Energy Manager

Job Description:

Energy Manager

Description

Description

THE AGENCY
The General Services Agency (GSA) is made up of Fleet Services, Facilities, Procurement, Special Services, Security and Business Support, and the Parks Department and is responsible for a broad spectrum of services to all the County departments and agencies. It requires a very diverse workforce to accomplish the GSA mission of contributing to the quality of life in Ventura County by partnering with their customers to provide expertise and cost-effective service delivery and foster the preservation of natural resources.

THE POSITION
The County is seeking a forward-thinking leader who can modernize energy management practices through technology, analytics, and innovative program development. Under direction of the Chief Deputy Director of Facilities & Materials, this position manages enterprise-wide energy and utilities strategy for approximately 5 million square feet across 140 County-owned facilities. Managed utilities include but are not limited to electricity, natural gas, water, and wastewater.

The position also oversees distributed energy resources including photovoltaic (PV) solar power generation, battery energy storage systems (BESS), electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, thermal energy storage systems (TES), and emerging resilience technologies. The position manages energy efficiency and conservation programs through ASHRAE energy audits, retro-commissioning, advanced metering, and data analytics, and provides programmatic oversight of projects designed to reduce energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and operational costs. Additionally, the position performs long-range strategic energy planning and supports implementation of the County Climate Action Plan and decarbonization initiatives.

The Energy Manager serves as the County’s technical subject matter expert on energy management and advises leadership on energy risks, regulatory changes, sustainability strategy, cost trends, and opportunities to improve operational resilience.

The ideal candidate will have comprehensive knowledge of the principles of energy management in large and complex building portfolios, climate strategy, sustainability practices, and regulatory compliance. The candidate will demonstrate proven experience identifying and implementing opportunities to reduce energy use intensity (EUI) through capital improvements, operational optimization, data analytics, and behavioral programs.

Experience should include:

• Managing a multi-million-dollar utilities budget and developing internal cost recovery methodologies;
• Performing ASHRAE energy audits, retro-commissioning, interval data analysis, and use of sub-metering systems;
• Utilizing Energy Management Information Systems (EMIS), Building Automation Systems (BAS), and utility data platforms to identify trends and optimization opportunities;
• Working with ENERGY STAR benchmarking and performance tracking programs;
• Identifying water conservation and drought resilience measures;
• Identifying opportunities for distributed energy resources including renewable generation, battery storage, demand response, and microgrid opportunities;
• Working with consultants, utilities, Community Choice Aggregators, and regulatory agencies to understand rate structures, incentives, and procurement strategies;
• Identifying and securing utility incentives, grants, and external funding sources to support energy projects;
• Developing financial business cases including lifecycle cost analysis, return on investment, and total cost of ownership modeling;
• Supporting building electrification, decarbonization, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies;
• Leading cross-functional committees and making technical information understandable to non-technical stakeholders;
• Making presentations to leadership and facilitating discussions regarding energy risks, goals, and performance metrics.

The ideal candidate would have a bachelor's degree in engineering, energy management, environmental science, sustainability, or a related technical field (preferably electrical or mechanical engineering) and be a Certified Energy Manager (CEM) through the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and have seven or more years of related experience. Relevant advanced certifications in energy performance, measurement and verification, or energy analytics are desirable.

EDUCATION INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive. This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required for the classification.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: General Services Agency - Facilities and Materials Department

Energy Manager is a Management/Confidential/Exempt position and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this classification are eligible for benefits at the MB4 level.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the County of Ventura, General Services Agency, Facilities & Materials Department. There is currently one (1) Regular vacancy.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE: April 13, 2026
CLOSING DATE: Continuous

