:Antrim-Belfast-Belfast Office, Down-Dundonald-Dundonald Office, Armagh-Armagh-Armagh Office, Tyrone-Omagh-Omagh Office
Grade/Scale : Assistant Principal Officer | NJC pts 37 - 40 | £48,226 - £51,356 per annum
Additional Information: Base location to be agreed on appointment.
JOB DESCRIPTION
REPORTS TO: Lead Officer for Building Energy Management Systems (BEMS)
RESPONSIBLE FOR: The post-holder will have direct line management responsibility for up to 3 members of staff and will be responsible for leading the monitoring and improvement of Building Performance across the school estate, using data-driven analysis to inform strategic decisions on Energy Efficiency, Asset Condition and Sustainability. The role involves providing expert advice to the Lead Officer for BEMS and the Senior Quality, Energy and Sustainability (QES) Manager, ensuring compliance with statutory and environmental requirements and identifying opportunities to enhance value for money and operational efficiency.
The post-holder will also play a key role in shaping estate strategy, supporting capital investment, planning, driving energy and carbon reduction initiatives and engaging with schools and stakeholders to promote best practice in Building Performance Management.
The post-holder will work closely with QES Senior Managers, other Senior EA colleagues, Principals, External Partners and multi-disciplinary Teams to deliver the EA’s climate change ambitions and legislative requirements. This includes responsibility for providing advice and support to the Voluntary Grammar and Grant Maintained Integrated sector as required.
JOB PURPOSE
The overall purpose of the role is to lead the analysis and continuous improvement of building performance metrics across the Education Authority (EA) estate. This will inform the strategic oversight of energy, asset efficiency and environmental performance to support organisational objectives, statutory compliance, and delivery of value for money.
The post-holder will support the specification, implementation and integration of digital estate technologies, including energy management platforms, building analytics software and business intelligence tools.
The post-holder will be responsible for collating accurate building performance data to support the work of the Lead Officer for BEMS and other senior QES Managers and external stakeholders to inform decision making, optimise investment, reduce carbon emissions and promote behavioural change in climate and sustainability within schools, across the EA Estate.
The post-holder will support the development, co-ordination, implementation and evaluation of EA’s Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan, providing a road map for reduction of GHG emissions.
A key focus of the role is to ensure that service delivery is focused on fostering and driving continuous improvement in meeting the needs of EA Services and Schools. The post-holder will manage the transformational change in climate, energy and carbon data management and will implement new procedures and processes for the service.
The Building Performance Analyst will work with EA colleagues, Schools across all sectors, External Stakeholders, Department of Education (DE), Department for the Economy (DfE), Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), the Strategic Investment Board (SIB), Utility Companies, Contracted Service Providers, Industry Experts and the 11 Councils to ensure continuous service improvement and delivery on key performance priorities. The post-holder will establish ownership and accountability for the challenges the service faces and lead technical investigations into abnormal energy consumption, building system failures and underperforming assets.
The Building Performance Analyst will advise and support the Lead Officer for BEMS in the development of the strategic direction for Energy and Carbon Reduction and will work closely with other senior EA colleagues and the Corporate Leadership Team within the EA to ensure that all Legislative and Organisational priorities are clearly identified and communicated.
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The post-holder has the following service-specific responsibilities:
Manage the collection, validation, and analysis of data from BEMS, meter readings, monitoring systems, utility supplier billing records and other estate management platforms.
Analyse interval metering and monitoring data to detect energy performance anomalies, diagnose issues including BEMS misconfiguration, energy waste, water loss and prioritise sites for performance improvements and operational efficiencies.
Work closely with the Lead Officer for BEMS and the Energy Bids Manager to inform Business Cases and demonstrate value for money on EA’s annual energy spend.
Collation, analysis and reporting of building performance metrics to inform decision making and highlight areas with optimal opportunity for investment in energy efficiency and renewable technologies.
Undertake site visits across the EA estate, as directed by the Lead Officer for BEMS, to review metering infrastructure and BEMS, ensuring accurate data capture, identifying configuration issues and supporting optimisation of system performance.
Provide technical assurance for energy efficiency projects and renewable energy installations through pre and post-project performance analysis.
Develop performance benchmarks, KPIs and analytical models to detect inefficiencies, faults and waste and to pinpoint opportunities for low/no cost improvements and BEMS optimisation.
Evaluation of energy and carbon performance metrics on an ongoing basis to ensure consistency and a single source of truth in energy and carbon reporting.
Develop improvements in building performance metrics and exception reporting processes in support of school leaders and service managers to deliver building performance and utilities efficiencies.
To work closely with Senior QES Managers to ensure that any relevant data is available to support the preparation of climate change mitigation and adaptation reports as required by The Climate Change (Reporting Bodies) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2024.
Drive development of data analytics capability, including dashboards and business intelligence tools.
Carry out targeted site visits, as directed by the Lead Officer for BEMS, to investigate abnormal consumption patterns, including detailed reviews of metering installations and BEMS operation to diagnose faults and support corrective actions.
