Energy Officer

Job Specification & Terms and Conditions

Job Title:    Energy Officer - Senior Assistant Technical Services Officer

Contract:   Specified Purpose Contract – Purpose estimated to last 2 years

Closing Date:   To be confirmed

Start Date:   To be advised

Salary Scale:   

The Salary scale for the post is: (as at 01/07/2022)€51,039 - €52,895 - €54,755 - €56,613 - €58,472 - €60,332 - €62,191 - €64,043 - €65,908 - €67,763 - €69,903 - €70,946 LSIs

Location of Post:   Capital & Estates Department – Energy Unit

There are currently contract posts available in the following locations:

1. Energy Unit  Swords
2. Energy Unit  Swords
3. North West (Sligo)
4. Mid West (Limerick)
5. South (Cork)
6. Corporate sir Patricks duns Dublin
7. TUSLA (swords)

Details of Service

Our Client’s Capital & Estates Department function provides a range of professional, technical, project management, property, fire and safety and related services in respect of the procurement, development, operation and maintenance of the health service’s physical infrastructure – including buildings, plant and equipment.

These services include design, specification, project management, supervision and procurement associated with major and minor capital building and refurbishment works, risk and asset management, property services, maintenance of health care facilities, fire and infrastructural safety issues, etc.

The Technical Services Officer, Senior Assistant. (Energy Officer) will:

Progress Energy and carbon reduction through energy management teams and behavioural change programmes by:

• Monitoring and reporting on the energy consumption in healthcare premises.
• Support existing and Initiate and implement new Energy Awareness Management Teams in locations as identified – Existing and New.
• Build on Best Practise in existing areas.
• Establish Energy Management Teams in locations identified including Hospital Manager /Finance Manager /Maintenance Manager/ Estates Representative.
• Work closely with and support Hospital Green Teams and Energy Teams.
• Provide/make available metered energy and water usage data / comparators and KPI’s.
• Progress Energy Audits.
• Compile Action Plans for each location.
• Run Staff “User Education” and “Energy Awareness Programmes”.
• Build on and develop the work already undertaken by the OPW through its ‘Optimising Power @ Work’ programme in the regions.
• Progress Display Energy Certs.
• Link and align the related – and sometimes parallel – work streams being progressed by different bodies, including the Organisation’s Estates Offices, local service users (health facilities), voluntary organisations (including section 38 & 39 bodies), the OPW, SEAI, DECC, Obligated parties etc. The objective will be to align all efforts to achieve the best outcome in reducing energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Work as part of the Regional Energy Bureau and contribute to Energy and carbon emission reduction across the wider health sector (including Section 38/39 organisations).
• Provide professional technical advice and guidance and most specifically in the area of Energy performance and Energy Efficient Design (EED) approaches and programmes and guidance in the area of decarbonisation of the Health Estate and support of the wider sustainability and decarbonisation agenda.

• Reporting Relationship   The post holder will report directly to a Deputy Estate Manager/Energy Lead or person as directed by the Estate Manager (this is subject to change from time to time as the organisation develops).
• The post holder will have a close working relationship and a strategic reporting relationship (regarding Energy and Decarbonisation) to the Estates National Energy Unit Manager.

• Purpose of the Post    To assist and provide leadership in the Organisation achieving the energy and carbon reduction targets set out in the Climate Action and Low Carbon Development (Amendment) Bill 2021.
• To deliver a Professional Energy Management Service to health service stakeholders and support estate services such as professional technical and project management services in accordance with the responsibilities and duties of the post and as agreed.
• The principle role of the Energy Officer will be to Effect Reductions in Energy Usage and Carbon Emissions in the Health Facilities assigned to him/her through behavioral awareness programs and through the establishment of Energy Management Teams and the supported running of “User Education” and “Energy Awareness Programmes”. Registers of opportunities can then be developed by these teams and any capital works can be progressed through the Estates Managers office.
• Under the general direction and control of the Office Energy Lead, Deputy Estates Manager and the Estates Manager, the Energy Officer will be responsible for progressing energy and carbon reduction initiatives, activities and programs within the Capital & Estates Office. The Energy Officer will be assigned a number of locations and facilities and will be responsible for establishing and/or supporting Energy/Green Teams at such premises and other locations as may be assigned to him/her.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The Technical Services Officer, Senior Assistant (Energy Officer) will:

Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, decarbonisation, water and transport initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service by:

• Effect Reductions in Energy Usage and Carbon Emissions in the Health Facilities assigned to him/her through behavioral awareness programmes and through the establishment of Energy Management Teams.
• Work closely with and provide advice and support to Green teams and Energy and Environmental Teams in Hospitals and Health care Facilities.
• Monitoring and reporting on the energy consumption in healthcare premises.
• Run “User Education” and “Energy Awareness Programmes”.
• Develop Registers of opportunities for Energy and carbon emissions reduction initiatives and works.
• Provide Water conservation and management advice and support.
• Assisting in developing Environmental Management Plans.
• Support Hospital Sustainable and active transport programmes.
• Working as part of the Regional Energy Bureau and contributing to Energy and carbon emission reduction across the wider health sector (including Section 38/39 organisations).
• Establish and embed energy management best practices into the culture and day-to-day activities of the Organisation’s staff and relevant stakeholders within the regions.
• Support Estates Office staff and Design Teams in implementing an Energy Efficient Design Approach on all projects.

