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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-18-2005-9dORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 18, 2005 Action Agenda Item No. 9_d SUBJECT: Proposed Energy Conservation Manager Appointment DEPARTMENT: Manager's Office/Personnel PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Energy Conservation Manager John Link, County Manager, Description 919-245-2300 Elaine Holmes, Personnel Director 919-245-2550 PURPOSE: To consider authorizing the appointment of a County employee to serve as Energy Cohservation Manager to provide leadership, analytical, monitoring, coordination and communication support to the County's energy and water conservation initiative, BACKGROUND: The County is in the process of developing an energy and water conservation initiative to address the need to reduce consumption in County government and improve energy efficiency both as a cost savings measure and to protect the environment, Once fully developed, this initiative will include plans, policies, organization, communications, incentives, data bases, performance measures, monitoring programs and the like in support of the County's conservation goals. Energy Conservation Manager As an initial element to assist in moving forward on this conservation initiative, the Manager proposes appointment of an Energy Conservation Manager, as outlined here, 1. Overview In summary, the plan is to recruit from among the County permanent employee workforce to seek an existing employee committed to energy conservation and qualified to perform the energy conservation duties, The arrangement would be as follows: • In addition to the employee's current position, he or she would assume the energy conservation manager duties. In terms of these energy conservation responsibilities, the employee would report to and receive direction from the County Manager. The appointment would require that the employee work an additional 10 to 15 hours each week, including evening and weekend work, For these additional hours, the employee would receive additional compensation. If the County successfully identifies a current employee qualified and willing to undertake this assignment, it will make the appointment as soon as possible in order to provide staff support to move forward more quickly on this initiative. • After one year, the County would evaluate the status of the energy conservation initiative, the effectiveness of this staffing approach and consider whether to continue this staffing arrangement or pursue other alternatives, 2. Functions The attachment list possible functions for the Energy Conservation Manager. It incorporates feedback from the County's Energy Conservation Task Group. 3. Recruitment and Selection Process With the Board's approval of the Energy Conservation Manager staffing plan, staff will distribute an announcement of the availability of the Energy Conservation Manager appointment and seek applications from interested employees. An assessment panel made up of the County Manager, Commissioner Steve Halkiotis, and the Personnel Director will interview and assess the candidates, 4. Compensation The compensation for the employee selected will be specifically negotiated with that employee, taking account of such factors as whether the employee is exempt or non-exempt under Federal Wage and Hour regulations, the employee's present job and salary, related experience, likely time commitment and the like. With approval of the Energy Conservation Manager appointment as outlined here, the Board would be authorizing the County Manager to negotiate and implement this compensation, not to exceed the total additional annual cost of $15,000. Next Steps With the Board's approval of the proposed Energy Conservation Manager, staff will announce this opportunity to County staff, receive applications and convene the assessment panel to interview employee candidates, At the same time, the Manager's Energy Conservation Task Group will be moving forward with development of a proposed County energy conservation policy to be presented to the Board of County Commissioners at the Board's November 2, 2005 meeting. FINANCIAL- IMPACT: The estimated additional annual cost of the Energy Conservation Manager appointment is up to $15,000 (including cost for retirement and social security contributions), It is proposed that this be funded from currently budgeted funds in the Governing and Management function of the current year budget. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board: 1. Provide direction, as desired, on the possible functions for the Energy Conservation Manager. 2, Authorize the appointment of a County employee as Energy Conservation Manager and authorize the Manager to establish that employee's additional compensation, not to exceed a total additional cost of $15,000, Attachment -Draft- Energy Conservation Manager Purpose: To provide leadership, analytical, monitoring, coordination and communication support to Orange County's energy and water conservation plans and programs, Reports to the County Manager. Major Functions: 1, Tracks and assesses the County's energy and water conservation performance and progress. Builds data collection and analytical tools to accomplish this, For example, analyzes monthly energy use data such as power bills, fuel oil bills and the like. Compares to degree days (to normalize far demand) and tracks the County's energy performance by building, 2, Working through the departments involved, identifies and appoints a volunteer building energy representative for each County facility to monitor compliance during normal business hours with energy conservation policies and standards such as those for heating and air conditioning thermostat settings and provide a resource to the building occupants about policies and expectations. Orients the energy representatives in their functions. 3, Convenes and coordinates the work of the County's Energy Conservation Task Group, 4. Works with the Manager and involved departments, to develop the County's organizational structure and assigned responsibilities for energy conservation, such as designated responsibilities of employees, operating departments, Public Works, County Engineer and others. 5. Coordinates the development of recommended County energy policy through discussion and collaboration with the County's Energy Conservation Task Group. 6. Plans and coordinates education and communication with departments and employees about the energy conservation program. For example, assures policies are adequately communicated, presents energy conservation information in the County's New Employee Orientation program or the like. 7, Conducts spot check after normal business hours energy audits to assess the County's adherence to policies and standards. Maintains awareness of what is the state of the art in energy and water conservation through on-going research such as monitoring web sites and contacts with the State Energy Office. Researches, analyzes and reports on energy conservation concepts and ideas that might yield passible savings or efficiencies, For example, evaluates possible use of photovoltaic lighting to generate lighting from solar energy. In this, analyzes the pros and cons including any required capital investment, operating life cycle and, aver the operating life cycle, expected savings or efficiencies as compared to other alternatives. As another example, facilitates a review with Public Works and others involved of the possible use of geothermal 5 energy. 10. As needed, provides liaison with utility companies, building design professionals and others whose work impacts the County's energy conservation program. 11. Develops awareness in the community of the County's energy conservation efforts, such as through presentations to civic groups 12. Periodically reports to the Board of Commissioners on energy conservation activities and results. 13.Other duties as assigned. Knowledge and Skill Requirements: Strong interest in and commitment to energy conservation Computer skills including Microsoft Ward, Excel and Access Knowledge/understanding of energy measures such as BTUs, amperage, volts and degree- days Knowledge of building systems and construction techniques sufficient to assist in evaluating energy conservation opticns Knowledge of Orange County government Good writing and speaking communication skills, including ability to make presentations Management, negotiating and interpersonal skills necessary to accomplish the work, including effective working relationships with employees and department heads Hours Required: Requires about 10 to 15 each workweek, including evening and weekend work Draft October 6, 2005