Champion digital innovation to support carbon data analysis and economic modelling within the QES Building Performance function to ensure value for money decision making.
Work closely with Senior QES Managers to ensure buildings data is collated and accurate in order to support the reporting of Scope 1 and 2 carbon emissions.
Produce succinct, building performance summary reports and presentations suited to both technical and non-technical audiences to help articulate insight from analysis and support compliance with wider climate and sustainability reporting frameworks.
Evaluate and articulate new analysis methods from the industry and through research and development bodies.
Provide detailed analysis on building performance related expenditure and usage e.g. heating, lighting etc.
Create communication/information guides for managers and staff regarding building performance improvements and associated good practice and deliver related training.
Manage building performance information resources to support the delivery of energy and carbon reduction related projects as outlined in the Energy and Carbon Reduction Strategy and Action Plan.
Actively participate in building performance related meetings and consult with internal and external stakeholders.
Provide timely performance and benchmarking reports and presentations to the Lead Officer for BEMS and Senior QES Manager.
Ensure building performance KPIs are reviewed and reported frequently to reflect real-time progress toward Net Zero goals.
Work with the Lead Officer for BEMS to review current policies and procedures in conjunction with the Senior QES Manager, and wider management team.
To deputise and undertake additional duties for the Lead Officer for BEMS as required.
Leadership
To work with the Lead Officer for BEMS and the Senior QES Manager to lead and support on relevant legislative compliance across schools and the EA estate.
Actively manage the building performance management system, ensuring all actions have been identified to ensure legislative compliance.
Apply resources effectively across the service.
Regularly monitor agreed building performance KPIs to ensure they are achieved and improved where required.
Attend internal and external working groups as required.
Policy and Procedure Development
Contribute to the review, revision and development of existing and new policies and procedures as the need arises for the service.
Contribute to human resources and the Authority’s corporate strategy and plans on matters relating to employee relations.
Other Responsibilities
Ensure that the Authority’s policy on Data Protection (in particular processing sensitive personal information) is properly complied with.
Ensure that the Authority’s Equal Opportunities Policy, relevant Codes of Employment and Practice and other relevant legislation are adhered to. In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
Participate as required in the selection and appointment of staff in accordance with the policy and procedures as laid down by the Authority.
Provide responses to Parliamentary Questions, Assembly Questions, Minister’s cases, FOI requests and other correspondence within set deadlines.
Undertake such other relevant duties as may be reasonably expected of the post-holder.
Deal with whistleblowing complaints in accordance with the Whistleblowing procedure.
The post-holder may also be required to work outside normal office hours on occasions.
Building Relationships and Working with Others
Build and maintain effective, professional, and respectful stakeholder relationships.
Develop and maintain clear lines of communication and effective working partnerships with relevant internal external stakeholders.
Training
To provide specific training and development to impacted services and schools when required e.g., introduction of new processes, new regulations or the revision of existing regulations in the areas of building performance improvement.
Contribute to the development and delivery of building performance improvement initiatives and programmes such as workshops and training and development initiatives for Senior Managers and schools.
This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.
In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.
2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.
3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.
4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.
5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.
6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.
Section 1 - Essential Criteria
The following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications/
Experience
Hold an HNC/HND or above examination qualification and two years’ experience of interpreting and analysing performance metrics to support senior managers on Building Performance Analytics and/or Energy Data Assessments;
OR
Have four years’ experience of interpreting and analysing performance metrics to support senior managers on Building Performance Analytics and/or Energy Data Assessments.
Demonstrable experience in collating, validating and analysing large volumes of buildings performance metrics (e.g. metering, utilities, BEMS) and identifying trends, anomalies and inefficiencies.
Demonstrable experience of providing consistent, high-quality support and advice to Senior Management in relation to compliance reporting, including statutory and legislative requirements.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Skills/
Abilities
Proven ability to build strong and effective partnerships both internally and externally.
Proven ability to achieve challenging targets and objectives in agreed timeframes.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Knowledge
Demonstrable knowledge of the current and anticipated challenges related to the role.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Other
The successful candidate will be required:
to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion;
OR
be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Section 2 - Essential Criteria
The following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.
Factor
Essential Criteria
Method of Assessment
Skills/
Abilities
In line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:
The ability to champion EA strategic priorities and deliver change through a design mindset.
Skills to drive and deliver service improvement to children and young people.
Strong collaborative working skills and an ability to build genuine and productive alliances.
Excellent leadership and management skills.
Values Orientation
Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.
Section 3 - Desirable Criteria
Some or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.
Factor
Desirable Criteria
Method of Assessment
Qualifications
Hold Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) qualifications such as:
-
BMC00 - Introduction to Building Controls and Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC); or
-
BCM01 - Fundamentals of HVAC and Buildings Controls.
Shortlisting by Application Form
Our Values
Through the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.
DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.
In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.
Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.