Progress Energy and carbon reduction through energy minor capital works as will be identified by local Green and Energy Teams by:

• Embed the energy and carbon reduction agenda as a mainstream element in the delivery of the Organisation’s Estates service to health facilities.
• Produce ongoing Register of Opportunities and provide project development support for a pipeline of retrofit projects as will be identified by local Green and Energy Teams.
• Utilise nationally agreed Register of Opportunity benefit assessment tools to identify which projects should be progressed.
• Progress Funding Applications - capital works (major and minor) programmes. (and, where appropriate, via an EPC).
• Manage the specification, design, procurement and completion of energy minor capital works.
• Undertake a review of the MIC for all of the Organisation’s supply points.
• link and align the related – and sometimes parallel – work streams being progressed by different bodies, including the Organisation’s Estates Offices, local service users (health facilities), voluntary organisations (including section 38 & 39 bodies), the OPW, SEAI, DECC, Obligated parties etc. The objective will be to align all efforts to achieve the best outcome.

The Technical Services Officer, Senior Assistant (Energy Officer) will:

Work closely with and provide advice and support to The National Estates Energy Unit, by:

• Being an active team member of the Regional Energy Bureau.
• Working in a collaborative manner across all Regional Energy Bureau.
• Working closely with and reporting, on a strategic level, to the National Capital & Estates Energy Unit Estates Manager.
• Provide monthly activity, progress and works expenditure reports to the Local Estates Manager and to the National Energy Unit Estates manager.
• Input to the formation of the Annual Energy Minor works programme utilising nationally agreed Register of Opportunity benefit assessment tools.
• Working closely with Estates Waste Officers and supporting their work in reducing waste.
• Ensure all legislative obligations are complied with.

The Technical Services Officer, Senior Asst. (Energy Officer) may also be required to assist in the general duties of the Estates Office and will progress works as may be assigned to him by the Estates Manager in the following areas: -

Plan and supervise the execution of major & minor capital works throughout the area of responsibility this is in addition to managing specific Minor & Major projects within the program (and most specifically as they relate to Energy and Carbon reduction works and upgrades):

• Assist in the preparation of comprehensive brief for the proposed major and minor capital projects in consultation with services and estates personnel and advisors.
• Prepare budgets for the carrying out of the proposed Minor & Major Capital work programmes and ensuring that projects are within agreed budgets.
• Be responsible for Minor Works lists, selection of contractors for bid purposes and recommendation of tenders for acceptance for all projects.
• Ensure compliance with EU procurement and the Organisation’s financial regulations.
• Supervise staff and contractors in the implementation of the agreed programme.
• Provide Technical Support role to service personnel and other estates personnel as required.
• Support Estates Office staff and Design Teams in implementing an Energy Efficient Design Approach on all projects.

Draw up, or in appropriate circumstances, to arrange for the development of plans and contract arrangements for the implementation of approved maintenance programmes incorporating energy efficiency and carbon reduction measures:

• Assisting in defining requirements for all equipment and building, especially in seeking ease of maintenance and operation.
• Recommending awards of maintenance contracts to outside contractors where for economical or practical considerations such is considered desirable.

• Developing proposals with selected contractors.
• Supervising staff and contractors in the implementation of the agreed programme.

Work with and support the activities of the Organisation’s Property Manager to ensure compliance with Organisation’s Property Transaction Protocols and other relevant property related task when assigned such as:

• Work with the Property Manager to develop and implement a property management strategy and local property plans, which incorporate energy and carbon reduction targets, in collaboration with other key personnel and advisors.
• Work with the property manager to ensure that all property transactions conform to statutory requirements including energy and carbon reduction targets.
• Assess the physical infrastructure of the Organisation’s property portfolio including purpose, state of upkeep, capacity, suitability, space utilization and security.
• Have a working knowledge of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) Standards as they apply to the role for example, Standards for Healthcare, National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections, Hygiene Standards etc., and comply with associated Organisation’s protocols for implementing and maintaining these standards as appropriate to the role.
• Support, promote and actively participate in sustainable energy, water and waste initiatives to create a more sustainable, low carbon and efficient health service.

