The Consultant role is an entry-level position primarily responsible for coordinating projects and providing building science recommendations and consultative engineering services to senior project managers. Working on existing structures with building enclosure failures, the Consultant will conduct building enclosure condition assessments and lead subsequent repair and rehabilitation efforts. Working on new structures, the Consultant will confirm conformance with the project documents and to perform field testing of various components of the building. This will also include advanced analytical modeling work including thermal and hygrothermal analysis. The creation of drawings, graphics and sketches using various tools for publication in guides/presentations will also be part of the work. The role requires frequent interpretation of data, goals, and objectives and discussion of problems with various individuals or groups to resolve problematic situations.
The majority of work for this role will focus on thermal/hygrothermal modeling, graphic work, construction site field review and project coordination. This position naturally leads to Professional Engineering licensure and a Project Manager role as experience and responsibilities are increased over time.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and Field Review of New Construction and Rehabilitation Projects
- Assist senior engineers with drawing, specification and shop drawing reviews for new construction projects.
- Utilized analytical tools to assess thermal and hygrothermal performance of building enclosures.
- Assist with building envelope thermal bridging calculations to be used as part of energy models.
- Attend regular site meeting with owners, architects, contractors, developers, product manufacturers, and any other relevant parties to discuss progress of the work.
- Review and analyze mock-ups of various details and assemblies within the scope of work (e.g., window installation, metal flashing transitions, stucco application procedure, etc.). Use independent judgement on-site and make recommendations for modifications to design.
- Review and analyze site visit reports (SVRs), documenting observations and field-testing results. Provide recommendations for all deficiency items, including field sketches. Generally, field sketches provide additional detail/clarification for site issues not fully covered within the contract documents.
- Review manufacturer’s shop drawings for conformance with the project intent, performance with respect to the various building science principles, and for any scheduling of work issues.
- Creates Site Instructions and/or Proposed Change Orders for items not included in the original contract.
- Research building materials when considering alternative/new materials requested by contractors or materials considered for specific, nontypical conditions. Use independent judgement in the evaluation of materials and make recommendations to senior staff for contractor alternate submittals.
Advanced Analytics
- Perform computational analysis of building systems. Familiarity with computational modelling and finite element analysis highly advantageous, though knowledge of any specific software package is not required.
- Knowledge of the following software is advantageous: HEAT3, THERM, WINDOW, Flixo, SolidWorks, NX, Rhino and plugins (Grasshopper, Ladybug, etc), EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, WUFI, etc.
- Knowledge of other similar or related building simulation software tools is advantageous, especially relating to thermal performance, solar shading, CFD, energy performance, HVAC design, and structural analysis
- Knowledge of drawing and communication tools is advantageous, including AutoCAD, Revit, SketchUp, and the Adobe Creative Suite.
- Data manipulation and analysis
- Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel including VBA coding skills an asset.
- Knowledge of programming tools such as Python and Mathcad an asset
Building Science Labs
- Assist in the production of written and visual technical training and guideline content using a variety of tools, including PowerPoint, Adobe Suite, and Sketchup, for use in industry publications.
- Provide field support for research and forensic projects, including airtightness and water leakage testing.
Condition Assessments
- Plan and complete assignments; assist the Group Leader and Project Managers with defining objectives and priorities.
- Review documentation including architectural, structural, and mechanical drawings to determine original construction detailing and identify areas of risk for water penetration, air leakage, and/or condensation.
- Conduct visual review of the building exterior and interior components, re-evaluating existing conditions and high-risk areas. Exterior reviews are typically conducted from ladders, swing stages, or boatswain’s chair (once proper training has been arranged).
- Create exploratory openings within the building enclosure to allow for visual review of the underlying components for evidence of decay/deterioration and to evaluate moisture content levels of the wood or gypsum materials.
- Use independent judgment; conduct field tests of various building enclosure assemblies, including windows, walls, and skylights; and identify problems and develop testing solutions. Use independent judgement during testing to identify problems and develop testing solutions.
- Analyze and prepare written reports and presentations, fully documenting the current conditions, evaluating future risks, and providing recommendations for renewals, rehabilitation, and/or maintenance.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering. Preference for majors in civil, architectural, mechanical, similar.
- Strong communication skills: written, verbal, and sketching.
- Some previous construction or project management experience is an asset but not a requirement.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong initiative and ability to manage time and projects independently
- Knowledge and application of engineering theory
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and a professional public demeanor.
- Strong comprehension of building technology and how various building components are assembled in 3D.
- Excellent attention to detail
- Good ability to shift focus between changing priorities
Benefits & Perks
The base salary range for this position is $60,000 - $78,000 annualized for a full-time role. Salary is dependent various factors, including qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location. You may also be eligible for discretionary incentives and share ownership.
We offer a robust benefits package to support the well-being of our employees. This includes: GRSP/401K contributions, Health and Dental coverage, Primary Caregiver benefits, Vacation and Sick Time, Statutory Holiday substitutions, and a learning fund of $1,000 per year for education or career goals.
About RDH
A role with RDH is a career commitment to learn and grow alongside inspiring and dedicated people who care deeply about making buildings better.
We are an employee-owned consulting firm with 300+ employees in 11 offices across North America. Our core area of business is the integration of building science engineering, architecture, and construction management to optimize the performance of the building enclosure (walls, windows and roofs). Since our beginnings in 1997, we have become industry leaders in North America and continue to grow as we focus on technical excellence and delivering high-quality projects.
We offer a positive workplace with incredible teams, opportunities for professional growth, development and ownership. As well as your background, we seek alignment with RDH’s core values: 1) commit to excellence, 2) act with integrity, 3) work as a team 4) do what it takes, and 5) always learn.
