Temporary Energy Outreach Coordinator

Overview

The City of Fairfax is committed to advancing sustainability and improving the social, economic, and environmental well-being of the community through effective programs, partnerships, and best practices. The city aims to help residents reduce energy use, lower utility costs, and support long-term climate resilience. The City of Fairfax is seeking a temporary, part-time Energy Outreach Coordinator to support a grant-funded project under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program.

Under the general supervision of the Sustainability Program Manager, this position will lead residential energy efficiency education and outreach efforts, including the development and implementation of a Residential Energy Audit Program.

This position performs professional-level work involving program development, public education, vendor coordination, and community engagement. The role requires strong communication skills, independent judgment, and the ability to engage with diverse audiences through both digital and in-person outreach. The position is funded through the EECBG program and is anticipated to last 12 months.

• Lead the development and implementation of a Residential Energy Audit Program, providing a limited number of free or reduced-cost energy audits to city residents through a contracted vendor.
• Develop and issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) and coordinate procurement and contracting for a qualified residential energy audit vendor, in collaboration with city procurement and sustainability staff and in compliance with grant requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for the contracted energy audit vendor, overseeing resident engagement, program delivery, tracking participation, and ensuring quality and timely completion of energy audits.
• Conduct post-audit follow-up with residents to help them understand audit findings, prioritize recommended improvements, and connect them with available incentives, rebates, financing options, and implementation resources.
• Plan, develop, and implement a comprehensive residential energy efficiency outreach and education program to provide residents with clear, actionable guidance on reducing energy use and improving home performance.
• Create and distribute educational materials such as fact sheets, website content, newsletters, social media posts, digital advertisements, and printed materials to promote the city’s Residential Energy Audit Program, energy efficiency best practices, utility/state/federal energy programs, and incentives.
• Organize workshops, attend city events, and participate in community group meetings to educate residents and raise awareness of energy programs and resources available.
• Serve as a liaison between the city and key project partners (e.g., Virginia Energy, utilities, nonprofit organizations, etc.).
• Track and report participation metrics and outcomes related to outreach activities, energy audits, and program engagement to support grant reporting and performance evaluation.
• Share knowledge gained through the role with city staff to strengthen internal capacity and improve future energy programs.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Sustainability, Energy Management, Urban Planning, Communications, Public Policy, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• At least three years of professional or relevant experience in energy programs, community outreach, public education, sustainability, housing programs, or a related field.
• Knowledge of residential energy efficiency concepts, including weatherization, energy audits, efficiency retrofits, and common energy-saving technologies.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate technical information into clear, accessible messages for the general public.
• Experience developing outreach materials and managing digital communication platforms (websites, newsletters, graphics, social media).
• Ability to plan and facilitate workshops and community events.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks, priorities, and deadlines.
• Experience coordinating contractors, vendors, or external partners for program delivery.
• Ability to collect, track, and summarize program data and participation metrics.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and basic content management or email marketing tools.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with city staff, partner organizations, community groups, and residents.

• Certifications related to energy efficiency, building performance, or sustainability (e.g., Certified Energy Manager (CEM), LEED Green Associate) are a plus but not required.

• Temporary position funded until April 2027 or when funds run out.
• The expected salary for this temporary appointment is $31.00 to $34.00 hourly, up to 30 hours a week.
• Occasional…