site inspections and fieldwork, including the ability to carry up to 50 lbs., use and carry equipment up/downstairs, climb ladders, walk on roofs, and maneuver through construction job sites safely.
- Familiarity with construction and building science and/or residential sustainable rating systems such as LEED or Built Green.
- Associate degree or two years equivalent experience in construction, design, engineering, environmental science or building science technology.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills, especially in clearly communicating technical information.
- Ability to interact on a professional level with design and construction professionals, trades people, and field workers.
- A strong work ethic and efficient work style, including the ability to work well both independently and collaboratively.
- Computer skills: Microsoft Office, including skills with Excel, Word, and PDF editing, such as in Bluebeam; fluency using file sharing and project management cloud-based programs like Smartsheet; and the ability to work efficiently and effectively with computer programs to compile well organized documents.
Experience and credentials that are also valuable:
- Working knowledge and experience in residential sustainable rating systems, such as LEED, Built Green, ENERGY STAR.
- Working knowledge and experience in construction and building science.
- Bachelor s degree in construction, design, engineering, environmental science or building science technology.
- Experience with design specifications and/or construction submittal process.
- Experience with energy auditing, commissioning, or facilities management in existing residential and commercial buildings.
- Sustainable building credentials such as RFI, LEED for Homes AP, LEED Green Rater, HERS Rater, ASHRAE or BPI Building Analyst, Built Green Verifier, Green Advantage Associate, Certified Passive House Consultant, or Phius Verifier.
- Existing building auditing or operations credentials like Building Energy Assessment Professional, Certified Energy Auditor, Building Operator Certification, Certified Energy Manager, Energy Management Professional.
- Broad experience in sustainability from policy and planning through to operations and maintenance of the built environment.
Hybrid Work Environment:
We offer a hybrid work model of in office and remote work. This position is roughly 70% onsite at construction sites and 30% office work. The following skills are important for success in this hybrid environment:
- Be able to engage effectively with clients and other staff through online tools, including chat, email, telephone, and video conferencing.
- Be conscientious of your screen presence when on video conferencing, maintaining a professional appearance and background.
- Be able to work independently and be accountable.
- Be comfortable with setting up your computer and home workstation, and troubleshooting computer issues, with the assistance of our remote IT personnel.
- Be transparent and proactive with your team or supervisor about issues with your home work environment so that they can be quickly addressed.
Compensation:
- Salary range - $58,000 - $75,000, annually. Higher for an experienced RFI, HERS Energy Rater, BEAP, or CEA.
- Full-time
- The workweek schedule is flexible but requires 4 days in the office/remote or in the field.
- The workday is flexible but 9-5 availability is expected, other than fieldwork scheduling.
- Company-paid health and dental insurance.
- Paid time off starting at 3 weeks, 11 paid holidays, plus 8 hours of paid volunteer time per year.
- Company paid ORCA pass, plus Zipcar account for company travel.
- Generous contributions to 401K after 1 year.
- $500 per year for professional development.
- $250 per year for matching donations.