Yes – but very little.

1. Prior to any field work, you may be asked to fill out a webform or interview sheet that will allow us to determine if you're able to provide the services and skills necessary to be Fieldwork Mentor. This allows us to match students up with Fieldwork Mentors who have the tools and skill sets needed to complete the field work.
\r\n
2. Your utility may be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) document that outlines the relationship and responsibilities of being a Fieldwork Mentor.
\r\n
3. You may be asked to respond to our 3rd party evaluation team. The responses should be quick and will both help us improve and verify that the project is successful.
\r\n

Typically, because our students are new to our industry, there is an expectation that they will not have accumulated a set of Analytical tools so yes, you will need to provide tools. The expectation is tools used will be limited to dataloggers and a set of sensors, a light meter, and maybe a blower door.

At the end of the course, Utility Fieldwork Mentors will be expected to submit a simple electronic checklist. This quick evaluation mainly notes attendance and involvement. Faculty will use the checklist along with any additional feedback for grading.

Perhaps. It is the Fieldwork Mentor's responsibility to encourage a safe working environment. Notes about requiring closed shoes, hard hat, safety vest, gloves etc.. need to be discussed with student prior to showing up for their field work. Where there are activities or areas with safety hazards, it is up to the Fieldwork Mentor to give a safety brief and or confirm that the student is aware of those hazards.

Depending on the course, your utility may or may not have the expertise to Fieldwork Mentor a student. Using an online pre-qualification webform and or consulting via phone/email we will determine if your utility has the appropriate talent to Fieldwork Mentor.

Once identified, Fieldwork Mentors will be informed of the field work responsibilities by the course instructor.

If your utility doesn't have the fieldwork expertise, staff at NWEEI will ask your assistance in helping us locate a talented vendor with whom you contract to do your efficiency work.

We expect that a Fieldwork Mentor will have a deep understanding of residential and commercial buildings. We don't expect that one Fieldwork Mentor will know it all although many do. We would like our Fieldwork Mentors to possess an interest in showing others the technical aspects of residential and commercial building energy consumption including HVAC, Lighting, building shell science, and occupancy behavior.

By enrolling in a class at Lane Community College, all students are protected by the College's liability insurance. However, because this program is a unique combination of online and fieldwork outside a physical campus, it's a bit more complicated to explain. Rest assured, we have worked with both legal councel and our Fieldwork Mentors to construct documentation that provides the assurance that student safety is considered. Proof of coverage is available upon request.