Sustainability Data Analyst

About the City of Durham

Sustainability and Energy Management (SEM) works to expand the City’s use of renewable energy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and improve the City’s resilience to the effects of climate change. SEM will lead the implementation of the City’s Carbon Neutrality and Renewable Energy Action Plan unanimously approved by the City Council in late 2021.

Position Overview & Description

The City of Durham is committed to doing its part to address the global climate crisis by decarbonizing City facilities and operations and creating innovative carbon reduction strategies in our community. In 2021, Durham was one of the first cities to commit to ambitious carbon neutrality and renewable energy goals through the Carbon Neutrality and Renewable Energy Action Plan (CNRE).

The City’s CNRE Action Plan has four main strategies: 

1. Maximize energy efficiency in City buildings and operations
2. Expand renewable energy generation and procurement
3. Transition away from fossil fuels in City fleet and buildings
4. Establish innovative carbon reduction strategies and community partnerships

The SEI Climate Corps Fellow will play a key role in creating the systems and processes needed to make data-driven decisions to power this positive change. This role will be responsible for gathering, cleaning, and analyzing vast amounts of City energy data and then creating compelling reports and data visualizations to guide decision-making by identifying anticipated benefits, consequences, and impacts of alternative system options. In other words, when we are asked to report progress toward our Carbon Neutrality goals, the Data Analyst will help us provide real answers and point us to opportunities to advance these goals even further. This is a hybrid role with 3 days remote and 2 days in office.

Responsibilities

• Quantify and communicate high-level performance indicators, such as total greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy generation, fleet fossil fuel use, building energy use, and cost savings
• Data collection from various software tools and sub-metering data analysis for end-use accounting, energy, and water cost analysis
• Assist in the design and implementation of policies, plans, and procedures for continuous monitoring of energy and water performance
• Report the energy/water performance/savings from energy conservation measures for new and existing facilities
• Create and maintain an energy benchmarking database for a portfolio of buildings
• Deliver insights through data tables, charts, graphs, reports, and presentations
• Responsible for evaluating the value and impact of various on-site renewable energy assets such as PV solar arrays, battery storage, micro-grids, and efficiency
• Analyze the business case for a transition to electric vehicles using a total cost of ownership model
• Complete the City of Durham greenhouse gas inventory using ICLEI
• Monitor hourly energy profiles to identify problems with system operation and opportunities for reducing off-hour usage

Desired Qualifications

• Data analysis using Excel, Python, or R
• Data visualization
• Business and financial modeling
• Business case development
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Outstanding interpersonal skills
• Practical knowledge of carbon reduction implementation, application of data analysis, and visualization

We encourage anyone who is interested in this position and who meets some of the qualifications to apply, even if they do not meet all of them. We recognize that a unique perspective and background can enhance a role when many, if not all, of the listed qualifications are met.

**If you would need to relocate for this position, please note that you need to be in the state you are relocating to no less than 10 business days before the start of the fellowship.**

Benefits

• End-of-program financial award.
• Healthcare coverage with 100% of healthcare insurance premiums covered by the employer.
• Access to a national Member Assistance Program, which includes financial and legal assistance, medical advocacy, and counseling services. 
• Professional and Personal Development Training
• ​Career-readiness training in interview preparation, salary negotiation, and developing a professional resume and cover letter.
• Attending panels, workshops, and presentations by climate resilience industry professionals. 
• Professional networking opportunities. 

About Climate Corps

Climate Corps, a program of SEI, is an award-winning fellowship program that provides professional development opportunities for emerging leaders through the implementation of sustainability and resiliency projects with local governments, nonprofits, and for-profit businesses. To see a full list of climate, energy, and sustainability positions posted by Climate Corps, please visit here: https://jobs.climatecorps.org/listings. We are constantly adding positions, so make sure to frequently check this site to see if there are new opportunities available.

SEI is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity. We believe that a wide array of perspectives contributes to creative climate solutions where all communities thrive. We strive to reflect diverse communities, especially those most impacted by climate change and other kinds of environmental, social, and economic injustices. Persons of color, persons with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community are strongly encouraged to apply. A commitment to work and learn within an anti-oppression framework is required. https://www.seiinc.org/dei.html