Energy Engineers - 17-2199.03

Design, develop, or evaluate energy-related projects or programs to reduce energy costs or improve energy efficiency during the designing, building, or remodeling stages of construction. May specialize in electrical systems; heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems; green buildings; lighting; air quality; or energy procurement.

Sample of reported job titles: Distributed Generation Project Manager, Energy Efficiency Engineer, Energy Engineer, Energy Manager, Environmental Solutions Engineer, Industrial Energy Engineer, Measurement And Verification Engineer, Project Engineering Director, Resource Efficiency Manager, Test and Balance Engineer

Tasks

• Identify and recommend energy savings strategies to achieve more energy-efficient operation.
• Conduct energy audits to evaluate energy use and to identify conservation and cost reduction measures.
• Monitor and analyze energy consumption.
• Monitor energy related design or construction issues, such as energy engineering, energy management, or sustainable design.
• Inspect or monitor energy systems, including heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) or daylighting systems to determine energy use or potential energy savings.
• Advise clients or colleagues on topics such as climate control systems, energy modeling, data logging, sustainable design, or energy auditing.
• Analyze, interpret, or create graphical representations of energy data, using engineering software.
• Verify energy bills and meter readings.
• Collect data for energy conservation analyses, using jobsite observation, field inspections, or sub-metering.
• Manage the development, design, or construction of energy conservation projects to ensure acceptability of budgets and time lines, conformance to federal and state laws, or adherence to approved specifications.
• Perform energy modeling, measurement, verification, commissioning, or retro-commissioning.
• Review architectural, mechanical, or electrical plans or specifications to evaluate energy efficiency.
• Prepare energy-related project reports or related documentation.
• Review or negotiate energy purchase agreements.
• Train personnel or clients on topics such as energy management.
• Direct the implementation of energy management projects.
• Research renewable or alternative energy systems or technologies, such as solar thermal or photovoltaic energy.
• Promote awareness or use of alternative or renewable energy sources.
• Write or install energy management routines for building automation systems.
• Recommend best fuel for specific sites or circumstances.

Technology Skills

• Analytical or scientific software - Architectural Energy Corporation ENFORMA Building Diagnostics; Stellar Processes EZ Sim; The MathWorks MATLAB ; Trane System Analyzer (see all 32 examples)
• Computer aided design CAD software - Autodesk AutoCAD ; Home Energy Efficient Design HEED
• Data base user interface and query software - Microsoft Access
• Graphics or photo imaging software - Microsoft Visio
• Office suite software - Microsoft Office
• Presentation software - Microsoft PowerPoint
• Project management software - Microsoft Project
• Spreadsheet software - Microsoft Excel
• Word processing software - Microsoft Word

Tools Used

• Air velocity and temperature monitors - Air current testers; Draft gauges
• Catalytic combustion analyzers - Heating system combustion analyzers
• Desktop computers
• Handheld thermometer - Handheld digital thermometers
• Heat tracing equipment - Digital infrared thermometers
• Infrared imagers - Infrared cameras
• Leak testing equipment - Blower doors
• Multimeters - Digital multimeters
• Notebook computers - Laptop computers
• Personal computers
• Portable data input terminals - Dataloggers

Knowledge

• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
• Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
• Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub- atomic structures and processes.
• Economics and Accounting - Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Skills

• Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
• Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
• Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
• Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
• Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
• Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
• Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
• Mathematics - Using mathematics to solve problems.
• Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
• Science - Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
• Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
• Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
• Operations Analysis - Analyzing needs and product requirements to create a design.
• Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
• Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
• Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
• Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
• Persuasion - Persuading others to change their minds or behavior.
• Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people.

Abilities

• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Mathematical Reasoning - The ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
• Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Category Flexibility - The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
• Fluency of Ideas - The ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
• Number Facility - The ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
• Originality - The ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
• Selective Attention - The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
• Visualization - The ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
• Far Vision - The ability to see details at a distance.
• Flexibility of Closure - The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

Interests

• Interest code: IR
  • Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
  • Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Work Context

• Electronic Mail - 95% responded “Every day.”
• Telephone - 73% responded “Every day.”
• Indoors, Environmentally Controlled - 62% responded “Every day.”
• Face-to-Face Discussions - 55% responded “Every day.”
• Contact With Others - 55% responded “Contact with others most of the time.”
• Duration of Typical Work Week - 62% responded “More than 40 hours.”
• Work With Work Group or Team - 59% responded “Very important.”
• Freedom to Make Decisions - 64% responded “Some freedom.”
• Structured versus Unstructured Work - 68% responded “Some freedom.”
• Importance of Being Exact or Accurate - 50% responded “Very important.”
• Responsibility for Outcomes and Results - 48% responded “High responsibility.”
• Deal With External Customers - 41% responded “Very important.”
• Spend Time Sitting - 45% responded “About half the time.”
• Coordinate or Lead Others - 38% responded “Important.”
• Frequency of Decision Making - 50% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results - 41% responded “Important results.”
• Letters and Memos - 45% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Responsible for Others' Health and Safety - 29% responded “High responsibility.”
• Time Pressure - 59% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”
• Level of Competition - 41% responded “Moderately competitive.”
• Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled - 62% responded “Once a month or more but not every week.”

Education

Percentage of Respondents	Education Level Required
50%	Bachelor's degree
14%	Post-baccalaureate certificate
14%	Master's degree

Work Styles

• Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
• Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
• Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
• Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
• Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
• Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
• Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
• Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
• Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
• Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
• Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
• Self Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
• Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
• Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.

Work Values

• Working Conditions - Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
• Achievement - Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
• Independence - Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Wages & Trends

• Median wages (2017)
  • $46.75 hourly, $97,250 annual
• Employment (2016)
  • 133,000 employees
• Projected growth (2016-2026)
  • Average (5% to 9%)
• Projected job openings (2016-2026)
  • 9,500