- Green Builder® Coalition Participates in ICC Final Action Hearings
- Scott Palmer, Coalition Board Member, a Finalist for Leadership Award
- Upcoming Industry Events
- Impact Series
- As I Am… Bill Beasley
- Job Opportunities
- Train of Thought
Activities
Green Builder® Coalition Participates in ICC Final Action Hearings
Executive Director Mike Collignon and Advocacy Director Bill Fay attended the International Energy Conservation Code – Residential (IECC-R) final action hearings in early October. Based on the guidance of our membership, the Green Builder® Coalition took a stance on the following proposals at the ICC Final Action Hearings. Accompanying those positions are the voting results:
| Proposal | Member Position | Hearing Result |
| RE166 (Mech. Equip. Tradeoff) | Oppose | Disapproved |
| RE186 (Builder Flex Points) | Support | Disapproved |
| RE188 (ERI proposal) | Support | Approved |
| RB190 (Reinforced masonry foundations in zone A) | Support | Disapproved |
A candid recap of the RE166 and RE188 debates, authored by Bill Fay and Mike Collignon, can be found on the Green Builder® Magazine site.
Awards
Scott Palmer, Coalition Board Member, a Finalist for Leadership Award
Portland Cement Association (PCA) recognized Scott Palmer as a finalist for the 2013 John P. Gleason, Jr., Leadership Award.
Presented at PCA’s annual fall committee meeting, the awards honor employees of PCA member companies who have exhibited industry leadership by taking PCA in new directions. Palmer was honored in the Market Development category.
Palmer, Manager of Market Development for Salt River Materials Group, Scottsdale, Ariz., has been a tireless champion for concrete wall systems for single-family homes. Most recently, he has spearheaded work with Meritage Homes to value-engineer the HercuWall system. As a result, for the first time ever a national homebuilder is offering a concrete wall system for the same price as wood.
In addition to the Meritage Partnership, Scott worked with Habitat for Humanity to build the Greenbuild Demonstration Home featured at the 2009 Greenbuild Convention; co-founded the Smart Home Alliance to promote sustainable, energy-efficient residential construction with concrete; has partnered with other local affiliates to construct another demonstration home in Sedona, AZ; and is a founding board member of the Green Builder® Coalition. Palmer is currently the co-chair of PCA’s Sustainable Development Committee and former co-chair of the Residential Committee.
The award is named after John P. “Jay” Gleason, Jr., who served as PCA president from 1986 until his retirement in 2007. Gleason was known for his consensus building among both members and allies and for his strong leadership skills.
Green Builder® Coalition Executive Director Mike Collignon added, “Knowing the work ethic Scott possesses, this honor doesn’t surprise me at all. He has been a huge asset to our Board for the past 3 years. I also had the privilege of working under Jay Gleason’s leadership. Anytime you can get your name associated with Jay’s, you’re doing really well.”
Upcoming Industry Events
2013 Built Green Conference
The primary focus of this annual event is to educate the local and regional building industry on quality green-building practices, products and projects and to inspire groups to build sustainable communities. Produced by the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, it is held at The Brightwater Environmental and Education Center in Woodinville, WA on November 6, 2013. For more information, please click here.
The Smarter Home/Building Owner’s Manuals webinar
Need help with home/building owner’s manuals? HomeNav® offers a “done-for-you” software and service solution to meet the National Green Building Standard’s Chapter 10 requirements with its online home/building owner’s manuals. On Tuesday, November 12th at 11am CT, learn how HomeNav can simplify your green home certifications with home/building owner’s manuals and documentation. For more information and to register for this free webinar, please click here.
Sustainable Disaster Recovery Conference
The 2013 Sustainable Disaster Recovery Conference brings together experts from many different fields to explore and advance ideas, efforts and innovations in sustainable disaster planning, response and recovery. Hosted by the Saint Louis University Center for Sustainability, Greensburg GreenTown, and GreenTown Joplin, the 2nd annual event will be held on the campus of St. Louis University November 14-15, 2013. For more information, please click here.
Federal Alliance for Safe Homes (FLASH) Conference
This annual gathering of the Mitigation Movement’s thought leaders, policy makers and subject matter experts will take place November 20 – 22 at the Walt Disney World Swan Hotel in Lake Buena Vista, FL. Attendees will explore best practices, lessons learned and innovations from leaders of the movement. For more information, please click here.
