4/3 – Job Alert : BPI Auditor at Seis-Stream Global

Wednesday, April 3rd 2013

SEI is pleased to post occasional job openings from member companies, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Send job descriptions to Will Williams.

0170093BPI Auditor /Energy Efficiency Auditor

Desired Skills & Experience

BPI Building Analyst Professional certification

BPI Auditor

BPI Auditor, Crew Leaders & Technicians Employment qualifications for Hire Must have BPI Building Analyst Professional certification Carpentry and Framing experience a big plus 2. Has experience in weatherization testing and installation of the following. Combustion safety testing CAZ depressurization testing Blower door gross air leakage testing Zonal pressure testing Pressure pan testing Heating equipment assessment DHW heater assessment Central and room air conditioning equipment assessment Moisture condition assessment Proper documentation Assessment of existing insulation General safety practices, including use of PPE Air sealing practices, including foaming, installation of foam board, damming, weather-stripping Duct sealing and insulation practices Thermal/pressure boundary assessment Proper damming of heat producing devices Identification of wiring types Proper use of baffles and soffit chutes 3. OSHA cert a plus.

No felonies in the last 10 years Must pass drug screen Must have a valid drivers license High School diploma or equivilent

Company Description

Since 1992, we have provided consulting and human capital services to the Energy, Petrochemical and Construction industries. As a capable and trusted human capital partner to our clients, our firm provides a range of talent acquisition models to support discrete, time-sensitive projects and ongoing business requirements. Depending on the client’s specific business/technical drivers, our teams deliver resources along the complete hiring continuum:

• Consulting
• Executive Search/Contingent Search
• Staff Augmentation
• Payrolling

Seis-Stream Global has been named to the 2013 Best of Staffing™ Talent and Client Lists. Fewer than 1% of all staffing agencies in North America earned the 2013 Best of Staffing™ award for providing an exceptional permanent and temporary talent experience and remarkable quality of service to their clients. With average satisfaction scores more than double the industry average, the Best of Staffing™ winners lead the industry in providing an exceptional job candidate experience and exceeding client expectations.

Apply online on LinkedIn

 

3/28 – PECO Announces New Programs and Incentives

Thursday, March 28th 2013

logo_smartideasPECO recently received approval from the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission to continue offering PECO Smart Ideas energy efficiency programs in compliance with Phase II of Act 129. Information about existing and new programs can be found on PECO’s website:

Residential Programs:

Current programs continuing after June 1, 2013

  • PECO Smart Home Rebates – This program will provide rebates for the purchase of eligible, energy efficient refrigerators, air conditioners, hot water heaters, HVAC equipment and pool pumps.
  • PECO Smart Appliance Recycling – This program picks up and recycles older, working refrigerators and freezers and will provide a rebate to eligible customers.
  • PECO Smart Lighting Discounts – This program will continue to provide in-store discounts on your purchases of eligible CFL and LED bulbs. A complete list of eligible products and list of retailers will be provided this June.
  • PECO Low Income Energy Efficiency (LEEP) – This program educates and assists income eligible residential customers on reducing energy usage by installing CFL bulbs, refrigerators and HVAC equipment as appropriate.

New programs being added after June 1, 2013

  • PECO Smart House Call – This new program provides a walk through energy assessment to all PECO electric residential customers. In addition, all PECO residential electric heat customers are eligible for a comprehensive energy audit including blower door test and available rebates for weatherization measures such as attic insulation and duct sealing. The program also includes direct install measures such as CFL bulbs and advanced power strips for all audits and assessments as appropriate.
  • PECO Smart Usage Profile – This new targeted residential program delivers customized home energy usage reports only to residential customers using more than 14,000 kiloWatt-hours (kWh) annually. Customers are automatically included in the program based on usage. Available only to qualifying customers.
  • PECO Smart Energy Saver – This new targeted residential program educates students grades 5-7 about energy efficiency with curriculum and “take-home” energy savings kits.
  • PECO Smart Builder Rebates – This new program targets builders of new or completely renovated single-family, electric heated homes and offers incentives to builders and developers to incorporate energy efficiency into their designs.

