Position Title: Building Science Field Technician
Department: Building Services Department
Reports to: Senior Technical Advisor
FLSA Classification & Position Type: Non-exempt / Part Time / Hourly
Supervisory Position: Non-supervisory
Location: Richmond, VA
Position Summary
Viridiant is a non-profit environmental organization that works to advance sustainable, affordable, and energy efficient construction. The Building Science Field Technician will provide technical assistance to participating builders and developers during design and in the field throughout construction.
Essential Functions
Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, knowledge, skills and other characteristics. This list of tasks is illustrative ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by positions in this class. It does not imply that all positions within the class perform all the duties listed, nor does it necessarily list all possible duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Performs field construction inspections, including code compliance testing under the oversight of a Technical Advisor or Senior Technical Advisor
· Assists with collecting documentation and verifying green building program measures for programs such as EarthCraft, ENERGY STAR, Enterprise, NGBS, and Zero Energy Ready Home.
· Assists Technical Advisors or Senior Technical Advisors
· Performs diagnostic testing such as blower door, duct blaster, and ventilation flow rates.
· With the guidance of a Technical Advisor or Senior Technical Advisor, provides construction technical assistance and guidance to builders and developers.
· Completes administrative tasks including data entry, scheduling, and site visit reports.
Performs additional responsibilities related to the success of the organization.
Job Requirements and Qualifications (education and experience)
· Minimum High School diploma; some college preferred.
· Experience in the construction industry preferred
· Experience in the construction industry preferred
· Ability to read plans preferred.
· Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
· Organized and able to prioritize tasks with minimal direction.
· Enthusiastic about educating builders on Viridiant’s services and encouraging builder participation in programs.
· A sense of urgency is a must.
· Skilled with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook, as well as experience with CRM software (e.g., Salesforce.com) or related area; able to readily learn new software programs, use company laptop and ipad
· Valid driver’s license.
· Promotes and adheres to organization’s mission, vision and values, policies and applicable laws in a fair and equitable manner
Work Environment, Travel and Expected Work Hours
This position is performed in the field in a construction work environment. Typical days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties and business demand. At construction / renovation work sites approximately 80% of time; locations are predominantly in Virginia with minimal overnight travel. Nominal time in an office work environment. Total working hours will be between 15 and 20 hours per week.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; use fingers and hands to control computer mouse, type or write; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
EEO Statement
Viridiant provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, sexual orientation and socioeconomic background. In addition to federal law requirements Viridiant complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the organization has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Compensation: $18.00 - $20.00 per hour
Viridiant’s Mission & History
Advancing sustainable, affordable and energy efficient construction through education and technical support.
Viridiant’s History
The need to introduce a green building program to Virginia was conceptualized in early 2004 by Annette Osso, Executive Director of Virginia Sustainable Building Network, Karl Bren, President of Green Vision Consulting, and Chuk Bowles of The Energy Consortium. Initial funding was obtained by VSBN through a Department of Energy Building America grant. Support was provided by Mike Toalson, Chief Executive Officer of Virginia Home Builders Association and Katie Hayes, the former Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Home Builders Association in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Katie called on her membership to form a green building committee of interested members to create a pilot program to introduce green building to the Commonwealth. The committee devoted much time and effort in deciding whether an existing program would meet our needs, or should a program be created unique to the mid-Atlantic region.
Eventually the EarthCraft Homes program, created in 1999 by a partnership between Southface Energy Institute and the Greater Atlanta Home Builders Association, was selected. This program was designed to address the climatic factors of the southeast as well as introduce green building to the construction industry in a way that could be easily integrated into the building process.
The EarthCraft Homes program, the largest in the southeast, has proven itself as a successful green building program. An initial “EarthCraft Parade of Homes” in Charlottesville resulted in the first six EarthCraft homes being constructed in the Commonwealth. This endeavor was an overwhelming success and provided the impetus to expand the program statewide.
Ralph Nodine, Executive Director of Virginia Community Development Corporation, provided an initial home for the organization prior to receiving its -501c-3 status. K.C. McGurren (now Bleile) joined EarthCraft Virginia in 2006 as the first Director of Operations and now serves as Executive Director.
Under her leadership additional partnerships were formed with the Virginia Housing Development Authority and Habitat for Humanity to introduce sustainable development to low income affordable housing.
EarthCraft Virginia Becomes Viridiant
In 2016 EarthCraft Virginia transformed to serve an even broader audience by expanding our efforts in education, consultation, and certification. We continue to serve hundreds of professionals and thousands of homeowners with the EarthCraft family of programs. And now as Viridiant – by focusing on our three Pillars of Sustainability – we are able to do even more to demonstrate how the latest building science can set a path for businesses and homeowners to create structures that are more affordable, more livable, and more durable. Find out how our new name embodies our mission in the video below.
To date, Viridiant has evolved into one of the largest regional green building programs in the country and continues to grow and provide a more sustainable future for all.
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