Conservation Planning Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

Reporting to the Associate Director of Energy Management, the Energy Conservation Program Manager (ECPM) is a sustainability minded, detail-oriented, self-motivated team member who leverages data to advance campus energy efficiency and promote conservation of energy & utilities. The ECPM is an Office of Energy Management (OEM) team member within the Virginia Tech Facilities Division. OEM supports the ECPM efforts to design, build and manage an Energy & Utilities (E&U) conservation outreach and engagement program across the main campus community. The ECPM analyzes E&U consumption and cost database platforms to identify abnormal building usage trends, and to report energy conservation & efficiency project performance results. Using advanced communication skills, tools, and methods, the ECPM develops & coordinates a variety of efficient and effective programs & initiatives in partnership with relevant stakeholders to reach determinations with regards to E&U usage, related issues, solution development and ultimately, improved outcomes. They engage offices, departments and divisions to build and promote an understanding of the important impacts of efficient E&U operations, practices and behaviors which are key to creating a culture of resource stewardship. Develops strategies to reduce overall E&U consumption across campus, and communicates these strategies effectively across the Blacksburg, VA campus.
The ECPM works with the Office of Sustainability team on various initiatives as directed. The ECPM supports academics, gives presentations and guest lectures, and trains key community stakeholders on energy-specific risks/opportunities.
Working closely with the energy metering program manager, the ECPM is also responsible for the management of energy use/cost and project data while ensuring the data is accurately and effectively tracked, utilized, and reported. The ECPM assists in the development of key process tools to regularly track, report, and benchmark energy performance effectively. They work closely with subject matter experts to gather, organize, and report on qualitative and quantitative performance results through effective database management techniques. Makes strategic recommendations to improve project & program implementation processes. They also support the university's energy savings performance contracting development and implementation. Assists departmental staff in other program areas as directed. The ECPM will lead the following tasks:
Communications to various departments and constituents by developing timely, complete and accurate E&U performance reports for OEM, various rating systems requests/programs and for the development of greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory/third-party environmental metrics verification.
Support and/or lead development of analysis, metrics and information necessary to report on E&U performance.
Co-leads the annual GHG inventorying process and the annual report development.
Co-leads the climate action, sustainability & energy (CASE) subcommittee on GHG & carbon offset planning.
Directly responsible for teaching, training, and supervision of OEM student energy analysts.
Seek, build, and maintain cooperative/new relationships with key community stakeholders and support partnership opportunities for benchmarking, outreach, and engagement on business issues, and best practices.
Engage with community members on related E&U issues and provide data as requested by leadership or other internal customer relationship managers.
The ECPM completes all routine work assignments and performs all additional duties as assigned. Consistently meets university needs in a timely and professional manner with increasingly improved skill. The ECPM will follow up on every project or task to ensure all items are completed to the supervisor's satisfaction. The ECPM will be responsible for a professional attendance record, including punctuality and consistently meeting deadlines. They will be expected to build and maintain internal and external customer satisfaction with the services offered by the organization as it may relate to this role; while additionally seeking feedback and being responsive to stakeholders and taking appropriate action for the situation. Additional tasks and expectations include:
Performs work in a manner that supports and facilitates the work of others in Facilities Services and the university community.
Maintains a positive and cooperative working relationship with members of the facilities department and campus community by practicing individual dignity, using tact and diplomacy, and always being respectful and civil.
Utilizes respectful communication when dealing with people in all situations; demonstrating restraint, fairness and firmness.
Works effectively to understand by carefully listening and working to be understood.
Demonstrates restraint, fairness and firmness with all people in all situations.
Must be able to effectively communicate and successfully interact with a variety of individuals in a diverse environment at all levels of the organization.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and work appropriately within the department hierarchy.
Communicates effectively to resolve problems and proactively resolve conflicts or disagreements in the workplace, makes suggestions and ask pertinent questions to facilitate effective communication.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with environmental focus and/or policy focus, combined with more than one year of relevant work experience.
Strong Microsoft Office skills.
Proven experience developing, managing, evaluating and validating energy databases and reports using data to support efforts to achieve program deliverables.
Ability to identify anomalies in data received, to troubleshoot and determine source of error and initiate resolution.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively & efficiently using various communication skills and tools tailored to energy conservation & engagement programming.
Prior work experience with energy and sustainability programming.
Proven ability to take ownership and accountability.
Demonstrated passion for energy & sustainability, and the environment.
Experience and/or education in writing and interpreting energy & utilities policy.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree, preferably in public administration. Environmental or Sustainability related master's degrees also a plus.
Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly using excel.
Prior energy & sustainability programming experience within higher education.

Pay Band

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$70,000 - $80,000; commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40+

Review Date

July 30, 2026

Additional Information

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.