Commercial Programs

More information is available on PECO.com

3/21 – Job Alert: BPI Building Analyst at Keating Environmental Management

Friday, February 15th 2013

SEI is pleased to post occasional job openings from member companies, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Send job descriptions to Will Williams.

BPI Certified Professional
Employment type: Full-time
Keating Environmental Management, Inc.

Keating Environmental Management, Inc. (KEM), located in Exton, PA is a certified woman-owned business enterprise (WBE). Our company is a full-service environmental, energy, sustainability and procurement solutions firm that has been in business for more than twenty years. KEM offers integrated solutions for complex environmental consulting, remedial action, energy and “green” building projects in a cost-effective and professional manner. Visit www.keatingenvironmental.com to learn more about KEM.
Keating Environmental has long-term career opportunities for professionals who are focused on the delivery of high quality and high value services. Candidates must hold a current and valid BPI Analyst certificate with Building Envelope certification a plus. The candidate will have demonstrable experience in performing energy audits. Experience conducting blower door and duct tightness tests will be considered a plus. Candidates with additional areas of knowledge and experience such as commercial and industrial energy audits, measurement and verification, energy modeling, LEED accreditation, etc. will receive greater consideration. As the position requires a high degree of interaction with residential customers, being dressed in appropriate attire and appearance, a pleasant disposition and patience are important attributes of a candidate.

Responsibilities will encompass, but are not limited to, conducting residential walk-through energy assessments in accordance with BPI standards. The walk-throughs require the collection of detailed information (e.g. utility data, equipment and building data, operational characteristics); identifying energy savings opportunities, educating the customer and motivating them to participate in rebate programs where appropriate; install of direct measures and producing reports for homeowners using program audit software.

Additional responsibilities will include scheduling, tracking, cost control, marketing, development of proposals, project management and related technical services. This position is only for an experienced professional who can demonstrate and document their past experience and success. The successful candidate will:

• Have current and valid BPI Analyst certificate; Building Envelope certification a plus;
• Have conducted numerous energy audits in accordance with BPI standards with experience conducting blower door tests and duct tightness testing a plus;
• Be a self-starter and have high standards of quality;
• Work both independently and in a team environment;
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Possess a valid Pennsylvania driver’s license and reliable transportation;
• Be proficient in reading maps/the use of GPS technology and the operation of computers/tablets/smartphone;
• Possess a smartphone;
• Be comfortable to work, alone, within residential environments throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania and other locations as needed;
• Be able to meet the mental, visual and hearing demands of working in an environment with multiple, simultaneous stimuli such as residents, pets, pests, phones, computers and televisions. Must be able to hear equipment auditory sounds and be able to visualize computer screens and digital displays;
• Be physically capable of lifting 50+ lbs repeatedly, climb ladders and stairs, work within limited clearance spaces and be on their feet for long periods (see below for additional physical/working requirements);
• Be able to install direct measures, such as compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs), aerators, showerheads, “smart” power strips, weather stripping, and other simple measures as may be required, including the use of basic hand/power tools;
• Possess or be able to obtain criminal, child abuse and FBI background checks, drug screening and other forms of screening/testing as required to work on behalf of clients in residential/educational settings.
• Be financial responsible through the judicious use of materials and supplies, prevention of damage, misuse or loss of equipment and through accurate documentation of approved expenses.

KEM offers employees competitive compensation and benefit packages including company paid medical, dental and life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, and 401(k) with company contributions.

If interested, please send resume, cover letter, which addresses the above items and salary requirements and references to humanresources@kempartners.com, referencing “BPI Professional” in the subject.

2/27 – New Incentives for Hiring in Pennsylvania

Wednesday, February 27th 2013

The Smart Energy Initiative strives to keep local employers current with hiring incentives from the Commonwealth. The Keystone Works program seeks to incentivise the retraining and hiring of displaced workers; here are the details:

  • Businesses participating in Keystone Works pay no wages to the trainee – not even the additional premium cost of providing workers’ compensation insurance coverage during the training period.
  • Training can be conducted for up to 24 hours per week for up to eight weeks.
  • Individuals referred to businesses will be prescreened by PA CareerLink® staff to meet the criteria outlined by the business.
  • Businesses will interview referred individuals to ensure they are an appropriate match.
  • Trainees completing a training plan outlined by the business will have received up to 192 hours of training, enabling them to be immediately productive if hired.
  • Then, businesses who hire trainees receive a monetary incentive for doing so – $375 every four weeks the trainee is employed full time, up to a total of $1,500 per trainee for 16 weeks.