Greenbuild International Conference & Expo
Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and expo dedicated to green building. It brings together industry leaders, experts and frontline professionals dedicated to sustainable building in their everyday work. This year’s conference will be held in Philadelphia, PA during November 20 – 22. For more information, please click here.
International Builders’ Show/Kitchen & Bath Show
IBS and KBIS are combining shows for the first time. It is being billed as “the largest annual gathering of residential construction and design professionals”. The conference and exhibit will take place February 4 – 6, 2014 in Las Vegas, NV. Registration opens September 3rd. For more information, please click here.
Impact Series
The next edition of the Impact Series will take place on Tuesday, December 10th. The guest will be the widely renowned Bill McKibben, environmental activist and author of “The End of Nature”. He has been leading the fight against global warming since he wrote the first book for a general audience on the subject in 1989. Bill thoroughly understands that taking on the climate crisis is going to take more than a few good books—it’s going to take a movement—so he founded 350.org, an international climate campaign that works in 188 countries around the world. Join us on December 10th for a lively and candid conversation with McKibben about the realities of a changing climate and solutions for a sustainable future. The webinar starts at 1pm CT. To register for free, please click here.
For past webinars, you can visit the archives at: http://www.greenbuildermag.com/ImpactSeries/Archive
Bill Beasley
Each issue, we’ll sit down with a green building professional to gain a personal insight into their motivations, inspirations and experiences. This issue, we feature Bill Beasley, custom homebuilder.
The Torch: What motivated you to enter the sustainability industry?
Bill Beasley: I fell into the chasm of sustainability by happenstance. I retired from the telecom industry in 2004 to build myself a house. I knew enough about building to be dangerous, but wanted to quickly accelerate my knowledge and industry networking, so I joined the local Home Builders Association. I quickly found myself associating with a small subset of builders who were questioning why homes were built the way they always have been. It was that consistent questioning of the norm that formed the basis of the Green Home Builders of the Triangle, a council of the HBA, and their green home certification program.
TT: Describe your first green project. Did you encounter any hurdles on that first project? (If yes, how did you overcome them?)
BB: That’s a tough one. Because every project is a first green project. For one, as a custom builder, each project presents a new set of challenges and goals. Location, topology, orientation, local building codes, client’s objectives and budget all impact the house’s systems. Secondly, green building is all about evolution in how we do things. The Kaizen system of continuous improvement offered by Deming to Japanese companies post-WWII reflects the same process we all should be using in our businesses: Plan (design & specifications), Do (build), Check (measure what we did), Action (change our procedures based on the measurement). Then repeat and repeat again… We encounter hurdles on every project. The goal, however, is to not face that same hurdle again. Continuous improvement.
TT: What building product or technique do you think will be the next “game changer”?
BB: No game changers, only incremental improvement. The embedded base of homes and wide diversity of industry professionals will prevent any radical disruptors from being adopted. If there ever will be a game changer, it will not be any product or technique, but instead mandated policy & code change including inspection and measurement. Waiting for consumers to care, understand and demand for improved home performance is too much to ask. Require better built homes, enforce it, and penalize both consumer and builder who do not follow.
TT: Who inspires you the most?
BB: My children. Their untainted viewpoint of the world we live in brings a simplistic, matter-of-fact perspective on how things are (or should be). When they ask “why”, I typically respond with a laughable over complicated interrelated reason. They have the amazing ability to break the complicated into simple right and wrong. My kids motivate me to do the same and to take action versus stagnation.
TT: If you had it to do over again, what profession would you choose?
BB: I would follow exactly the same path. No regrets.
TT: What do you enjoy the most when you’re not at work?
BB: Ha! That is funny. I am always at work. Sustainability and how to improve what I do is always at the forefront of my mind. I am constantly analyzing other systems and extrapolating how they could be used in the home building world. Now with that said, I do enjoy sailing. I admire the parallels of sailing with Green Building: wind powered, low emissions, low environmental impact, energy efficient, well designed space for maximum utilization, geothermal refrigeration, and so on. Cannot beat it!
