Director Building Decarbonization Jobs in Massachusetts

Overview

The Deputy Director of Operations leads a team to implement and enforce the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). The Deputy Director will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of BERDO, including annual reporting, data management, enforcement, the BERDO help desk, managing contracts, and communicating regularly with building owners and service providers engaging with BERDO. The Deputy Director of Operations will be expected to develop and maintain strong relationships with building owners, organizations representing building owners and tenants, consultants who support building owners with BERDO reporting, third-party verification, and BERDO emissions compliance. The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented and be able to turn ambitious policy goals and detailed regulations into implementable processes. This person will be responsible for managing several complex processes in parallel and maintaining data and communication integrity necessary to ensure the enforceability of the ordinance. The Deputy Director of Operations will collaborate closely with the Deputy Director of Policy and Program and the Director of Carbon Neutrality to ensure that BERDO policies and programs are informed by compliance and that buildings subject to BERDO are able to access flexibility, technical, and financial decarbonization guidance and support. The Deputy Director of Operations will report to the Director of Carbon Neutrality and will directly supervise a team of at least four, who will be responsible for staffing the help desk, conducting data analysis and management, and managing the reporting and compliance processes. This person will also help inform broader building decarbonization and emissions reduction priorities of the Department beyond BERDO.

Background:

The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO) is a groundbreaking climate law that sets carbon targets for medium- and large-sized buildings across Boston to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 for Boston’s largest source of emissions. BERDO applies to nearly 6,000 buildings in Boston and requires buildings greater than 20,000 square feet or 15 units to report their annual energy usage to the City and to meet declining emissions standards. The City makes the resulting metrics on energy and greenhouse emissions publicly available. The BERDO team works to implement this innovative ordinance and to support owners in reducing emissions in their buildings.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of annual reporting and compliance for BERDO, including outreach and notification, reporting support for building owners, data collection and management, and enforcement.
• Direct data management software consultant. Identify and direct improvements for implementation.
• Supervise and manage the BERDO help desk, organize processes and assign staff responsibilities, develop tracking systems, respond to help desk emails and phone calls, and meet with constituents as needed to resolve issues.
• Supervise staff responsible for the day-to-day implementation of BERDO, including the help desk, reporting and data management, disclosure, compliance, and enforcement.
• Coordinate internal and external activities and programs related to BERDO implementation and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other municipal departments and agencies.
• Maintain and update the BERDO website and public-facing materials. Develop educational materials to support the successful implementation of BERDO.
• Identify obstacles to BERDO implementation and problem-solve solutions.
• Manage procurement processes to secure goods and services and manage contracts with consultants and service providers.
• Work to ensure the long‑term sustainability and success of BERDO by identifying additional funding, staffing, and technical assistance needs. Apply for and manage grants, including federal grants.
• Apply for and manage grants, including federal grants.
• Engage with peer cities to bring best practices on building decarbonization to Boston.
• Develop relationships with local and national organizations that provide technical assistance and funding to building owners.
• Represent the City of Boston in local, national, and global forums around strategies, programs, and initiatives related to carbon neutrality.
• Build strong, collaborative partnerships with businesses, institutions, non‑profits, neighborhood groups, and resident associations.
• Stay current on building performance standards, energy benchmarking, and building decarbonization.
• Perform related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications

• Five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part‑time experience in climate, urban planning, law, real estate, engineering, or a related field, and at least one (1) year of management experience. Additional experience preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is required. A master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. A Doctor of Philosophy in climate policy or a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required experience.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite with a strong emphasis on data management skills, including experience with Excel, Google Sheets, GIS, and other data management tools.
• Experience with Energy Star Portfolio Manager and energy benchmarking.
• Ability to creatively envision, design, execute, and implement projects that advance a broader goal.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and a passion for accuracy.
• Ability to develop, document, and follow complex processes that adhere to existing laws, regulations, and policies.
• Demonstrated knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions accounting and building energy efficiency is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) with the ability to write about and present complex policies, research, and ideas clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated experience tackling complex problems with creative, effective solutions in a fast‑paced work environment.
• Willingness to practice accessible, responsive, community‑engaged leadership for residents of the City of Boston.
• Highly organized, with the ability to simultaneously handle many tasks, organize complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse interests and backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Commitment to advancing social justice and equity in the City of Boston to improve the lives of all residents. Knowledge of climate change, with a particular understanding of its connection to racial equity, climate justice, and the resident and community health implications, preferred.
• Experience working with municipalities is preferred.

BOSTON RESIDENCY REQUIREDTerms

Union/Salary Plan/Grade: Non‑Union/MM2‑10

Hours per week: 35