Sustainability Specialist

Summary:

At Epsten Group, A Salas O’Brien Company, we pride ourselves on being a pioneer for sustainability in the built environment. Sustainability is in our DNA– it’s the right thing to do for future generations and the legacy we leave behind. We maintain the front-line of sustainability, spreading the word globally and investing locally. We are a Just. Label company with a focus on social equity in how we operate our business, as well as the health and well-being of our employees through our WELL and Fitwel certifications.

Industry pioneers to our core, we push the boundaries by walking many clients through their own firsts. Our services remain flexible to meet the growing demand for a sustainable, healthier future. Our team strives to create a global impact surrounding green initiatives and maintains a company culture that reflects this. We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and equity and have recruited top talent from all over the globe. With office flexibility and a work-life balance, we accommodate individual preferences, believing that freedom, respect, and creativity lead to happiness and prosperity.

We are seeking a full time Sustainability Specialist to provide consulting and technical expertise for projects pursuing LEED BD+C, ID+C, and O+M rating systems; WELL, including WELL Health-Safety and WELL Equity Rating; SITES; GRESB; Parksmart; Living Building Challenge; Fitwel certification; and ESG-related work. We are looking for an energetic, fast learner who is detail oriented to join our growing company based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Requirements

Education and Training Requirements/Preferences:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a field of study related to one or more of the following specialties: Architecture (architecture, construction, landscape architecture, interior design) Engineering (mechanical, civil, structural), Policy, or Environmental Studies
  • Professional accreditation required: LEED AP with specialty, WELL AP, LFA, Fitwel Ambassador; GRESB AP, or similar
  • Two years +/- of direct experience working in a consulting capacity for projects in the building industry
  • Ability to read, understand and interpret building floor plans, sections, site plans, construction specifications, mechanical schedules, commissioning reports, product submittals, and operational policies
  • Detailed technical understanding of and experience with two or more of the following building operations topics: design and construction process, common construction methods, materials specification, fenestration, HVAC systems, plumbing systems, electrical systems, landscape design, master planning, land use, zoning, urban development, life cycle assessment, carbon accounting, social equity programming, basis of design development, owner’s project requirement development
  • Experience or passion for learning about EPDs and LCAs a plus
  • Experience with ISO accreditations a plus

Other Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Passion and commitment to the EGI mission and culture
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including technical writing
  • Ability to clearly explain advanced technical issues in manner that is easily understood
  • Strong interpersonal and customer service skills
  • Strong people-management skills for small teams
  • Strong sense of personal responsibility and accountability for delivering high quality work
  • Ability to work well both independently and in groups
  • Ability to meet project deadlines and celebrate jobs well done
  • Desire to be an integral part of a team effort
  • Excellent judgment, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Detail-oriented and able to prioritize
  • Strong computer skills, with high proficiency in MS Office suite, including Excel
  • Encourage and accelerate global adoption of green business practices through various sustainability standards, tools and performance criteria

About the Sustainability Specialist Role

Essential Functions:

  • Perform in-depth technical review and analyses of building design, construction, and operations for compliance with Sustainability rating systems on time with high quality to gain rating system proficiency with the goal of achieving Senior status within one year.
  • Educate and directly engage the marketplace by effectively communicating through written, verbal, and in-person meetings with project teams and owners
  • Provide technical customer service support to project teams
  • Contribute to the continued development and increased technical knowledge of fellow Specialists through collaborative teamwork
  • Understanding of the building-related sustainability rating system including forms, calculations, and documentation requirements.
  • Opportunity to learn on-the-job about additional rating systems including forms, calculations, documentation requirements, and how to apply the criteria to a project or the review of documentation for verification

Essential Functions After Initial Training Period:

  • Contribute to a project’s pursuit of a sustainability-related certification by working as the Project Manager, guiding the project team through the entire certification process, from Strategic Development through Certification Award, possibly beyond Award for Recertification
  • Complete all necessary forms, annotations, and documentation required to document fulfilment of the rating system requirements, including working with project teams to ensure sustainability measures are being implemented on projects to meet client satisfaction. Note: wherever possible, EGI Project Managers do not rely on the documentation required to demonstrate certification compliance to be completed by other project team members, with obvious exceptions in the form of project drawings, engineering calculations, commissioning documents, or energy models. Expectation for all consulting projects is for EGI employees to complete the documentation while allowing the other project team members to focus on their core roles.
  • Help walk client points-of-contact through additional services, policy documents, and understanding the client’s end goal to direct the rest of your team to meet these goals
  • Perform quality assurance (QA) review of work done by other Specialists
  • Participate in Business Development activities such as networking, speaking engagements, and written content for marketing purposes
  • Track performance metrics and career development goals towards achieving Associate distinction within the company for all eligible employees

Metrics for Success:

  • Meet annual review metrics (quality, efficiency, and timeliness)
  • Achieve customer service satisfaction consistent with department goals
  • Demonstrate professional growth by advancing foundational and leadership competencies
  • Cultivate relationships with clients for repeat business
  • Adopt EGI culture and work well with other team members
  • Strong understanding of relevant consulting activities or rating systems

Travel Requirements:

  • 10-20%

The Epsten Group, a Salas O’Brien Company, offers employees a comprehensive benefits package with competitive salaries and more including:

    • LEED Gold, WELL Platinum, Fitwel 2 Stars, LBC Petal Certification, WELL Health-Safety, WELL Equity, Just. Label, and RESET Air certified office space on the 26th floor of a building with free gym access, secure bike parking, amenities floor, coffee shop, restaurant, and a multitude of local amenities within 1/4-mile walking distance which includes two mass-transit stations
    • Twice-Yearly Profit Sharing
    • Employee-owned company with option to buy shares
    • Medical/Dental/Vision and Pet Insurance
    • 401(k) with Safe Harbor match
    • HSA/FSA/Dependent Care FSA
    • Short-term and Long-term Disability
    • Parental Leave
    • 10 days annually for Holidays
    • 4 weeks annually for Vacation (5 weeks after 15 years)
    • 5 days of Sick Leave
    • Certifications office closed Christmas Eve through New Years Day
    • 1 day annually for Altruistic activities
    • Flexible schedule, including option for 4/80 or other
    • Summer Fridays – option to complete heads-down work or take PTO
    • Remote work possible or hybrid if near Atlanta Office with option to work remotely fulltime after 5 years
    • Stipend for alternative commuting
    • Stipend for wellness activities, such as gym or yoga memberships, weight loss programs, competitive races, etc.
    • Wellness activities included in work schedule, such as group yoga, hiking, mental health programming, ergonomics training, and more
    • Quarterly Town Hall Meetings included in work schedule and off-site
    • Group meditation sessions every Wednesday
    • Company-sponsored social events
    • Annual stipend for professional organization memberships, conferences, etc.
    • Continuing education opportunities
    • Mentorship Program
    • Employee Impact Groups

To apply, click here.