TT: What’s the most important piece of advice you’d like to pass along to others?
BB: Measure what you do, and strive to improve.
Job Opportunities
Below you will find job postings for green collar jobs around the country.
If you have a job opening you’d like to list here, please contact the Green Builder® Coalition at info@greenbuildercoalition.org.
CLEAResult (www.clearesult.com), an energy-optimization firm that designs and implements programs to help utilities manage load growth by helping customers identify energy-savings opportunities and implement energy-efficiency improvements, is currently hiring energy-efficiency engineers, consultants, analysts and coordinators. All positions are full-time with full benefits. Candidates should have experience conducting energy audits, identifying energy-efficiency opportunities, using energy-modeling tools, performing energy-savings calculations, and/or developing measurement & verification (M&V) plans. P.E. and/or C.E.M. certification is preferred but not required. To view these listings, please click here.
At press time, they had 12 jobs in the following cities:
Austin, TX (4)
New Orleans, LA (1)
Fayetteville, AR (1)
Lansing, MI (1)
East Lansing, MI (2)
Fairfax, VA (1)
El Paso, TX (1)
Half Moon Bay, CA (1)
CLEAResult is an energy-optimization firm that develops and implements energy-efficiency programs on behalf of utility companies across the country. Our programs are designed to help utilities manage load growth and meet legislative requirements by identifying energy-savings opportunities and implementing energy-efficiency improvements. CLEAResult is ranked on Inc. Magazine’s list of the 500 fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. for the second year in a row.
If you are interested in any of the above job openings, please contact:
James Hatheway
Recruiter
(512) 259-2383
Or apply via this website: www.clearesult.com
The Institute for Market Transformation is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. The prevailing focus of IMT’s work is energy efficiency in buildings. Our activities include technical and market research, policy and program development, and promotion of best practices and knowledge exchange. All our work involves many collaborators and targets a broad range of stakeholders in both the public and private sectors.
They are looking for a new part-time Development Director to join our team of experts and dedicated professionals promoting energy efficiency, green building, and environmental protection in the United States and abroad. The Development Director will design and implement a multifaceted development program that robustly supports our mission to promote energy efficiency in buildings. The Development Director’s primary responsibilities include: crafting the organization’s development agenda and materials; forging and strengthening relationships with the foundation community; researching and writing grant proposals and reports; building an effective major donor campaign; and expanding IMT’s donor base to increase our visibility, impact, and financial resources.
The successful candidate will be an experienced development professional with 5-7 years of fundraising experience in a nonprofit organization and a demonstrated record of success growing revenues from both foundations and individual donors. Exceptional writing and oral communication skills are essential, as is the ability to manage and meet multiple deadlines simultaneously. The ideal candidate will have a strong knowledge of environmental and/or energy efficiency issues and their associated funding communities. Experience with fundraising in an international context is also preferred.
The salary is commensurate with qualifications. To apply, please email a resume, cover letter, and salary requirements to jobs@imt.org. Please write “Development Director” in the subject line. IMT is an equal opportunity employer.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) currently has 80 jobs listed on their site. Please note the closing date on the position prior to applying. Most are located in their home state of Washington, though there is 1 posted position in each of the following locations: College Park, MD and Slavutych, Ukraine. If you have any interest in these highly scientific roles, please visit their career site by clicking here.
The Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (MEEA; www.mwalliance.org) is a collaborative network advancing energy efficiency in the Midwest to support sustainable economic development and environmental preservation. They have 2 job openings:
#1: Program Training Manager: The Program Training Manager will manage MEEA’s local, state and regional building energy efficiency initiatives while expanding program offerings, increasing program success and serving under the direction of the Director of Programs. This position will supervise programming staff, provide guidance and expertise to MEEA team members, engage in outreach to a variety of program partners and key stakeholders and strategize to expand and improve upon current program offerings.
Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) with 4-6 years’ experience in program development/management and/or training. To view the full listing, please click here.
The compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience. MEEA is an equal opportunity employer. MEEA’s office is in Chicago, in a LEED Gold space in the Civic Opera Building in the Loop.
Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jobs@mwalliance.org with the subject line: Training Manager. Applicants must submit all three items or they will not be considered. Candidates considered for interviews will be asked to provide writing samples and three references.
