Energy Marshal - Data Centers

Overview

The Energy Marshal is responsible for project-level planning, coordination, verification, and authorization of startup, hazardous-energy-control, and controlled system-state activities on Mission Critical (MC) projects in accordance with current Energy Marshal (EM) Program standards, contractual and client requirements, applicable regulations, and approved project procedures. In this role, startup encompasses the controlled introduction, release, transfer, isolation, or restoration of all energy types across MC MEP Systems, including, but not limited to: electrical, mechanical, thermal, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other hazardous energy forms.

The Energy Marshal serves as Suffolk’s Gate Check Warden and final independent integration point for startup authorization. In this capacity, the Energy Marshal confirms that the accountable Operations, Quality, Commissioning (Cx), Safety, trade-partner, client, and technical stakeholders have completed and documented their required readiness determinations before startup or a controlled system-state transition proceeds. The Gate Check Warden does not replace those functions or independently certify their work; the duty is to integrate the required inputs, reconcile unresolved conditions, document the authorization decision, and prevent progression when readiness has not been adequately demonstrated. Trade partners and vendors remain responsible for safely executing their work through qualified personnel and designated Persons in Charge; project Operations retains construction execution and trade management; Quality verifies installation conformance; Commissioning verifies commissioning readiness.

This position reports to either the assignment Sr Energy Marshal or the MC EM Program Manager. Between assignments, the role may support Preconstruction, Technical MEP, Commissioning planning, audits, training, or other program priorities.

Responsibilities

Startup Planning and Energy-Control Implementation

• Develop and maintain project-specific startup-governance, hazardous-energy-control, access-control, and documentation processes in accordance with current EM Program standards and client requirements
• Review startup procedures, Methods of Procedure (MOP), switching and isolation plans, permits, and system diagrams for completeness and alignment with approved standards
• Identify systems approaching startup or an energizable, pressurized, or otherwise hazardous condition; coordinate the transition to formal energy-control governance and align startup and energy-control activities with the project master schedule, construction sequencing, Cx plan, and phased turnover requirements
• Verify that responsible trade partners designate qualified personnel and a competent Person in Charge for each applicable activity; administer project lock, tag, permit, and access-control processes
• Identify and escalate scope gaps, conflicting activities, unauthorized conditions, and other startup or energy-control risks before they affect personnel, equipment, testing, or project milestones

Startup Readiness and Gate Check Warden Duties

• Lead or facilitate startup planning and readiness reviews in accordance with current EM Program standards and verify objective completion of applicable prerequisites
• Serve as final independent integration point for startup authorization by confirming required Operations, Quality, Cx, Safety, client, and technical readiness determinations have been completed and documented before progression
• Confirm that each accountable function retains responsibility for its own readiness determination; Gate Check Warden authorization does not replace Quality verification of conformance, Cx readiness, Safety controls, trade execution responsibility, or required client and authority approvals
• Preserve the dual-key principle: Cx readiness does not replace Energy Marshal authorization, and Energy Marshal authorization does not replace Cx readiness
• Document startup authorization decisions, including applicable conditions, restrictions, authorized system state, responsible parties, and required follow-up actions
• Verify that required procedures, permits, pre-task planning, and safety controls are in place, and that isolation, lockout/tagout, stored-energy control, absence-of-energy verification, startup, and restoration activities are performed by qualified personnel per approved procedures
• Coordinate startup and system-state transitions across concurrent or interdependent systems, and conduct pre- and post-activity field verification to confirm equipment status, isolation boundaries, signage, access controls, and system security remain consistent with approved conditions

Field Assurance, Documentation, and Incident Control

• Audit field practices against approved EM Program, client, regulatory, and project requirements and require corrective action when conditions deviate from established controls
• Verify that applicable system studies, equipment labeling, drawings, and protection or control information are complete and available before affected startup activities proceed
• Manage energy-control deviations, unauthorized access, procedural violations, and abnormal system states through containment, correction, revalidation, and escalation; ensure changes to approved procedures, system configuration, personnel, sequencing, or field conditions are reassessed and reauthorized before affected work continues
• Maintain complete, accurate, traceable, and audit-ready records of startup status, permits, approvals, isolations, qualifications, deviations, and system-state changes within designated systems; provide timely reporting of upcoming startup activities, current conditions, unresolved risks, and residual exposure to leadership
• Support investigation of startup-related incidents, near misses, and procedural deviations, verify corrective actions are implemented, and coordinate transfer of startup status and energy-control records during phased turnover

