South Coast Green Jobs

Building a green jobs economy for Massachusetts' South Coast

Core Competencies for the Weatherization Assistance Program
      Installer Crew Chief Auditor Contractor HVAC Installer/ Contractor Inspector Client Ed. Monitor (Tech.) Monitor (Admin.) Program Manager Trainer
Basic Competencies X X X X X X X X X X X
Safe Work Practices X X X X X X   X     X
Understand building science principles   X X X   X X X   X X
Air Sealing
  Select proper materials X X X X   X   X     X
  Know minimum ventilation rates X X X X   X   X     X
  Use blower door X X X X   X   X     X
  Seal leaks in attics, floors, etc. X X X X   X   X     X
  Properly apply caulk & foam X X X X   X   X     X
  Weatherstrip doors, windows, etc. X X X X   X   X     X
  Repair broken glass X X X X   X   X     X
  Repair plaster & sheetrock X X X X   X   X     X
  Install or modify mechanical ventilation X X X X   X   X     X
Duct Sealing
  Seal ducts X X X X X X   X     X
  Repair/modify ducts per work order X X X X X X   X     X
Insulation
  Know insulation materials X X X X   X X X   X X
  Know hazards of knob-&-tube wiring X X X X   X   X   X X
  Know local attic ventilation codes   X X X   X   X     X
  Install blown & batt insulation X X X X   X   X     X
  Access & dense-pack sidewalls X X X X   X   X     X
  Install water heater blankets X X X X   X   X     X
  Insulate ducts & pipes X X X X   X   X     X
  Operate & maintain blowing machine X X X X   X   X     X
Base-Load Measures
  Convert incand. lamps to CFLs, maintain light level X X X X   X   X     X
  Install low-flow showerheads/aerators X X X X   X   X     X
  Meter energy usage of electrical appliances     X     X   X     X
  Determine refrig energy usage w/ meter of database     X     X   X     X
Project Management
  Manage a crew of Installers   X   X              
  Ensure Safe Work Practices are used   X X X   X   X   X X
  Understand a work order   X X X   X   X X X X
  Know building codes, esp. energy & H&S codes   X X X X X   X   X X
  Order materials to avoid delays   X   X              
  Maintain QC of wx work & ensure it meets pgm stds   X   X X X   X   X  
  Warehouse materials as necessary   X   X X            
Training
  Know adult learning concepts   X   X     X X   X X
  Complete adult education training program                     X
  Know benefits of cross training   X   X       X   X X
  Provide ongoing training   X   X       X     X
  Certification in training topic               X     X
  Know allowable activities at training location               X   X X
  Know training resources             X X   X X
  Develop curriculum based on student needs               X     X
  Tailor each class based on student needs               X     X
  Motivate students             X X     X
  Provide hands-on training             X X X   X
  Use technology to enhance learning               X     X
Diagnostic Testing
  > Blower door/zone pressure diagnostics
    Know air & heat movement principles   X X X   X X X   X X
    Know typical air leakage problems   X X X   X X X   X X
    Compute minimum ventilation rates   X X X   X   X     X
    Take blower door readings & interpret results   X X X   X   X     X
    Know air barrier & its proper alignment   X X X   X X X   X X
    Know primary & intermediate zones   X X X   X X X   X X
    Conduct zone pressure diagnostics   X X X   X   X     X
    Locate air barrier & determine its effectiveness   X X X   X   X     X
  > Duct testing
    Know problems w/ different kinds of leakage   X X X X X X X   X X
    Conduct pressure pan, duct blaster, or Delta Q   X X X X X   X     X
    Determine dominant duck leakage   X X X X X   X     X
    Measure & resolve room pressure imbalances   X X X X X   X     X
  > Steam & hot water pipe testing
    Know components & oper of steam & HW sys     X   X X   X     X
    Test air vents, steam traps, t'stat rad valves, etc.     X   X X   X     X
    Bleed air from HW distribution system         X            
    Estimate energy impact of overheating problems     X   X X   X     X
Combustion Appliance Safety
  Know CO action levels   X X X X X X X   X X
  > Know code requirements of:
    Vent sizing, materials, clearances, installation   X X X X X   X     X
    Safety shut-off devices   X X X X X   X     X
    Gas line sizing   X X X X X   X     X
    Combustion air   X X X X X   X     X
  Know causes & remedies of common vent problems   X X X X X X X   X X
  Measure CO in ambient air   X X X X X   X     X
  Measure CO in vented & unvented appliances   X X X X X   X     X
  Measure CO of gas & propane stoves & ranges   X X X X X   X     X
  Clean & adjust ovens/ranges to remedy high CO   X X X X X   X     X
  Understand as-measured & air-free CO readings   X X X X X   X     X
  Detect gas, propane, and fuel oil leaks   X X X X X   X     X
  Conduct worst-case draft test of CAZ   X X X X X   X     X
