Energy Code Implementation Fellow Subcontractor Opportunity National Energy Codes Collaborative: New Jersey

Closing Date: October 31, 2024

Background 

The National Energy Codes Collaborative is a nationwide network led by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) that will empower states and jurisdictions to effectively and sustainably implement updated building energy codes. The Codes Collaborative will drive innovation and generate cross-functional resources through three core activities: 1) collaboration, 2) technical advisory and assistance, and 3) capacity building. By forging new connections and engaging stakeholders from the local to the national level, the state and jurisdictions who are members of the Codes Collaborative will be supported along their own paths to advance their building codes, reduce environmental impacts, promote equity and ensure high quality careers. Funding is provided by a U.S. Department of Energy Resilient and Efficient Codes Implementation grant.  

Subcontractor Opportunity Summary 

The Codes Collaborative seeks a collaborative individual or organization to assist The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) in collaboration with ACEEE and Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP). The applicant must have a keen interest in energy efficiency in buildings and understand the importance of strong building efficiency policies. The Energy Code Implementation (ECI) Fellow will work half-time for two years as a subcontractor to ACEEE and with support from NEEP to advance energy code issues across New Jersey.  During the two-year Fellowships, Fellows will be encouraged to maintain their existing positions and/or professional practices to ensure a strong connection between their roles and networks. To enable this, these two-year fellowships are anticipated to be at approximately 40-50% time with flexibility for work hours. The Fellow will receive complementary Urban Sustainability Directors Network (USDN) membership and participation in USDN’s annual meetings and trainings. 

Applications will be accepted from either individuals or organizations. An organization must propose that one individual will be the named ECI Fellow and point of contact for the NJ BPU even if drawing on resources of the organization to accomplish tasks. The duties and qualifications of the position include: 

Duties of the ECI Fellow 

1. The Fellow shall be based at the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU). Possibility for hybrid, in-person, or fully remote position. 
2. Collaborate with BPU/Rutgers Center for Policy Research, Built Environment and Green Building Group/Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP); NEEP will provide technical assistance to the ECI Fellow 
3. Develop an “Energy Code Implementation Checklist” based on a Gap Analysis conducted by BPU/Rutgers/NEEP and which will be shared with applicants.   
4. Implement the “Energy Code Implementation Checklist” in coordination with BPU/Rutgers/NEEP. This is expected to include analysis of existing legislation governing building codes in NJ and its affordances and constraints and development of strategies for new policy pathways if required to implement items on the checklist. 
5. Convene and conduct meetings with internal and external stakeholders, provide briefings to BPU staff and BPU leadership. 
6. Participate in National Energy Codes Collaborative and NJ Energy Code Collaborative meetings as a representative of the NJ BPU. 
7. Serve as a liaison to other NJ departments, especially the NJ Department of Community Affairs, Division of Codes and Standards and the Office of Climate Action and the Green Economy. 
8. Participate in National Energy Codes Collaborative and USDN annual meetings, as well as other relevant events to share lessons learned and best practices with the broader codes community. 

Qualifications of the ECI Fellow  

9. Familiarity with both model codes required and with NJ’s Rehabilitation Subcode strongly preferred. Potential background of the ECI Fellow: legal expertise in application to energy codes, building benchmarking, building energy performance standards, strategy development in relation to energy codes, building benchmarking and building energy performance standards.   
10. Minimum educational attainment: architecture, engineering, legal, planning, public policy, sustainability, environmental science/policy or other relevant degree with demonstrated knowledge of energy codes. 
11. Minimum work experience in a collaborative setting: 3-5 years. 

To Apply 

Organizations and individuals are encouraged to submit a resume and a letter of interest outlining qualifications, capabilities, and relevant experience. 

An approximate budget of $160,000 over two years has been allocated for this subcontractor opportunity. This budget is inclusive of up to $10,000 in travel expenses for participation in annual in-person Codes Collaborative and USDN annual meetings. 

Submissions should be emailed to ecifellow@neep.org with Subject: “NECC NJ Energy Code Implementation Fellow”. Organizations and individuals considered for interviews will be asked to provide references. No phone calls please. Applications are due no later than October 31, 2024. 

ACEEE welcomes applications from individuals and organizations representing diverse backgrounds.