Project Advocate, Sustainability

Join the fight against climate change and take advantage of a unique opportunity on the cutting edge of climate policy at the New York City Department of Buildings.

DOB has an essential role in implementing and enforcing New York City's ground-breaking climate policies, including Local Law 97, which significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the city's largest buildings.

In a city where buildings contribute nearly three-quarters of our greenhouse gas emissions, a focus on efficiency, building energy usage, and decarbonization is critical.

DOB is committed to becoming the nation's premier municipal building organization, enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers, and making our city a safer and healthier place to live.

Become a member of DOB's Bureau of Sustainability team and make a real difference.

Under direction, the Sustainability Project Advocate will provide customer service for building owners, assist the public with understanding the processes for compliance with building sustainability laws, and seek to improve the efficiency of plan examination, inspections, and local law compliance.

The Sustainability Project Advocate acts as a single point of contact for the industry and building owners to provide required technical assistance and decision support at various stages of compliance processes within the Bureau of Sustainability management.

Their role is to engage the community in understanding requirements, facilitate progress, and assist in timely submissions.

Duties include but are not limited to :

• Engaging the community in their understanding of sustainability local laws and energy code, and the Department’s processes
• Serving as the customer service liaison for building owners, service providers, and other stakeholders in an effort to provide information and increase compliance with the energy code and sustainability local laws
• Liaising between the Department of Buildings, City agencies, community organizations, building owners, service providers, and other stakeholders with an interest in sustainable buildings
• Conducting regular meetings with individual building owners to discuss compliance status
• Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis to assess and make recommendations related to more efficient processes for plan examination, inspections, and compliance with sustainability local laws
• Preparing correspondence, memos, briefing materials, reports, budgets, and strategic plans for internal and external use
• Conducting research and assisting with the development of presentations, informational webinars, and in-person seminars for stakeholders, including members of the public, elected officials, industry professionals, and building owners
• Attending public forums and other meetings to provide information related to sustainability local laws and the energy code
• Assisting with the maintenance of web pages ensuring content is accurate, accessible, and up-to-date
• Working with the DOB Communications Team on social media, newsletters, and other informational content
• Coordinating event planning with support from relevant teams, ensuring all projects are consistent with the Agency’s brand
• Assisting with the design and production of advertising and public outreach campaigns
• Assisting with other tasks and special projects, as needed

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• 1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in architecture or architectural technology; biology;
• building science; chemistry; construction management; energy management; engineering, engineering technology; environmental science;

facilities management; physics; or a related field; or

2. Completion of an apprentice program, a minimum of two years in length, in a construction trade with an emphasis on energy efficiency for buildings and two years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy generation or conservation work such as planning, developing, implementing, inspecting, analyzing, testing, and verifying interventions to generate clean energy or reduce energy usage; or

3. Four years of satisfactory, full-time experience in energy generation or conservation work such as planning, developing, implementing, inspecting, analyzing, testing, and verifying interventions to generate clean energy or reduce energy usage; or

4. Education and / or experience equivalent to 1, 2, or 3 above. One year of acceptable experience will be credited for every 30 semester credits of undergraduate education in any of the fields described in 1 above.

One year of acceptable experience will be credited for a master’s degree in any of the fields described in 1 above.

Special Note

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level II, candidates other than Professional Engineers or Registered Architects must have either :

a) A Bachelor of Architecture degree that is the first professional degree in architecture from an accredited college; or

b) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a master’s degree in building science, energy management, or engineering from an accredited college or university; or

c) After meeting the minimum qualification requirements, a master’s degree in any of the fields described in 1 above; or

d) After meeting the minimum qualification requirements, one additional year of experience as described in 4 above.

To be eligible for placement in Assignment Level III, candidates other than Professional Engineers or Registered Architects must have, after meeting the requirements for Assignment Level II, one additional year of experience as described in 3 above.

Note : Candidates who are permanent in comparable civil service titles may be considered under that title or for title change under rule 6.

1.9 of the Personnel Rules and Regulations of the City of New York. If applicable, this will be reviewed with a selected candidate at time of conditional offer.

Preferred Skills

• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.- Strong technical skills using web-based video and meeting platforms : Webex, Microsoft Teams, Zoom.
• Proficiency with PC software such as : Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to think critically and analyze information, and to communicate complex and technical information in an accessible way to the public.
• Demonstrate initiative, resourcefulness, and ability to work independently and as part of a team on multiple assignments with minimal supervision to meet deadlines.
• Ability to rapidly understand strategic objectives and communicate creative idea solutions.- Professional and positive attitude and ability to take direction and incorporate feedback from various sources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with people of diverse personal, educational, and cultural backgrounds in a professional manner.
• Working knowledge of sustainability and climate issues.

55a Program

This position is also open to qualified persons with a disability who are eligible for the 55-a Program. Please indicate at the top of your resume and cover letter that you would like to be considered for the position through the 55-a Program.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

As a prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs.

For more information, please visit the U.S. Department of Education’s website at class "jobad-residencyRequirement">

Residency RequirementNew York City Residency is not required for this position