  Measure CAZ & ensure adequate combustion air     X   X X   X     X
  Clock a gas meter to determine appliance input     X   X X   X     X
  Measure temp rise/drop & static press drop on FA sys     X   X X   X     X
  Measure steady-state efficiency of vented units   X X X X X   X     X
  Assess adequacy of plenum & duct sizes     X   X X   X     X
Inspection and Measurement
  Know factors that affect heat loss in buildings   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know critcal junction points   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know R-values of different insulation materials   X X X   X   X     X
  Know different insulation mtrls & installation techniques   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know air-sealing techniques & appropriate materials   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know causes & remedies of moisture problems   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know causes & remedies of IAQ problems   X X X   X X X   X X
  Know residential mechanical ventilation systems   X X X   X   X   X X
  Know min ventilation rates per appropriate ASHRAE 62   X X X   X   X     X
  Know electric base-load usage   X X X   X   X   X X
  Measure building dimensions & compute areas   X X X   X   X   X X
  Compute volume of conditioned space   X X X   X   X   X X
  Define thermal envelope of a building   X X X   X   X   X X
  Assess existing insulation & its R-value   X X X   X   X     X
  Analyze utility bills     X     X   X     X
Measure Selection
  Know materials allowed by 10 CFR 440 Appendix A     X     X X X X X X
  Know regs & policy affecting measure selection     X     X   X X X X
  Understand the interaction between measures     X     X X X   X X
  Properly use DOE-approved energy audit/priority list     X     X   X     X
  Prioritize air-sealing measures     X     X   X     X
  Estimate heating & cooling load of a building     X   X X   X     X
Work Scope Development
  Estimate type & quantity of wx materials needed     X     X   X     X
  Prepare easy-to-understand work order     X     X   X     X
Business Management
  Maintain required licenses       X X            
  Possess adequate insurance       X X            
  Employ U.S. citizens or properly documented aliens   X   X X            
  Bid, negotiate, & sign contracts as necessary       X X            
Heating & Cooling Equipment
  Repair/place heating & cooling eqmt per code         X            
  Repair/place combustion appliance vent systems         X           X
  Repair/place water heater         X           X
  Add supply & return plenums & ducts as necessary         X           X
Client Education
  Know actions by occupant that reduce energy use             X     X X
  Estimate savings that can result from occupant actions             X       X
  Know actions by occupant that ensure health & safety             X     X X
  Know basic steps involved in weatherization process'             X     X X
  Know basic equipment used to weatherize a house             X     X X
Monitoring
  > Technical Monitoring
    Produce reports, identify weaknesses & solutions           X   X X   X
    Solve complex technical problems           X   X     X
  > Administrative Monitoring
    Know enabling legislation of Weatherization Pgm                 X X X
    Know DOE program regulations (10 CFR 440)                 X X X
    Know DOE program guidance & policy                 X X X
    Know budget federal, state, & local processes                 X X  
    Know 10 CFR 600 & OMB Circulars                 X X  
    Know applicable state procurement regulations                 X X  
    Know state approached to monitoring & T&TA                 X X X
Program Management
  Know applicable databases & tracking systems                   X  
  Submit accurate financial and production reports                   X  
  Provide T&TA for staff & contractors                   X X
  Coordinate resources                   X  
  Develop & implement leveraging strategies                   X  
  > State Program Management
    Prepare an annual state plan                   X  
    Prepare an annual weatherization grant application            
    X  
    Develop, maintain, and enforce tec pgm stds                   X  
    Develop & manage an effective monitoring program                   X  
    Process reimbursement requests                   X  
  > Local Agency Program Coordination
    Prepare and track a budget                   X  
    Maintain a purchase order system                   X  
    Maintain inventory tracking system                   X  
    Comply with federal limits on admin expenses                   X  
    Manage a small construction-focused operation                   X  
    Ensure rigorous final inspection of all units                   X X

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