K12 - Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

Total Project Strategies, Inc. (TPS)

Miami Dade County Public Schools (MDCPS) Program Management (PM) Services

TPS, a sub-consultant to AECOM, is seeking a Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) Specialist to lead systematic evaluations of completed architectural, interior design, and construction projects. Operating at the intersection of architecture, building science, and environmental psychology, this role measures how built environments perform in real-world conditions relative to original design intent, sustainability targets, and occupant needs.

The POE Specialist gathers and analyzes qualitative and quantitative data—spanning occupant satisfaction, indoor environmental quality (IEQ), operational energy usage, and spatial utilization—to optimize building performance, resolve operational bottlenecks, and directly inform future design standards across the firm.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Research Design & Evaluation Frameworks
• • Methodology Development: Design and standardize POE protocols, measurement toolkits, and survey instruments for commercial, educational, healthcare, residential, and civic project types.
  • Baseline & KPI Alignment: Collaborate with project leads during pre-design to establish clear performance baselines and measurable KPIs for post-occupancy benchmarking (typically conducted 6 to 24 months post-handover).
  • Certification Integration: Align POE evaluation frameworks with leading industry building standards, including LEED, WELL, FITWEL, BREEAM, and CIBSE TM62.

• Data Collection & On-Site Diagnostics
• • Occupant Feedback: Develop and deploy structured surveys, focus groups, behavioral mapping studies, and end-user interviews to evaluate satisfaction, acoustic/thermal comfort, and productivity.
  • Physical IEQ Monitoring: Conduct physical field measurements using calibrated equipment to test indoor air quality (CO2, VOCs, PM2.5/PM10), thermal comfort, illuminance/glare, and acoustic performance.
  • Spatial Utilization Tracking: Utilize spatial analytics tools, occupancy sensor networks, badge log trends, and heat-mapping to analyze space efficiency and actual occupancy behaviors.

• Data Analysis & Performance Synthesis
• • Performance Gap Analysis: Cross-reference predicted design models (e.g., energy simulations, daylight studies) with actual operational performance data extracted from Building Management Systems (BMS).
  • Statistical & Spatial Modeling: Perform multivariate statistical analysis to uncover correlations between physical space attributes, occupant well-being, and operational energy consumption.
  • Actionable Insights: Synthesize quantitative diagnostic measurements with qualitative occupant feedback into clear, evidence-based findings.

• Reporting & Design Feedback Loop
• • Comprehensive Reporting: Author detailed POE reports, executive dashboards, and case studies tailored for internal design studios, client leadership, and facility managers.
  • Continuous Improvement: Translate evaluation findings into updated firm-wide design guidelines, detailing lessons learned and corrective action recommendations for active projects.
  • Post-Occupancy Debriefs: Lead structured debrief sessions with architects, engineers, general contractors, and client stakeholders to share outcomes and refine future design workflows.

• Client Engagement & Advisory
• • Advisory Services: Serve as a primary subject matter expert during client workshops on workplace strategy, health & wellness optimization, and change management.
  • Facility Optimization: Partner with client facility operations teams to troubleshoot comfort complaints and recommend low-cost operational adjustments or retrofit strategies.

QUALIFICATIONS & TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Education & Experience
• • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Building Science, Environmental Psychology, Architectural Engineering, Interior Design, or a closely related field.
  • 3 to 5+ years of professional experience in architecture, building performance analysis, workplace strategy, or design research.
  • Demonstrated track record of designing, executing, and reporting on formal post-occupancy evaluations or building diagnostic studies.
• Technical & Field Skills
• • Diagnostics & Equipment: Hands-on experience with environmental testing tools (air quality sensors, thermal anemometers, sound meters, lux meters).
  • Survey & Statistics: Proficiency with survey platforms (Qualtrics, SurveyMonkey) and data analysis tools (Python, R, SPSS, or advanced Excel).
  • Data Visualization: Proven ability to build visual performance dashboards using Power BI, Tableau, or Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Illustrator).
  • BIM & Design Software: Working knowledge of Revit, Rhino, or AutoCAD to navigate project models and map spatial diagnostic data.
• Core Competencies
• • Interdisciplinary Communication: Ability to translate complex building science data into clear, compelling design strategies for non-technical stakeholders.
  • Research Rigor: Deep expertise in human-centered design research, quantitative data collection, and statistical sampling methods.
  • Project Management: Exceptional organizational skills to manage multi-site evaluation schedules, client deliverables, and field studies concurrently.

PREFERRED CREDENTIALS & CERTIFICATIONS

• Professional Certifications: LEED AP (BD+C or O+M), WELL AP, RESET Air Accredited Professional, or Fitwel Ambassador.
• BMS & Energy Tools: Experience extracting and analyzing data from Building Automation Systems (BAS/BMS) and energy benchmarking platforms (e.g., ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager).
• Ergonomics & Human Factors: Specialized knowledge in ergonomics, acoustic engineering, daylighting design, or universal design standards.

Company Description

Business leader in providing Owner's Representative services to K12 School District clients.

Company Description

Business leader in providing Owner's Representative services to K12 School District clients.