Residential Energy Auditor – Job Information
There are three primary career paths for people entering the energy conservation field:
- Becoming an independent contractor to organizations doing housing rehab and weatherization or utility companies offering residential audits
- Going to work for a utility or organization providing direct services in house
- Adding energy conservation services to an existing business
All paths present the age old challenge of requiring training and experience. Getting the training is the easy part. Getting enough experience to become expert is more difficult.
Becoming an independent contractor involves considerable start up costs for test equipment, service vehicle, and software and computer equipment to handle generating reports and billing customers.
Dunwoody can help with the basic training and certification. You are going to have to research the opportunities, form linkages with organizations working in the energy field (MN Building Performance Association), and seek apprenticeships to gain the experience necessary to become saleable.
Dunwoody hopes to offer more advanced training in the not too distant future.
Get some training, follow the stimulus money and economic incentives, and stay abreast of developing interest areas. Global warming, shrinking energy supplies, and rising energy costs will open new opportunities we may not even know about yet.
Organizations like Resnet, BPI and CMC Energy Services provide certification and training in various aspects of building science. The Association of Energy Engineers provides training in commercial building analysis and energy management. There are four year degree programs in building science and engineering programs at major universities.
Community Action Programs provide weatherization services to income qualified families. Non-profit housing organizations are improving energy performance as an integral part of rehab and new construction. Organizations like the Minnesota Center for Energy and the Environment, the Green Institute, Energy and Environment Builders Association and Clean Energy Resource Teams are doing community education, organizing, and advocacy. Auditing positions with these agencies are paying $13 - 17/hour.
Robin Ryan’s book, 60 Seconds and You’re Hired, is an easy read and provides excellent guidance on doing a job search and marketing your skills.
Job Descriptions (pdf file)
List of Utilities
Agency Directory (pdf file)
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