For questions or more information, email Will WIlliams.

2/20 – Slides from 2013 Energy Briefing Posted

Tuesday, February 19th 2013

The Smart Energy Initiative’s 2013 Energy Briefing was a great success! Special thanks to our sponsor, ICF International, and our speakers:

Thanks to our Sponsor!

Thanks to our Sponsor!

Mike O’Leary – PECO Energy
Paul Spiegel – Practical Energy Solutions
David Rosenberg – Gamesa Wind
Tom Tuffey – Community Energy
Bill Ronayne – Brandywine Valley Heating & Air Conditioning
Dan Lapato – Pennsylvania DEP

PDFs of the slides are available here:

Energy Briefing Part 1
Energy Briefing Part 2
Energy Briefing Part 3

Energy Breifing 2013 020

2/15 – Job Alert: Manager of Policy and Advocacy at DVGBC

Friday, February 15th 2013

SEI is pleased to post occasional job openings from member companies, as a means of effectively reaching qualified, local candidates in the smart energy industry. Send job descriptions to Will Williams.

DVGBC seeks candidates for a new position, Manager of Policy and Advocacy. DVGBC is a non-profit organization working to promote green building practices in the Delaware Valley. We are the local chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council; our region covers the five-county Philadelphia region, the Lehigh Valley and the state of Delaware. This is a full-time job, reporting to the Executive Director. The preliminary job description includes the following tasks:

  • Develop and direct implementation of policy agenda  for the chapter
  • Work closely with U.S. Green Building Council Advocacy team
  • Support Key Performance Indicator tracking and reporting for USGBC grant
  • Recruit and organize volunteers, including DVGBC Board members; establish regular meetings with goals and tasks for volunteers
  • Work closely with, and support partner PA chapters on statewide policy and advocacy initiatives
  • Establish annual Advocacy Day in PA and DE
  • Ensure elected officials and decision-makers are invited to all DVGBC events
  • Track relationships among staff, volunteers, and decision-makers
  • Follow key policy developments at state and local levels and new issues, such as Healthy Products Declaration, etc.
  • Develop and maintain partnerships, e.g., Energy Efficient Buildings Hub, City of Philadelphia Office of Sustainability, USGBC Advocacy staff
  • Track and report on goals; communicate to key stakeholders
  • Write policy briefs for DVGBC and policy decision-makers
  • Develop tools, including advocacy alerts, to engage our constituents around policy initiatives
  • Develop new markets and non-traditional audiences; look for opportunities to connect on other areas of focus, such as green schools
  • Raise funds for policy work
  • Coordinate and collaborate with staff leading Greenbuild 2013, Green Schools and other DVGBC initiatives

Experience & Skills

  • 5-7 years’ work experience in sustainable design/building, or related field
  • B.A. or B.S. degree
  • Work experience in policy or political area; in PA or DE a plus
  • Skilled verbal communicator
  • Strong writing skills for lay audience
  • Team player; strong collaborator
  • Outgoing and enjoys networking
  • Able to juggle multiple tasks while meeting deadlines
  • Strong project management skills
  • Experienced meeting facilitator

Salary based on skills and experience. Send resume and cover letter to info@dvgbc.org by February 20, 2013.

Click here to download a PDF of this job posting.

