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The Role of the Resource Conservation Manager

Typical tasks of a RCM include:

  • Track and analyze consumption data
    “What gets measured gets managed”
  • Analyze resource use and trends (personal behavior and consumption)
    Interview building managers and staff, survey facilities, collect baseline data
  • Establish and/or maintain resource accounting software
    Identify errors, institute efficient operational procedures. Once established, resource accounting can be used to set savings goals for your organization and forecast resource budgets.
  • Identify efficiency opportunities
  • Carry out facility audit
    Document existing equipment, conditions and resource use patterns
  • Prepare energy audit report and develop action plan
    Write it up!
  • Communicate and present findings to management and building staff
  • Facilitate and garner management and staff support for plans
  • Provide information and training to facility operator and maintenance staff
  • Maintain regular resource-use assessments and conservation savings
  • Develop recognition program that encourages actions
  • Develop and facilitate conservation teams to assist with RCM program implementation
  • Work cooperatively with representatives of local utilities, management, staff and public to implement all of the above
  • Periodically review and adjust plan as necessary

Two to three years after initial implementation of a resource conservation program, a RCM’s responsibilities shift to sustaining the program, which mostly entails monitoring and tracking, and evaluating the plan’s effectiveness.As technology changes, new retrofit projects may arise as well.

What skills and qualifications does a RCM need?
Where can I get training or education to become a RCM or increase my skills?

What skills and qualifications does a RCM need?

The following are general skills and qualifications needed to become a RCM – specific jobs may differ:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, resource conservation or related field
  • Or associate degree and two years experience in conservation program or services
  • Understanding of utility rate structure, and energy use costs and consumption
  • Strong research and data analysis skills
  • Strong verbal and writing communication skills, including report preparation
  • Ability to work with managers, building staff, utility company staff, and public
  • Ability to motivate facilities and maintenance personnel
  • Strong computer skills, including ability to work with data management software
  • Strong facilitation skills
  • Programmatic experience with resource management
  • Experience in the public sector

Please contact us to see sample job announcements for resource conservation managers.

Where can I get training or education to become a RCM or increase my skills?

In Washington state and elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest, a few community colleges offer certification and degrees in energy management and related fields. Other agencies and organizations offer course training and certification in various aspects of energy and building management. To add a newly developed program to this list, please send an email to janowitzk@energy.wsu.edu.

Cascadia Community College, Bothell, WA
The focus of the Energy Management Specialist Certificate is in careers such as energy auditor, energy analyst, building technician, resource conservation manager, efficiency manager, measurement and verification technician, and system technician.
Cascadia CC

Edmonds Community College, Edmonds, WA
Offers a two-year Associate of Technical Arts degree in Energy Management, for people currently working in the industry, seeking entry-level work in the field, or taking on new responsibilities in energy efficiency at their workplace.
Edmonds CC or call 425-640-1640

Everett Community College, Everett, WA
Offers a four-course Sustainable Business Operations Management Certificate and a five-date Residential Energy Auditor certification.
Everett CC

South Seattle Community College, Georgetown Campus, Seattle, WA
Offers courses and programs that prepare students for national certification programs, and for energy and green building fields.
South Seattle CC

Building Operator Certification™ (BOC) is a nationally recognized training and certification program for building operators offering improved job skills and more comfortable, energy-efficient facilities. Classes held at various locations.
BOC

Northwest Energy Education Institute (NWEEI) at Lane Community College, Eugene, OR
Offers two-year degree programs in energy management, advanced certification for current professionals, and other standard and custom learning opportunities in the energy and building fields.
NWEEI - Lane CC

For more training opportunities and energy events, go to the WSU Extension Energy Program – Energy Experts website at Energy Experts.

Job Opportunities

We occasionally include RCM job opportunities in the RCM News, a monthly newsletter with current information, articles, links, and training opportunities for the RCM field. To view past newsletters, go to RCM News archives.