Energy Quality Specialist - PennTAP

PennTAP seeks an Energy Quality Specialist to provide technical leadership, quality assurance, and program consistency for industrial energy assessment services. This role reviews and standardizes assessment reports, calculations, recommendations, and deliverables prepared by technical advisors to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with PennTAP methodologies, client needs, and program standards.

Reporting to the Associate Director, the Energy Quality Specialist supports quality control, continuous improvement, staff development, and the delivery of credible, actionable energy assessment services for manufacturers and industrial clients across Pennsylvania.

This position may be filled at the Industrial Relations Coordinator - Advanced Professional OR Senior Professional level based on the successful candidate's qualifications.

Key Responsibilities

Quality Assurance and Technical Review

• Review energy assessment reports, calculations, and technical documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
• Verify that recommendations and savings estimates are supported by collected data, engineering principles, and applicable standards.
• Evaluate energy conservation measures (ECMs) and process improvement opportunities for technical validity and practical implementation.
• Identify quality issues and provide feedback to advisors to improve deliverables.
• Research and resolve complex technical challenges and consult industry resources or subject matter experts as needed.
• Elevate significant technical or policy issues requiring broader program guidance.

Standards Development and Program Consistency

• Develop and maintain quality control procedures, review protocols, templates, calculators, and assessment tools.
• Establish standardized review processes, documentation requirements, and reporting expectations.
• Monitor quality trends and recommend process improvements.
• Promote consistency in methodologies, assumptions, savings calculations, and reporting practices across the energy team.
• Implement best practices that improve efficiency, credibility, and client value.

Technical Oversight and Staff Support

• Provide technical guidance on assessment methods, calculations, reporting, and recommendations.
• Support onboarding, training, mentoring, and professional development of advisors.
• Develop training and quality improvement resources.

Program Support and Reporting

• Assist the Associate Director in tracking quality metrics, performance indicators, and program goals.
• Prepare reports on review findings, recurring issues, and improvement opportunities.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, workflow enhancements, and special projects that strengthen program effectiveness.

Required Skills and Experience

• Knowledge of industrial energy systems, manufacturing processes, utility systems, and energy efficiency technologies.
• Experience reviewing technical reports, engineering analyses, and energy calculations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and quality assurance skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and technical accuracy.
• Ability to interpret engineering data, standards, and technical documentation.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide constructive feedback and mentorship.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining high-quality standards.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in a related engineering or energy discipline.
• Experience conducting or reviewing industrial energy assessments, audits, process optimization studies, or sustainability projects.
• Experience supporting manufacturing clients.
• Familiarity with U.S. Department of Energy assessment methodologies and industrial energy management practices.
• Knowledge of motors, pumps, compressed air, HVAC, process heating, steam systems, and industrial controls.
• Professional credentials such as CEM, CP EnMS, or PE.
• Experience developing technical standards, quality assurance programs, and staff training initiatives.

Work Arrangement

This position may be based at University Park or another approved Penn State campus location. A hybrid work arrangement may be considered based on operational needs and University policy.

The successful candidate will demonstrate a commitment to technical excellence, continuous improvement, collaboration, and delivering high-quality services that help Pennsylvania manufacturers improve energy performance, operational efficiency, and competitiveness.