One of the most talked about green jobs of the moment is the energy manager. With rising energy costs and increased awareness, energy efficiency professionals are turning to their resumes for an answer to how they can keep up with this rapidly growing industry. The answer involves a slight career change.

You may be wondering what a professional energy manager is and how this job title differs from other jobs. Because corporations have a tendency to soak up an abundance of resources, energy consumption sits at the forefront of many corporate sustainability strategies. Therefore, the professional energy manager has become a highly sought-after career.

Architects, engineers, and general contractors play an integral role in building an edifice and enabling it to run. A professional energy manager then assumes the responsibility of operating and maintaining the space. A building may be constructed based on green building principles, but a truly energy efficient building must also adhere to guidelines pertaining to maintenance.

An energy manager is directly responsible for understanding energy codes, setting energy efficiency goals, conducting commercial energy audits, and participating in utility programs and rebates.

What steps should one take to become an energy manager?

1. Gain industry experience working as an architect, engineer, construction manager, general contractor, or insulation contractor.
2. Enroll in a formal training program to learn about energy codes, energy auditing tools, and financial incentives.
3. Obtain an industry certification to demonstrate your proficiency and knowledge.

Everblue’s Commercial Building Energy Auditor training can help you achieve these last two steps. While there is no formal prerequisite for attending this training, we recommend that individuals have experience working in the building industry. Upon completion of this training, students will take a final exam and will ultimately be rewarded with the Commercial Building Energy Auditor certification. For more information about this career track, please visit our Commercial Building Energy Auditor page.