#2: Membership Manager: The Membership Manager works under the direction of the Deputy Director to oversee MEEA’s membership program. In addition to membership responsibilities, the Manager will have a role in MEEAs internal and external marketing and brand development and assist with MEEA events, including the Midwest Energy Solutions Conference and Annual Meeting of the Membership.
Candidate must have a Bachelor’s degree with at least at least 4-6 years’ experience in a non-profit setting or for a for-profit business in a membership, sales or customer service. To view the full listing, please click here.
The compensation for this position will be commensurate with experience. MEEA is an equal opportunity employer. MEEA’s office is in Chicago, in a LEED Gold space in the Civic Opera Building in the Loop.
Submit cover letter, resume and salary requirements to jobs@mwalliance.org with the subject line: Attn: Membership Manager Search. Applicants must submit all three items. Candidates considered for interviews will be asked to provide writing samples and references.
Southern Energy Management (SEM), the Southeast’s leading provider of sustainable energy solutions, is seeking a full-time Building Performance Technician, Solar PV Technician and Bookkeeper to join their Building Performance team.
The full-time Building Performance Technician will be based out of the Morrisville, NC office, but serve the Fayetteville/Southern Pines market. However, the majority of the Technician’s work days will begin from the Building Performance Technician’s home address. The Building Performance Technician supports the day-to-day goals of the company through efficient fulfillment of contracted work via effective team coordination and streamlined communication of actionable information. A Building Performance Technician is expected to assist and lead in the collection of field data for residential new and existing single family and multifamily housing. Included in the collection of field data are visual inspections and performance testing. Visual inspections include the inspection in new housing for HERS Ratings, ENERGY STAR compliance, and inspection in new housing for various Green Building certifications programs including: NAHB Green Building Certification Program, LEED for Homes, Water Sense and Earth Craft. Performance Testing includes but is not limited to the testing of whole building leakage, HVAC duct system leakage, exhaust fan flows, room pressures, and HVAC flow testing. Having the HERS Rater and/or BPI Building Analyst Professional designation is definitely preferred, but is not required. To view the full listing, please click here.
The Solar PV Technician position will be responsible for the installation of photovoltaic systems. Roofing experience is required. The Solar PV Technician will work with SEM’s fast-growing Solar Operations team. Skills & qualifications include knowledge of NEC standards and practices, PV technology and installation. This job does not include any benefits. To view the listing, please click here.
The Bookkeeper position is responsible for providing a range of general clerical and accounting functions in support of the Accounting Team. Essential duties and responsibilities of the role include:
• Accounts Payable, including verification of purchase orders to invoices, processing bills for payment, preparing payments for signature, verification of account statements, analyzing discrepancies, and weekly reporting.
• Accounts Receivable, including preparing customer invoices, posting incoming payments, preparing and coordinating deposit activities, establishing and monitoring customer accounts for credit worthiness, and collection of past due balances.
• General support, including performing all necessary account, bank, and other reconciliations, track and audit petty cash, assist with employee expense reimbursements, and liaise with other departments/customers/vendors.
• Assume responsibility for effectively researching, tracking, and resolving accounting or documentation problems and discrepancies.
• Maintain files, including filing of general ledger journal vouchers, accounts payable documentation, and other miscellaneous filings.
• Serve as back up for providing front desk customer service.
Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP; www.neep.org) is a regional nonprofit organization founded in 1996. Their mission is to promote the efficient use of energy in homes, buildings and industry in the Northeast U.S. Their work results in regionally coordinated programs and policies that increase the use of energy efficient products, services and practices. This helps achieve a cleaner environment and a more reliable and affordable energy system.
They are seeking a full-time High Performance Building Associate to work as an integral member of the organization’s team that seeks to reduce energy use in homes and buildings through public policy and best practices in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
The High Performance Building Associate is part of a team reporting to the Senior Program Manager, High Performance Buildings, and, ultimately, to the Director of Public Policy. This position will be primarily responsible for helping to create policies and programs to promote operational energy savings in new and retrofitted buildings throughout the region.
Candidates must have a B.A. or B.S. in environmental policy, science or urban planning. Conceptual understanding of high performance building standards and strong analytical and problem-solving skills are desired. Valid driver’s license is required, as the position will travel within the region approximately 20% of the time. To view the full listing, please click here.