The above Job Specification is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all duties involved and consequently, the post holder may be required to perform other duties as appropriate to the post which may be assigned to them from time to time and to contribute to the development of the post while in office.

Eligibility Criteria

Qualifications and/ or experience

Candidates must at the latest date of application:

1.Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.

(i) Hold a Level 8 (or higher) Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major academic award in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or Sustainable Energy Engineering accredited by the relevant Professional Institute being Engineers Ireland.

OR

(ii) Hold a qualification at least equivalent to the one above.

OR

(iii) Have Membership of the relevant professional association: Engineers Ireland.

AND

(iv) Have had at least five years’ satisfactory experience after attaining the qualification at (i) (ii) (iii) above, in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering, including adequate experience in the design, project management and construction of buildings or in the installation or maintenance of the mechanical, electrical and heating services of such buildings.

AND

(v) Possess the requisite knowledge and ability (including a high standard of suitability and of management ability) to enter on the discharge.

2.Health

A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.

3.Character

Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.

Post Specific Requirements

•    Demonstrate depth and breadth of experience as relevant to the role, including experience in energy management, renewable energy technologies, the construction or maintenance of buildings or in the installation or maintenance of the mechanical, electrical, heating and energy management and energy services of such buildings.
• Demonstrate depth and breadth of technical training and experience as relevant to the role.

Other requirements specific to the post   Access to appropriate transport to fulfil the requirements of the role.  

Skills, competencies and/or knowledge

Candidates must demonstrate:

Knowledge & Experience

• A high level of knowledge and experience of Energy Management, Energy Systems and renewable Energy.
• Knowledge and sufficient past experience in the design and construction in line with NZEB requirements and Energy Efficient Design (EED) management on construction projects in line with IS 399.
• Previous experience in dynamic thermal analysis and applications to both new and existing buildings for the purposes of Part L compliance, energy analysis, daylight and overheating analysis is required.
• A high level of knowledge and experience of the construction of buildings and building services and an understanding of the maintenance requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of the Climate Action Plan and Sustainability.
• Knowledge and understanding of the healthcare environment, particularly of residential buildings, hospitals and other health facilities.
• Good working knowledge of legislation and technical guidance in the estates area including building, planning, health and safety and fire safety regulations.
• Knowledge of relevant internationally accepted standards in relation to the design and maintenance of health care buildings.
• Knowledge of option appraisal procedures, brief writing and building user consultation, cost estimation and control, hospital design, healthcare and project management and of the procurement process appropriate to public sector capital projects.
• Knowledge and sufficient past experience in managing and delivering projects through BIM in accordance with PAS AS 1192 and ISO 19650, a requirement on all capital projects.

Building and Maintaining Relationships including Leadership and Teamwork Skills

• Leadership and team management skills including the ability to work with multi-disciplinary team members, internal and external stakeholders.
• Evidence of influencing and negotiation skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships.
• Be flexible, team-oriented and a relationship-builder.
• Capacity to achieve results through cross-sectoral / divisional working.
• The capacity to lead, organise and motivate staff to function effectively in times of rapid change.

Planning and Managing Resources

• Flexibility, adaptability and openness to working effectively in a changing environment.
• Evidence of effective planning and organising skills including awareness of resource management and importance of value for money.
• Ability to manage deadlines and effectively handle multiple tasks.
• High level understanding of the day-to-day business challenges whilst not losing sight of long-term strategic goals.
• The ability to deliver immediate operational performance.
• Superior management skills: ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers; results oriented.
• A service-user centred approach to the provision of services.
• A track record of service innovation and delivery in a challenging environment.
• Strong results focus and ability to achieve results through collaborative working.

Evaluating Information, Problem Solving & Decision Making

• Ability to operate as an effective strategic and tactical thinker.
• Excellent judgment and creative problem-solving skills, including negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Knowledge and application of evidence-based decision-making practices and methodologies.
• Ability to challenge effectively and to maintain the highest levels of professional integrity in challenging circumstances.

Commitment to Providing a Quality Service

• Commitment to providing a quality service including an awareness and appreciation of the service user.
• Commitment to continuing professional development.
• Commitment to improving outcomes for service users.
• The capacity to cope with competing demands without a diminution in performance.

Communication & Interpersonal Skills

• Effective communication skills including the ability to give constructive feedback to encourage learning.
• Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills and the ability to effectively interface with senior management and external stakeholders.
• The ability to communicate ideas, positions and information clearly and convincingly.
• Excellent ICT and report writing skills.
• The ability to facilitate and manage groups and to give constructive feedback.
• Good interpersonal skills to interface effectively with all stakeholders.
• Good public relations ability, enthusiasm and initiative.