Building Performance Diagnosticians

Employers

Building performance diagnosticians are employed by engineering consulting services firms; energy efficiency consulting firms; residential, commercial, and industrial construction companies; government agencies; and any other organization, company, or agency that needs building performance issues investigated and resolved. Some BPDs operate their own consulting firms.

Starting Out

Many new college graduates who have obtained experience in the field via internships, part-time jobs, and other methods are hired for entry-level diagnostician positions. Some employers require applicants to work in lower-level positions—such as building performance technician—before being promoted to the position of BPD. Technicians are typically assigned lower-level tasks such as conducting basic tests and carrying and setting up equipment. Others may install weather-stripping or caulking or wrap air ducts, water lines, and water heaters to better insulate them to improve energy efficiency.

Aspiring and current building performance diagnosticians can learn about job openings by using professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, by utilizing the resources of their college’s career service center (alumni can also utilize these resources), by attending career fairs and other types of networking events, by working with a recruiter, and by contacting employers directly about potential job openings. Additionally, the Building Performance Association offers a job board at its Web site, https://building-performance.careerwebsite.com.