Position: Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings)
Reports to: Manager, Economic Transformation (Decarbonization and the Just Transition)
Employment Type: 12 months, full-time, contract position
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 20, 2022 Closed
Main Purpose and Function
The Vancouver Economic Commission’s mandate is to support the building of a prosperous, inclusive, low-carbon and resilient economy in Vancouver. The Analyst, Economic Transformation (Green Buildings) will work with the Manager of Economic Transformation, responsible for Decarbonization and the Just Transition, to support an VEC’s strategic programs and initiatives in the real estate and construction industries designed to increase economic resilience and circularity while lowering the environmental impact in the local business community.
The Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) is responsible for supporting and coordinating a portfolio of market-facing activities related to decarbonizing the built environment, with a number of concurrent projects that vary by size and complexity. The Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) will support these initiatives with coordination, outreach, logistical, and research and content creation tasks.
This role will primarily be oriented around the implementation of two significant strategic initiatives: the Zero Emissions Economic Transition Action Plan (ZEETAP), and the BC Heat Pump Technology Attraction Strategy (HPTAS). ZEETAP is a soon-to-be-released action plan that will guide VEC’s activities to help decarbonize the Vancouver economy to 2025, and HPTAS is an initiative within that work, in alignment with the BC Building Electrification Road Map (BERM), that will specifically focus on easing supply chain challenges for a key building decarbonization technology: heat pumps.
This role is built around the development of regular opportunities to contribute ideas, solutions, and proposals to strengthen existing and developing initiatives around decarbonization of the built environment and, as such, this new position provides room for growth in the pursuit of personal and professional interests within the scope of the job
Key Contacts and Reporting Relationships
The Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) reports to the Manager, Economic Transformation (Decarbonization and the Just Transition), who is responsible for assigning work to the Analyst; overseeing their day-to-day work; seeking their input and ideas; facilitating issues when escalation is required; and providing ongoing feedback and mentorship.
The Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings)) is expected to work with and support other VEC team members as needed and liaise professionally and respectfully with leadership within VEC and with VEC’s stakeholders.
Performance goals, workplans and work allocation will be reviewed on a regular basis with their manager as approved by the Director, Economic Transformation and Climate Action, and ultimately the CEO. These goals and workplans will be adapted from time to time as business and organizational needs evolve.
In addition to reporting to their line manager, on any given work item the Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) may also report to other leads on the project/initiative to which they are providing services. In these instances, the Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) takes direction concerning initiative decisions from the project/initiative lead and may seek consultation and support from the Manager, Economic Transformation (Decarbonization and the Just Transition).
Duties and Responsibilities
Specific duties will vary as work is allocated, but will most often include:
Coordinating the BC Heat Pump Technology Attraction Strategy
Serving as the coordinator for the BC Heat Pump Technology Attraction Strategy Working group, including work related to:
- Monitoring and tracking on all activities initiated under the Strategy
- Contacting and coordinating with members
- Preparing Working Group materials, including agendas, presentations, facilitation plans, meeting notes, and otherwise
- Coordinating with the Building to Electrification (B2E) Coalition’s Technical Working Group, and attending their meetings on an as-need basis in coordination with the Manager, Economic Transformation
Developing and Supporting Green Buildings Related Events and Programming
Both leading and supporting the development and operation programming, including webinars, roundtables, workshops, presentations, and other digital and/or in-person events related to green buildings and the decarbonization of the built environment;
Example topic areas could include:
- Mechanical equipment and building materials related to building decarbonization and electrification;
- Low, or zero embodied carbon structural and interior materials;
- Standards and certifications for materials and products (e.g., environmental product declarations, CSA certification, EU-based certifications)
- Financial models for achieving high-performance buildings (especially retrofit finance models)
- Integrated low-carbon resilience in the built environment
Both leading and supporting the execution of activities envisioned under the Heat Pump Technology Attraction Strategy, including, but not limited to:
- Delegation visits of Vancouver companies and actors to other markets;
- Delegations and company visits from other markets to Vancouver and BC;
- Interfacing with governments on policy and regulations;
- Market assessments of heat pumps and other building-related technologies in BC and around the world
Research and Writing
- Supporting the execution of research related to green building technologies and materials in BC on an as-needed basis, including, but not limited to, market impact assessments, technology availability studies, and other economic and technical analyses
- Producing internal memos, briefing notes, and reports, as well as public-facing blogs, reports, whitepapers, and otherwise
- Supporting VEC internal Marketing and Research team members on content related to green buildings and building electrification/decarbonization
Minimum Position Requirements
Education and experience
Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) should have the following education and experience.
- A minimum of a Bachelors’ degree in Business Administration, Economics, Urban Studies, Environment, Public Policy, Sustainability, Building Sciences, Architecture, Energy Systems, Engineering or equivalent; A Master’s degree is considered an asset.
- Formal training and experience in project management
- Significant experience in presentations and facilitation
- Ideally a minimum of five years of project and or program delivery (including volunteer and educational experience, such as a master’s degree)
- Experience in green buildings technologies and innovation is considered an asset, but not mandatory
- Sustainability, Green Buildings, and Decarbonization
- Formal training and/or experience related to green buildings, including design, operation, management, and/or financing
- Formal training or experience related to decarbonization, energy, systems, climate change, the circular economy of buildings, and other, sustainability related topics
- Urban Systems, Land-use, and Buildings
- Familiarity with basics of urban development and planning
- Familiarity with basics of built environment (e.g., building code, buildings policies in Vancouver, BC, etc.)
- Superb communication skills
- Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to concurrently manage multiple tasks and competing priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
- Ability to execute on a plan, incorporate feedback, and take responsibility for the success of their portion of the project/initiative
- Detail-oriented and ability to effectively prioritize tasks
- Adaptable and creative
- Able to build and maintain strong working relationships with technical, professional, operational, and senior management staff
- Appetite for learning about a wide variety of economic, local, and progressive topics and tools
VEC recognizes that relevant knowledge and experience can come from many different avenues. Alternative training or expertise will also be considered. If this job sounds like a good fit with your capabilities and passions, you are encouraged to apply!
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Economic Transformation Analyst (Green Buildings) should have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Conditions of Employment
General office hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm and some flexibility is required due to the events-based nature of the work. Some evening and early morning hours may be necessary.
VEC is currently operating in a hybrid remote-office mode; staff are expected to work one to two days a week in the office located on the 5th floor at 555 W 8th Avenue. The building is fully accessible and includes indoor locked bicycle storage and end of trip facilities. The remaining days of the week will be worked from a local remote location and a laptop plus accessories will be provided.
This is a full-time, temporary position with potential for extension and/or conversion to full-time permanent at the discretion of senior management. The contract duration is 12 months.
The salary range is $60,000 to $63,000 for the term, plus applicable taxes, and will be calculated based on skills and experience. Additionally, VEC offers a comprehensive benefits package for temporary and permanent employees which includes our group health and dental insurance and participation in the Municipal Pension Plan.
VEC values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Diversity at VEC means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths.
Application Process
The deadline to apply for this job posting has passed.
Based in the heart of Vancouver, VEC respectfully acknowledges that it is located on the unceded ancestral territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh and Squamish nations.
