BERDO Program Manager | City of Boston

Overview:

The BERDO Program Manager leads a team to implement the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO). The Program Manager will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day implementation of BERDO including, annual reporting and data management, enforcement, the BERDO Review Board, contributing to ongoing policy and regulations development, engaging with key partners, managing contracts, and developing additional programming, communications, and outreach to ensure successful implementation of BERDO. The BERDO Program Manager will collaborate closely with the Building Decarbonization Program Manager to ensure that buildings subject to BERDO are able to access technical and financial decarbonization guidance and support. The Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance Program Manager will report to the Director of Carbon Neutrality and will directly supervise a team.

Background:

Mayor Wu’s administration is committed to a Green New Deal for Boston, by reducing planet-warming pollution while creating economic opportunities for everyone, especially those from environmental justice communities who often suffer the worst impacts of climate change. In October 2021, the City passed the Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance (BERDO 2.0), which sets carbon targets for medium- and large-sized buildings across Boston to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 for Boston’s largest source of emissions. BERDO applies to nearly 6,000 buildings in Boston and requires buildings greater than 20,000 square feet or 15 units to report their annual energy usage to the City and to meet declining emissions standards. The City makes the resulting metrics on energy and greenhouse emissions publicly available.

Responsibilities:

• Manage all aspects of annual reporting for BERDO including outreach and notification, reporting support for building owners, data collection and management, enforcement.
• Direct data management software consultant. Identify and direct tool improvements for implementation.
• Contribute to development of BERDO regulations and policies.
• Conduct program assessment and evaluation.
• Oversee the BERDO help desk, respond to help desk emails and phone calls, and meet with constituents as needed to resolve issues.
• Coordinate internal and external activities and programs related to BERDO implementation and maintain relationships with key stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other municipal departments and agencies.
• Supervise staffing and support for the BERDO Review Board. Recruit, train and manage direct-reporting staff engaged in the implementation of BERDO. Directly supervises BERDO Project Managers and the BERDO Review Board Manager.
• Maintain and update the BERDO website and public facing materials.
• Identify obstacles to BERDO implementation and problem solve solutions.
• Manage procurement processes to secure goods and services as required to support the City’s sustainability goals and programs.
• Work to ensure long-term sustainability and success of BERDO by identifying additional funding, staffing, and technical assistance needs. Apply for and manage grants, including federal grants.
• Work to ensure long-term sustainability and success of the Retrofit Resource Hub by identifying additional funding, staffing, and technical assistance needs.
• Apply for and manage grants, including federal grants.
• Engage with peer cities to bring best-practices on building decarbonization to Boston.
• Develop relationships with local and national organizations that provide technical assistance and funding to building owners.
• Represent the City of Boston in local, national and global forums around strategies, programs and initiatives related to carbon neutrality.
• Build strong, collaborative partnerships with businesses, institutions, non-profits, neighborhood groups and resident associations.
• Perform related work as required.

Minimum Entrance Qualifications:

• Five (5) years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in climate, urban planning, law, real estate, engineering, or a related field and at least one (2) year of management experience. Additional experience preferred.
• A bachelor’s degree is required.
• A master’s degree in energy, environmental science, urban planning, architecture, engineering, policy or a related field is strongly preferred and may be substituted for three (3) years of the required experience. Management experience may not be substituted.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office and Google Suite with a strong emphasis on data management skills, including experience with Excel, Google Sheets, GIS, and other data management tools. Experience with Energy Star Portfolio Manager preferred.
• Ability to creatively vision, design, execute, and implement projects that advance a broader goal.
• Demonstrated knowledge of greenhouse gas emissions accounting and building energy efficiency is strongly preferred.
• Strong communication skills (oral, written, and presentation) with the ability to write about and present complex policies, research, and ideas clearly and concisely.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to public leadership on environmental justice and commitment to city leadership on climate and equity.
• Demonstrated experience tackling complex problems with creative, effective solutions in a fast-paced work environment.
• Willingness to practice accessible, responsive, community-engaged leadership for residents of the City of Boston.
• Highly organized, with the ability to simultaneously handle many tasks, organize complex projects, and meet deadlines.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with the ability to work with diverse interests and backgrounds.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and focus on detail as required by the job.
• Commitment to advancing social justice and equity in the City of Boston to improve the lives of all residents. Knowledge of climate change, with a particular understanding of its connection to racial equity, climate justice, and the resident and community health implications, preferred.
• Experience working with municipalities is preferred