This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs. Please note that applications will be reviewed and processed frequently due to the immediate need to fill the vacancy.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Develops and manages a multi-million-dollar utility budget; works with utility companies to resolve billing issues, optimize rate structures, and ensure participation in incentive and demand response programs;
• Develops, implements, and monitors Countywide energy management, sustainability, and decarbonization programs;
• Conducts or oversees energy audits, retro-commissioning, performance analytics, sub-metering programs, and continuous commissioning activities;
• Reviews and manages consultant work; coordinates permitting, plan review, and regulatory compliance;
• May supervise staff engaged in utility analysis, energy programs, or sustainability initiatives;
• Supports development and implementation of renewable energy projects including solar PV, battery storage, and potential microgrid opportunities;
• Analyzes energy markets and regulatory developments; identifies opportunities for procurement optimization, distributed energy resources, and cost savings;
• Promotes behavioral and operational changes to reduce energy waste through engagement programs;
• Develops dashboards, reports, and presentations to communicate energy performance and opportunities;
• Develops key performance indicators (KPIs) including energy use intensity, cost avoidance, renewable generation performance, and greenhouse gas reduction metrics;
• Prepares complex engineering studies, technical reports, business cases, and policy recommendations;
• Leads the County’s water conservation and drought response programs;
• Supports energy resilience planning including backup power strategies, battery storage integration, and continuity of operations considerations;
• Represents the County at meetings, hearings, and conferences with regional agencies, utilities, regulatory bodies, and professional organizations;
• Identifies and pursues grants, rebates, and external funding opportunities for energy projects;
• Leads efforts related to water conservation, waste diversion, recycling, composting, and stormwater cost reduction programs;
• Other related duties as required.

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the exam process and assure neither continuance in the process or placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE

Five (5) or more years of progressively responsible experience in the areas of energy management, engineering, sustainability, or utilities program management.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Maintain and possess a valid California Driver License.
• Five (5) years of experience working with large commercial, institutional, industrial, or government facility building systems.
• Demonstrated understanding of building electrical systems, HVAC systems, building controls, demand management strategies, and Title 24 energy requirements.
• Experience working with utility rate structures, procurement strategies, and regulatory frameworks.

DESIRED

A Certified Energy Manager (CEM) certification and a Bachelor's degree in a related field; experience managing multi-million-dollar utility budgets; experience with energy data analytics platforms; experience securing grants or incentives; and seven (7) or more years of related experience are highly desirable.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Thorough knowledge of:

• The principles of energy efficiency and utilities management in complex portfolios including offices, detention facilities, healthcare environments, parks, and specialized facilities;
• Building codes as they apply to energy efficiency enhancements and the regulatory environment in which utilities operate;
• California energy regulations, benchmarking requirements, and the regulatory environment in which utilities operate;
• Principles of decarbonization, electrification, and greenhouse gas reduction strategies;
• Engineering principles behind efficient lighting, HVAC, electrification, and environmental control systems;
• Principles and practices of public-sector budgeting and capital project planning;
• Energy data analytics tools, energy management software, building automation systems, and utility tracking platforms;
• Financial evaluation methods including lifecycle cost analysis and return on investment calculations.

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including translating technical data into executive-level recommendations;
• Perform complex technical analysis and identify energy efficiency and sustainability opportunities and develop implementation strategies;
• Develop, monitor, forecast, and optimize utility budgets;
• Manage the work of contractors, consultants, and technical service providers;
• Supervise employees and provide technical leadership;
• Establish and maintain cooperative relations with representatives of other departments, regulatory agencies, utilities, and external partners;
• Understand utility rate structures, procurement strategies, and regulatory frameworks;
• Operate energy modeling, utility management, and data visualization software;
• Develop strategic plans and implement programs that improve energy performance and organizational resilience.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. Your application must be received by the County of Ventura, Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later the 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.venturacounty.gov/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, Location #1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Note to Applicants: It is essential that you complete all sections of your application and supplemental questionnaire thoroughly and accurately to demonstrate your qualifications. A resume and/or other related documents may be attached to supplement the information in your application and supplemental questionnaire; however, it/they may not be substituted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this exam AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the exam process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

ORAL EXAM - 100%: A job-related oral exam will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating applicants' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Applicants must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

NOTE: If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral exam will not be conducted. Instead, a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to quality for placement on the eligible list.

Applicants successfully completing the exam process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: Applicants may be subjected to a thorough background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information and driving record. For those classifications that are subject to Department of Transportation drug and alcohol testing regulations, incumbents will be tested prior to driving a commercial vehicle and may be randomly tested thereafter.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Chinna Nahabedian by email to [email protected] or phone (805) 654-2458.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE

MANAGEMENT

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

Salary:

$112,618.24 - $157,681.00 Annually