NEEP is committed to an organizational culture of inclusion, diversity and equity. We are committed to a policy of non-discrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, and physical or mental disability.
To apply, please email a resume, along with a cover letter stating where you saw this posting and outlining your interest in NEEP’s mission, to Bob McTighe at: bmctighe@neep.org. No phone calls please.
The Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance (NEEA) is an alliance of more than 100 Northwest utilities and energy efficiency organizations working on behalf of more than 12 million energy consumers. They are looking to fill 2 job openings:
#1: Program Manager, Residential/Mass Markets: The Program Manager is the business manager of one or more market transformation initiatives that transform markets for energy efficient products, services and practices. The PM is responsible for assuring the overall planning, resourcing and execution of assigned Market Transformation initiatives. The Program Manager coordinates and leads cross-functional team efforts to advance and implement Market Transformation initiatives and is accountable to deliver the associated business results.
A minimum of 7 years of experience managing complex programs in a team environment is desired. New product development experience is a plus. A BA/BS Degree with major course work in business, economics or engineering; MBA or related degree is also a plus. The position is based in Portland, OR. To view the full job listing, please click here.
#2: Competitive Intelligence and Data Services Manager: The Competitive Intelligence and Data Services Manager is a highly visible position overseeing all facets of market and product data management from establishing data definition and specifications, through sourcing and collection, and reporting. Proactive coordination with NEEA funders and staff and key regional stakeholders to understand needs and requirements, as well as outreach to other regional, state and/or federal organizations to influence and leverage access to data is critical for success.
A minimum of 7 years’ progressive business experience is required, including experience in an analytic/data analysis environment, direct collection, management and analysis of data and information, and facilitating data needs requirements for diverse stakeholders. They also seek candidates who possess a bachelor’s degree, preferably in Marketing, Market or Marketing Research, or Economics. An MBA or other advanced degree is preferred. To view the full listing, please click here.
NEEA is an equal opportunity employer. They offer pre-tax transportation benefits, professional development funds, a generous healthcare package, and retirement savings with employer matching. They also offer a flexible 9/80 schedule to help their employees achieve a better work-life balance.
Any listing above does not constitute an endorsement by the Green Builder® Coalition. We do not have any professional or financial stake in the preceding information. Rather, we provide this solely for the benefit of those seeking employment.
Voices
Train of Thought
Lending a Hand
Recently, I found myself in the light bulb section of the hardware store with my father. As I was trying to find the specific light tone my wife and I have compromised on, he reached for the discount, clearance bulbs. “You can’t beat a quarter a piece,” he said. “That’s one way of looking at it,” I replied. We then proceeded to discuss the total cost of lighting. Since he is recently retired, I felt it was important to review the total financial ramification of his choice.
As we spoke about utility cost, retail price, light tone and heat output, I noticed a woman also standing in the aisle trying to listen to our conversation without blatantly eavesdropping. Her “cover was blown” when she laughed at one of my father’s comments. But that opened the door to include her in the conversation. We spent the next 5 minutes talking with her about the spectrum of available lighting choices and her specific applications. (I made sure to state that I didn’t represent any lighting manufacturer or the hardware store.) After we got done, she thanked us for the time and knowledge, as it proved really helpful for her. We later crossed paths with her again, and I asked her what she chose. After another brief conversation, I was able to point out that one of her choices wasn’t going to accomplish what she intended, and she was again appreciative of our comments.
The tale above does not represent typical behavior for me. I usually let strangers in a store be… strangers in a store. I don’t know their specific preferences or situation in life. But in this instance, she was not-so-secretly looking for information/guidance, and I was in a position to assist.
This experience got me thinking. With the combination of my knowledge base and my little area of the world not having a reputation as a “green stronghold”, maybe I should take more of an initiative in certain situations. And that sentiment is not unique to me; it probably applies to a lot of the readers of this newsletter. I’m sure it might not always be well-received by said strangers, but the good will most likely outweigh the bad, and for some of you, it might lead to a new customer… or a new acquaintance. It’s a small act, but little by little, we can cumulatively make a big difference for our planet.
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