2/12 – Summary of PA Sunshine Program Webinar

Tuesday, February 12th 2013

Unable to make DEP’s Webinar on the Sunshine Program? Here’s a quick summary of the call. For more info visit DEP’s Sunshine Program webpage

  • $7.5M has been allocated for Solar PV, solar thermal, and battery backup systems through the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program.
    • Approximately $4M will be paid to projects already on the wait list, leaving around $3.5M for projects completed between now and December 31st 2013.
    • Wait-listed projects not completed by June 1st 2013 will lose their spot on the list, but can apply again.
  • Rebates cover $.75/watt for residential projects, up to $7,500 or 10kw, or $.75/watt for the first 10kw, and $.50/watt for the last 90 kw for small commerical projects (companies with up to 100 employees) up to $52,500 or 100kw.
    • Projects over 100kw can apply, but per-watt rebates only apply to first 100kw of project size.
  • Rebates for solar thermal projects will cover 30% of project costs, up to $5,000 for residential, or $50,000 for small commercial (again, an entity with less than 101 employees).
  • Projects become eligible for rebates upon completion of the project. This adds uncertainty on whether or not customer will receive rebate.
  • Fund are available until December 31st, or whenever funds are exhausted.
  • DEP’s Sunshine Webpage will be updated weekly with the total paid out, which will not reflect what has yet to be processed.
  • Prevailing wage rules still apply.

Contact Walt Dinda at DEP with questions at wdinda@pa.gov or (717) 772-8912.

Disclaimer: We have endeavored to provide an accurate summary of this program. We make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability or availability with respect to the website or the information contained here.

2/5 – Training Grant Applications Due February 15th

Tuesday, February 5th 2013

Click here to download SEI’s 2012-2013 Incumbent Worker Training Grant application (Microsoft Excel – .xls).

Grant applications will be reviewed by SEI’s training committee and awardees will be notified within 15 business days of submission. Applications are evaluated for a number of criteria, including submitting firm’s participation in the Smart Energy Initiative through Working Groups, programming, and subcommittees.

All submitting organizations must FIRST complete the 2012-2013 Needs Assessment survey.

Grant funds are provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry and the Chester County Workforce Investment Board.

2/1 – Check out The 2013 Energy Briefing on February 15th!

Sponsor

Sponsor

Friday, February 15th 2013

Chester County Economic Development Council
737 Constitution Drive
Exton, PA 19341
View Map
$25
Click here to register

The Smart Energy Initiative and the Chester County Economic Development Council have developed a panel discussion to share diverse information on policy, incentives, and opportunities, resulting from or clarified by local, state and federal elections and policies. Join us to gain valuable insight into a comprehensive energy strategy including conservation, efficiency, renewable energy, and procurement, as well as keep up-to-date with our region’s energy players. The panel will include:

  • PECO Energy – Mike O’Leary
    Phase II of Act 129 and opportunities for businesses and homeowners
  • Practical Energy Solutions – Paul Spiegel
    Philadelphia’s commercial benchmarking policy and regional implications
  • Gamesa Wind – David Rosenberg
    PTC extension, PA markets, and national/global industry outlook
  • Community Energy – Tom Tuffey
    Pennsylvania and regional solar opportunities
  • Pennsylvania DEP – Dan Lapato
    Marcellus Shale Development, price forecasts, and transportation initiatives

Target Audience

All business, manufacturing, government, education, healthcare and municipal entities.

Agenda

8:00 – 8:30am – Registration and Breakfast
8:30 – 8:35am – Welcome & Introduction
8:35 – 10:00am – Panel Presentations
9:50 – 10:00am – Q&A

Click here to register

 

1/28 – $7.25M Allocated for PA’s Sunshine Program for Solar Projects

Monday, January 28th 2013

From the Penn Future Energy Center:

“Funding has been restored to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Solar Rebate Program to the tune of $7.25 million to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Starting next week, all completed solar installation projects can apply for rebates ranging from $7,500 for a residential system (maximum 10 KW) to $52,500 for a small commercial system (maximum 100 KW). Solar thermal rebates are also available.

DEP has also made changes to the program guidelines. In this latest phase of the program, a streamlined one-step application procedure will lead to review and approval by the Sunshine Staff on a first-come, first-served basis. However, DEP notes that processing the existing backlog of rebates on the reserve list will take several weeks to complete.

Existing applications in the system that were approved for construction must be completed by June 1, 2013; applications submitted after that date will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis. The program will close after this final round of funding expires, or by December 31, 2013, whichever comes first. 

DEP is hosting a Sunshine Solar Program webinar on Tuesday, February 12 from 2-3 p.m. To outline program changes and answer any related questions.”

 

Click here to register for the webinar.