Stakeholder, Training, and Team Leadership

• Serve as the primary project interface for startup and hazardous-energy governance with project leadership, Safety, Quality, Cx, trade partners, vendors, clients, utilities, and authorities having jurisdiction; lead startup-readiness, energy-control, and system-state meetings as assigned
• Lead implementation and reinforcement of the Gate Check Warden process on the assigned project, including orientation/training, clarification of responsibilities, and consistent application of startup-authorization expectations
• Deliver or coordinate project-specific startup and electrical-safety orientation and verify that personnel assigned to controlled activities possess required qualifications and training
• Direct the day-to-day activities of assigned Deputy Energy Marshals and other Suffolk EM personnel; coordinate third-party EM resources supporting the project
• Maintain independent startup and energy-control authority while supporting project delivery objectives and collaborative working relationships with project Operations; provide lessons learned and field-based improvement recommendations to the EM Program Manager

#MCHiring

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Safety, or a related technical discipline, or an equivalent combination of trade, industry, military, and technical experience
• Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in MC construction, startup, Cx, critical-facility operations, or hazardous-energy control, and lockout/tagout activities
• Strong technical competence in at least one core MEP discipline, with working knowledge of electrical distribution, MEP system interfaces, and pressurized, thermal, hydraulic, pneumatic, and other hazardous-energy sources
• Experience reviewing one-line/system diagrams, Methods of Procedure, switching and isolation plans, and permits
• Demonstrated experience coordinating complex or multi-party startup, LOTO, system isolation, system-state transition, energized testing, or critical switching activities
• Working knowledge of NFPA 70E, OSHA hazardous-energy-control requirements, and applicable NEC provisions; OSHA 30 certification, or ability to obtain within 90 days, and current electrical-safety and hazardous-energy-control training appropriate to assigned duties
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate objective evidence, identify incomplete or uncontrolled conditions, make independent authorization decisions, and communicate unfavorable determinations under schedule pressure
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, documentation, conflict-resolution, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work extended or rotating shifts during startup and testing phases
• Demonstrated commitment to Suffolk’s Core Values of Passion, Integrity, Hard Work, Professionalism, and Caring

Preferred Qualifications

• Hyperscale data center, critical-facility, utility, industrial, or similarly complex MC experience, including medium-voltage systems, protective relaying, and critical mechanical and pressurized systems
• Relevant trade technical license or engineering credential, NFPA, NETA, CSP, PE, or comparable qualification
• Experience administering formal LOTO, group lockout, startup authorization, or digital hazardous-energy-control systems, including AutoLOTO or comparable platforms
• Experience investigating startup incidents, near misses, switching errors, or unintended system-state changes

Working Conditions

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit for long periods of time; talk or hear; perform fine motor, hand and finger skills in the use of a keyboard, telephone, or writing. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; and reach with arms and/or hands. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. The employee will spend their time in an office environment with a quiet to moderate noise level. Job site walking.

EEO Statement

Suffolk provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, national origin, citizenship, genetic information, disability, protected veteran, gender identity, age or any other status protected by law.  This policy applies to recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, terminations, compensation, benefits, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Suffolk will not tolerate any unlawful discrimination toward, or harassment of, applicants or employees by anyone at Suffolk, or anyone working on behalf of Suffolk.

Compensation Information

Where required by law, pay ranges can be found in Suffolk's job postings. Base Salary for this position is just one component of Suffolk’s total rewards package for employees. Actual salaries may be based on several factors including, but not limited to, a candidate's skill set, experience, education and other qualifications. Suffolk offers a comprehensive benefits package as part of its overall total rewards strategy. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly to reflect market trends.

About Suffolk

Suffolk is a national enterprise that builds, innovates, and invests. We provide value across the entire project lifecycle through our core construction management services and complementary business lines in real estate investment, design, self-perform construction, and technology start-up investment (Suffolk Technologies). By integrating data, artificial intelligence, and advanced technology through our Seamless Platform, we connect design, construction, and operations to deliver smarter, more predictable results and redefine how America builds. 

Suffolk – America’s Contractor – is a national company with more than $13 billion in annual revenue, 3,000 employees, and 17 offices, including Boston (headquarters), New York City, Miami, West Palm Beach, Tampa, Estero, Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, Las Vegas, Herndon, U.S. Virgin Islands, and other key markets. Suffolk manages some of the most complex and transformative projects in the country, serving clients across healthcare, life sciences, education, gaming, aviation, transportation, government, mission critical, and commercial sectors. Suffolk is privately held and is led by founder, chairman and CEO John Fish. Suffolk is ranked #8 on ENR’s list of “Top CM-at-Risk Contractors.” For more information, visit www.suffolk.com and follow Suffolk on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram. 

At Suffolk, we believe that our total rewards program should offer you and your family the support you need when it matters most. That’s why we have created a program that provides employees with access to a wide variety of options that can be personalized to support you and your loved ones physically, emotionally, and financially. 

Benefits include, competitive salaries, auto allowances and gas cards for certain roles, access to market leading medical and emotional and mental health benefits, dental, and vision insurance plans, virtual care options for physical therapy and primary care, generous paid time off, 401k plan with employer match and access to expert financial resources, company paid and voluntary life insurance, tax deferred savings accounts, 10 backup daycare days each year, short- and long-term disability, commuter benefits and more.? For more information, click?here.