Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Specialist

About the position

The Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Specialist at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is responsible for implementing and managing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure for school buses, funded by federal grants. This role involves strategic planning, collaboration with various departments, and ensuring the standardization and maintenance of the charging network across the district. The specialist will also engage with external partners and governmental agencies to enhance the EV infrastructure and promote sustainable energy practices.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute a comprehensive, strategic plan for an affordable, scalable, and compatible charging network.

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• Support in the development of the CPS EV charger master specification for buses, fleet, and passenger vehicles.

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• Engage with CPS Transportation department to understand bus specifications and purchasing.

,

• Collaborate and support the standardization (Master Specification) and purchasing of the bus charging stations in coordination with the Procurement department.

,

• Facilitate the installation of the bus charging stations in coordination with the local utility (ComEd) and internal CPS capital improvement design and project managers.

,

• Support the development of EV charger software access protocols and coordination with the Transportation department upon activation of chargers and beginning of electric bus usage.

,

• Research and understand the necessity and cost/benefit of centralized control of charging equipment software subscriptions, user access, data tracking, maintenance, and replacements.

,

• Consolidate and maintain equipment specifications and status of all existing EV charging stations across the District.

,

• Ensure standardization of all charging hardware and software throughout the CPS portfolio.

,

• Partner with other governmental/city agencies to realize economic benefits or complementary infrastructure opportunities throughout implementation.

,

• Lead the continued adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure expansion across the district's central office, fleet, driver's education facilities, and student activity transport fleet.

,

• Access all available federal, state, local and private grants and incentives to fund continued expansion.

,

• Develop EV charging complementing renewable energy systems.

,

• Understand and consider on-site distributed generation solar & wind-occupying car/bus ports, and ground-mounted systems.

,

• Work with various governmental agencies, school districts, etc. to coordinate efforts and learn best practices.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required; Concentration in science, engineering, or related field of study, preferred.

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• Minimum five (5) years of project management experience involving electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy efficiency, utility & site construction, energy systems, or other similar program development experience required.

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• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing).

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• Strong planning, organization and time management skills.

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• Skilled in planning and implementing projects that require cross collaboration with multiple internal departments, municipal departments, other government agencies, and outside vendors.

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• Excellent critical thinking and independent problem-solving skills.

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• Passionate and motivated by the advancement of electric transport, renewable energy, and energy storage.

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• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment.

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• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success.

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• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners.

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• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps.

Nice-to-haves

Benefits

Qualifications

• Minimum five (5) years of project management experience involving electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, energy efficiency, utility & site construction, energy systems, or other similar program development experience required
• Strong communication skills (speaking - including presentations - listening, and writing)
• Strong planning, organization and time management skills
• Skilled in planning and implementing projects that require cross collaboration with multiple internal departments, municipal departments, other government agencies, and outside vendors
• Excellent critical thinking and independent problem-solving skills
• Passionate and motivated by the advancement of electric transport, renewable energy, and energy storage
• Effective strategic planning capabilities, including the ability to establish long-term vision and goals, and align/manage activities toward goal fulfillment
• Strong leadership and team building skills, e.g. ability to develop high-performing teams united around a clear vision for serving schools and achieving student success
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with a variety of constituent groups, including external partners
• Ability to define problems, analyze data, and outline valid conclusions and action steps

Responsibilities

• The Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Infrastructure Specialist at Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is responsible for implementing and managing the electric vehicle charging infrastructure for school buses, funded by federal grants
• This role involves strategic planning, collaboration with various departments, and ensuring the standardization and maintenance of the charging network across the district
• The specialist will also engage with external partners and governmental agencies to enhance the EV infrastructure and promote sustainable energy practices
• Create and execute a comprehensive, strategic plan for an affordable, scalable, and compatible charging network
• Support in the development of the CPS EV charger master specification for buses, fleet, and passenger vehicles
• Engage with CPS Transportation department to understand bus specifications and purchasing
• Collaborate and support the standardization (Master Specification) and purchasing of the bus charging stations in coordination with the Procurement department
• Facilitate the installation of the bus charging stations in coordination with the local utility (ComEd) and internal CPS capital improvement design and project managers
• Support the development of EV charger software access protocols and coordination with the Transportation department upon activation of chargers and beginning of electric bus usage
• Research and understand the necessity and cost/benefit of centralized control of charging equipment software subscriptions, user access, data tracking, maintenance, and replacements
• Consolidate and maintain equipment specifications and status of all existing EV charging stations across the District
• Ensure standardization of all charging hardware and software throughout the CPS portfolio
• Partner with other governmental/city agencies to realize economic benefits or complementary infrastructure opportunities throughout implementation
• Lead the continued adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure expansion across the district's central office, fleet, driver's education facilities, and student activity transport fleet
• Access all available federal, state, local and private grants and incentives to fund continued expansion
• Develop EV charging complementing renewable energy systems
• Understand and consider on-site distributed generation solar & wind-occupying car/bus ports, and ground-mounted systems
• Work with various governmental agencies, school districts, etc
• to coordinate efforts and learn best practices