Critical Facilities Engineering Associate

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL ) Project and Infrastructure Modern Division (PIMD ) has an opening for a Critical Facilities Engineering Associate to join the team.

The Internal Commissioning Authority (iCxA) will be accountable for participating on cross-functional teams and applying standard technical principles, theories, and/or concepts to perform professional level validation activities, such as Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) and Performance Qualification (PQ).  

You will include the successful verbal and written communication with Project Management and inclusion of Engineering and Operations Technical SME support to achieve commissioning for capital, tenant upgrade and programmatic projects.  

The level of influence applied shall meet with the assurance that validation and verification of system performance meets code and standards per the commissioning process from inception (pre-planning), design, construction, and through closeout with transition to operations.  You will require multifunctional technical support to establish commissioning scope, budget development and commissioning rigor per graded approach of risk determination and impact.  Application of technical concepts and practices are required to verify commissioning activities in accordance with the LBNL Commissioning Process: Standard Operating Procedure (Cx SOP) and where applicable Title 24, ASHARE, NFPA, BCA etc.  

You will report to the PIMD Commissioning Director (CxD) for general direction and assignments specific to the role and responsibilities as the Internal Commissioning Authority (iCxA) outlined in the Cx SOP. 

You will directly communicate and interface with the Project and Construction Managers, EH&S representatives, Operations Department, Facilities Engineers, Subcontractors, Design Professionals, and Commissioning Professionals.

 

What You Will Do:

• With minimal consultation or supervision, plan, organize, and effectively coordinate engineering technical support work of commissioning projects and interface with independent Commissioning Providers.  
• Support development of detailed commissioning for project plans and timelines for the execution of IQ/OQ/PQ activities. 
• Prepare validation & change control, documentation, including protocols, summary reports, etc., for validation activities. 
• Ensure new systems are implemented within predetermined timelines and financial forecasts that include sufficient commissioning scope and budget.  Self-evaluate and provide input into systems investigations and root cause analysis to prevent system failures (may have potential validation impact). 
• Coordinate the collection, testing and reporting of results required per validation protocol. Exercise judgment within defined generally procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.
• Development and review of project commissioning documentation, test results and standardized industry practices.
• Optimize asset lifecycle strategies to support reliable operations and integration of asset commissioning/retirement into the planning process. 
• Provide options for resolution to technical problems of moderately to highly complex scope and applies various engineering and commissioning practices and or theories.  This does not preclude contract requirements for solution of issues by the Contractor.  This may also involve application of industry practices, concepts and or creative steps to overcome issues of nuisance or significance that have troublesome side effects to the system and or operation. Notifies senior management of significant quality system issues that may impact service quality and/or regulatory compliance..
• Develop/review test criteria and performance specifications for facilities and equipment required to meet unique operating requirements and building and safety codes.  Validate field installation and document submittals for adherence to code and contract specifications pertaining to commissioning. 
• Under limited supervision, may implement plans, assess effectiveness, and suggest ongoing improvements. Compile process and performance metrics data, calculate results and maintain records in standard reporting format for communication to stakeholders and management.  Apply statistical analysis methods for determining trends, forecasts and mitigation strategies for current conditions and short and long term improvement. 
• Lead Cx Team and coordinate the Cx process from end (Cx initiation) to end (Cx closeout).
• Provides communication to Project Management and CxP(s) when assigned for following the Cx plan checklist and tracking of documents per the Cx SOP: Owner’s Project Requirements, Cx scope and budget, Cx plan checklist, Cx requirements per design phase, Cx Systems Manual requirements, and Cx submittal documents; Basis of Design Cx activities per project/construction schedule, etc.
• Participate in Bid Walks, reviews commissioning plans, witnesses functional performance tests and results, validate system readiness for commissioning; component, equipment and system operation. 
• Review the construction schedule, equipment and material schedules, Operational and Maintenance Manuals where applicable to functional performance tests, Cx System Manuals and reports, and other types of Commissioning documents for quality assurance and compliance.
• Verify development of functional performance tests by the Cx Team and reviews completed pre-functional checklists. Gains approval of the PM and CxD for final Cx Plan Checklist.  Field witnesses’ tests and updates issues log.
• Verify review by Cx Team of test results, occupancy requirements documents per AHJ as applicable. Verify contractor installation checklists and commissioning tests based on standardized industry and statistical sampling methods, validation of results in accordance with acceptable standardized consensus criteria.
• Facilitate the definition of Project Requirements acceptance criteria, recording, tracking, and assisting in resolution of commissioning issues, commissioning reporting at several milestones, including recommendations regarding acceptance of the work, and M&V plan development and implementation.
• Prepare and review detailed commissioning specifications, updates to existing based on lessons learned and in collaboration with the designer of record, EH&S SMEs and or Facilities Engineering the installation checklists and commissioning tests.  
• Verify completion when necessary end-of-warranty commissioning tests, seasonal trends and enhanced commissioning are contracted.  Develop lessons learned per project, communicates and solicits feedback with Project Management, Engineering and Operations for updates to LBNL Master Specifications and implements those changes for process compliance to achieve improvements. 

 

What is Required:

• Knowledge equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in the relevant field with three to eight minimum or more years of directly applicable commissioning experience.  
• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data, interpret results, and write validation reports.  Provide independent analysis in problem solving and applying judgement that may involve selection of equipment, iterative, interactive and control routines that resolve, correct or produce acceptance test results independently. 
• Experience working as a team with clients, providing technical expertise and support through compiling documentation.  
• Must be able to use computers, scanners, digital cameras, and effectively use software such as Excel and Word.
• Experience coordinating and communicating both orally and written, work as a team with all levels of management, Engineers, Designers, and Craft Personnel.
• Must possess excellent customer service skills and be able to promote customer relations through partnering with clients and coworkers, both external and internal.
• Willing to work unscheduled hours and weekends if needed.
• Ability to make sound decisions about technical problem-solving resolution, scheduling, coordinating and managing priorities, contributions/recommendations that provide substantial results that are effective for the duration and produce effective and efficient change for the organization affected.  
• Ability to lead teams in the following process for achieving acceptable results and implementing positive outcomes to complete work. 

 

Desired Qualifications:

• A minimum of three to five years of hands-on commissioning experience with the commercial and laboratory systems (MEP, Fire Protection, HVAC, BMS, life safety) in the scope of commissioning identified above.
• Experience providing commissioning process services on projects of similar type.
• Experience that demonstrates understanding of conducting business in a public higher education and or research environment.
• Experience providing commissioning services during the predesign and design phases in addition to the construction and closeout, with hands on experience providing resolution to commissioning issues.
• Clear understanding of contract relations and documents, LEED, Guiding Principles, Title 24, CCRs.
• Basic Knowledge of QA/QC Process and or FMCS tools desired; i.e. statistical methods, FMEA, Six Sigma, Lean,  knowledge of Maximo system.
• Certified Commissioning Professional, PE or equivalent.

 

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position may be subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work will be primarily performed at Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.

 

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