Energy Conservation Engineer

Job Title

Energy Conservation Engineer

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Facilities Management, Level F

Job Family Group

Staff - Non Union

Department

Energy Conservation Specialists | Energy Conservation and Innovation | Energy & Water Services | Facilities

Compensation Range

$9,599.75 - $14,385.50 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Job End Date

Ongoing

Posting End Date

November 24, 2026

Note:Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career. 

Job Description Summary

UBC Energy and Water Services oversees the management of energy and water at the UBC Vancouver Campus, working within a mandate of fiscal efficiency, operational excellence, environmental sustainability, and innovative demonstrations.

The role of the Energy Conservation Engineer is to create energy conservation measures for a profound reduction in energy consumption and equivalent greenhouse gas emissions from the UBC Vancouver campus. The Engineer is an active participant and develops projects that contribute to UBC being a leading research institution in sustainability.

- Designing, developing, implementing, monitoring, verifying, and reporting on Demand Side Management projects;

- Reading and writing sequences of operation and BMS code to troubleshoot and optimize building systems.

- Conducting peer reviews of energy system design, engineering drawings, specifications and other technical work completed by external contractors;

- Monitoring and evaluating leading-edge sustainable energy technologies;

- Preparing and updating sustainable energy management plans and long-range energy infrastructure plans

- Data collection, analysis, modelling and reporting related to building energy and GHG performance,

- Researching best practices and developing policies, standards and procedures for sustainable energy system design, maintenance and operation;

- Providing sustainable energy expertise into major project design/development process, climate plans, green building plans, sustainability reporting and behavior change programs;

This role will have periodic exposure to conditions in mechanical/boiler rooms, ceilings, roofs, and under-floor areas. May be required to work non-standard hours.

Organizational Status

Reports to the Energy Conservation Manager in Energy and Water Services' Energy Conservation and Innovation Unit; has direct contact with Building Operations staff, the UBC Sustainability & Engineering, and consults with Campus and Community Planning staff, members of the academy, students, residents, and commercial tenants of UBC. Also has direct contact with consultants, Federal and Provincial Governments, and regulatory authorities.

Work Performed

- Identifies, designs, develops, and implements new energy and water conservation projects, GHG reduction projects, and retrofit solutions across campus, including controls optimization, mechanical and electrical retrofits, and sustainable capital projects.

- Complete feasibility analysis and business case for proposed projects, energy calculations, payback, and NPV calculations. Prioritize and manage the implementation of these projects as required.

- Monitors, verifies, and reconciles energy savings from academic buildings undergoing energy retrofits or controls optimisation as part of in-house energy optimisation.

- Reads and writing sequences of operation, controls programming language for BMS systems on campus, writing changes to code to improve and commission existing systems operation.

- Works closely with the Building Management System group to optimize building automation systems effectively, drafting changes to controls programs and writing sequences of operation.

- Works closely with building operations staff and stakeholders to communicate and engage systems owners on new energy conservation projects, as well as collaborate to find new conservation initiatives.

- Provide Technical expertise for UBC Green Buildings; review drawings for new construction projects for energy efficiency and operational feasibility.

- Provide technical expertise to Building Operations and Project Services in evaluating HVAC and mechanical equipment to ensure energy-efficient and pragmatic approaches are adopted for existing buildings and new construction projects.

- Provide technical engineering guidance and advice to various climate and energy projects across UBC during both development and implementation phases.

- Conduct data analysis, modelling, and reporting related to UBC climate and energy performance.

- Monitor and evaluate new leading-edge technologies for UBC.

- Conduct technical reviews of engineering drawings and specifications completed by external consultants.

- Research and develop policies, standards, and procedures for the engineering and technical work; provide updates to UBC technical guidelines.

- Write RFPs for energy projects (Analysis, Design, and Implementation). Manages external consultants. Works with in-house trades to complete projects.

- Uses Skyspark data analytics to identify problems, verify current building operation, and verify project performance.

- Provides Measurement and Verification analysis on in-house energy projects to ensure projects are saving energy and working as intended.

- Conducts building audits of mechanical and electrical equipment.

- Develops funding proposals to seek and secure financing for projects through government grants and Utility provider partnerships (e.g., BC Hydro and FortisBC).

- Liaise, engage, and provide technical advice and guidance across UBC departments (Campus and Community Planning, Building Operations, Infrastructure Development, Student Housing and Hospitality Services, Athletics, UBC Properties Trust, Treasury and UBC Okanagan) to implement and coordinate energy conservation opportunities

- Research and develop policies and procedures for energy conservation.

- Monitor and evaluate new leading-edge technologies for Lighting, Green Labs, and Green Information Technology.

- Perform other related duties or projects as may be required by the Energy Conservation Manager or the Director, Energy Planning and Innovation.

- Manage projects related to achieving climate and sustainability goals.

- Explore and develop business cases around electricity and natural gas energy conservation projects.

- Plan and periodically update climate and energy management plans in collaboration with allied UBC units (Campus and Community Planning, Building Operations, Infrastructure Development, Student Housing and Hospitality Services, Athletics, UBC Properties Trust, Treasury and UBC Okanagan).

- Conduct research, planning, writing, and analysis related to climate and energy initiatives/programs and policy, as required.

- Advise on issues related to UBC compliance with legislation.

Consequence of Error

The Energy Conservation Engineer designs and develops complex energy conservation and GHG reduction projects with the intent to meet UBC’s public commitment to being a leader in Sustainability and achieving its aggressive GHG reduction targets. Given the high-profile nature of climate change and global sustainability, the consequences of poor decisions or errors will negatively affect the prestige of the university as it aspires to be a global leader. Decisions made in error can result in significant financial liability to the university. Decisions can affect the environmental conditions in any building on campus, and wrong decisions could result in disruption of class schedules or normal working conditions. These decisions will also affect the cost of purchased utilities. Decisions can impact building operations, equipment performance and efficiency, user comfort, and institutional and departmental image.

Supervision Received

Works independently under the strategic direction of the Manager, Energy Conservation.

Supervision Given

May supervise several resource people and coordinate several issues at any one time. Will manage the work of consultants. Will undertake field inspections and provide oral and written advice and recommendations. Will also coordinate efforts of department staff as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Highly motivated, demonstrated self-starter. Demonstrated project management skills. Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Eligibility for membership in a professional Institute or Association. Minimum of seven years of related experience. Experience or aptitude for programming.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering preferred. Professional Engineer (APEGBC) preferred or EIT with required experience. Master of Engineering, MEL, or MSc is an asset. CEM and/or CMVP certification is an asset. Nine years of related experience preferred, including experience related to energy management, BMS, automation, electrical or mechanical building design and operation, maintenance, or closely related field. Project management business case development experience preferred. Commercial or academic building operation (or design) experience. Experience writing or modifying building controls programs or sequences of operation is an asset. Knowledge of and interest in climate and energy management program development and implementation.

- Knowledge and understanding of building science, HVAC, lighting, and district energy systems.
- Ability to effectively manage project budgets, tasks, and personnel.
- A motivated self-starter is essential for success in this position.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
- Ability and interest in engaging with academics to leverage the intellectual capital of the university.
- Excellent modeling skills (Microsoft Excel).
- Strong writing skills and communication skills.
- Professional, ethical, and responsible behaviour.

- Expectation to achieve registered professional status in an applicable institute or association (e.g., EGBC if engineer or other) prior to midpoint salary progression.

- Knowledge, interest in, and understanding of current energy and climate policy.