Last Updated on April 18, 2023 by Admin
The US Green Building Council’s LEED program is one of the most widely used green building certification standards globally. Read more about the LEED auditor job description, roles and responsibilities, LEED accreditations, and salary details.
LEED is an acronym that stands for “Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.” LEED is a framework for healthful, highly efficient, and cost-effective green buildings that apply to practically all building types. LEED is the world’s most popular green building rating system.
LEED certification is a worldwide recognized mark of excellence and leadership in sustainability. LEED includes unique rating systems for various projects, including schools, retail stores, and healthcare institutions. Rating systems are available for new construction and substantial renovations and existing structures.
The program aims to educate and guide architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, private sector executives, and government officials who work with structures to create or convert spaces to environmental sustainability.
Table of Contents
What is LEED?
The US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) program is an eco-friendly building certification scheme (USGBC). LEED focuses on five critical aspects of environmental and human health performance: energy efficiency, indoor environmental quality, materials selection, sustainable site development, and water conservation.
The USGBC defines LEED as “a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings” that “provides building owners and operators with the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings’ performance,” according to the organization’s website.
Green building is the process of planning, constructing, and operating buildings to consume fewer resources, produce less waste, have a lower environmental effect, and have lower life cycle costs to maximize productivity and improve occupant health.
LEED is a third-party certification indicating a building or complex was built and constructed with the following criteria in mind:
- Maximum energy savings
- Water efficiency
- Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
- Improved indoor air quality
- Increased use of recyclable materials
- Optimal resource usage and sensitivity to their effects
- Lower maintenance and operation expenses
Related Posts:
- All you want to know about Green Building and Green Construction
- What is Sustainable Construction and Development
- The State of Sustainable Construction in 2022
- 12 Innovations in Green Construction Technology Happening Today
- 8 Tips to Reduce and Recycle Waste on Your Construction Site
How do I become a LEED Auditor/LEED Green Associate?
If you are an Indian professional seeking LEED certification, you must study LEED standards thoroughly to pass an accreditation exam. There are no prerequisites for taking the examination. After completing the exam, you can acquire a LEED Green Associate or a LEED Accredited Professional (AP).
The GBRI association explains the exam facts, such as the syllabus, Prometric centers, preparation for this exam, and exam advice.
Check out these valuable resources;
How to prepare for the LEED AP exam
Tips to Pass the LEED Green Associate exam
The LEED accreditation scheme is divided into six categories:
1. LEED Green Associate – Whether you’re a student, new graduate, or professional, this is the first step toward establishing yourself as a serious green building specialist.
2. LEED AP Building Design + Construction — This certification is for professionals with experience in green building projects’ design and construction phases. It contains criteria for both new construction and extensive renovations.
3. LEED AP Operations + Maintenance – This certification is for professionals responsible for implementing sustainable practices, increasing efficiency, and lowering environmental impact in existing buildings through improved operations and maintenance.
4. LEED AP Interior Design + Construction — Designed primarily for tenants leasing a piece of a larger structure, this rating system benefits those involved in designing, constructing, and upgrading commercial interiors and tenant spaces.
5. LEED AP Neighbourhood Development – The first national program for neighborhood design, this category incorporates the ideas of smart growth, urbanism, and green building.
6. LEED AP Houses — This certification was created primarily for single and multi-family residential structures with three stories or less. It was made for individuals involved in designing and constructing healthy, long-lasting homes that use fewer resources and produce less waste.
Why should you choose LEED as a career option?
LEED Green Associates are experts in today’s sustainable building concepts and standards, such as LEED, life cycle assessment, and integrative design. The test allows everyone to demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to environmentally responsible design and development.
Jobs in the green sector are in high demand.
Employers are seeking trained workers fluent in today’s sustainability approach and practises, and passing your LEED Green Associate test certifies your green building competence and LEED knowledge, putting you in that category.
Studying for the LEED Green Associate exam can help you better understand sustainability.
Studying for the LEED Green Associate test is an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the subject matter and achieve expertise across a wide range of sustainability themes, including transportation, energy, water, and air quality if you’re new to green building.
Several members of the Marketing and Communications Department at the USGBC took the exam to improve the quality and engagement of their LEED material.
Earning your certificate gives you access to an international network of environmentalists.
When you obtain your LEED Green Associate credential, you join a worldwide network of professionals committed to better building that provides us with brighter, healthier places to live, work, and play.
LEED Auditor Job description
Those interested in working in the sustainability field usually start by checking into educational requirements, certifications, and licensure. Then they hunt for job titles that match. If you’re looking for a job after earning your LEED certification, these are some of the titles you’ll come across:
- Energy Solutions Development Consultant
- Energy and Sustainability Analyst
- Sustainability Project CoordinatorEnergy Analyst
- Building Sustainability Consultant
- Data Centre Construction Project Manager
- Designer & Documentation Specialist
It’s usually a LEED Project Manager or LEED Sustainability Consultant when LEED comes in a job description. In each of these circumstances, the team member will be directly involved with managing LEED project documentation and/or advising LEED project members on sustainable building ideas to implement.
These skills and competencies can help to become LEED Auditor:
- An in-depth understanding of sustainability, building science, integrated design, and LEED criteria is required.
- In-depth understanding of certification standards (LEED, BREEM, LBC, and others) and their application to Federal, Healthcare, and Science and Technology initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to work on numerous projects each year, completing work plans and deliverables as specified.
- Demonstrated ability to prioritize one’s own and others’ work to fulfill deadlines and deliver excellent service to clients.
- Self-starter with the capacity to execute work obligations proactively.
Practical communication skills, both verbally and in writing. Writing, grammar, punctuation, spelling, and proofreading skills are excellent. - The enthusiastic, outspoken personality that will motivate project teams
Willingness to work unscheduled overtime when necessary. - There will be some travel involved.
- Understanding of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and IPD (Integrated Project Delivery) (IDP).
- Proficiency in the following computer skills’ basic technical skills:
- Skills are essential for MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator).
Equest, Energy Plus, Climate Consultant, DIVA, Radiance, DAYSIM, Sefaira, and other early energy and daylight modeling software experience - Experience with Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, and Sketchup is a plus.
- Grasshopper, Ladybug, and Honeybee knowledge is desired.
- GaBi experience in life cycle evaluation (or ability to learn)
- Be familiar with green construction standards, ISO standards relating to sustainability, life cycle assessment; and
- Be familiar with green product certifications.
- Familiarity with the Company’s manufacturing processes and product knowledge
LEED Auditor’s role and responsibilities
Being LEED Auditor, these roles and responsibilities need to be followed:
- Assist with sustainable design analysis, conceptual parametric energy modeling, sustainable consulting, sustainable project management, proposal preparation, LEED Project Administration, and compliance reporting.
- Work with the firm’s Energy Analysis team to develop in-house parametric tools for web visualization platforms.
- Consult on LEED and sustainable projects with several internal design teams.
- Assist clients, engineers, and contractors with the application of sustainable design.
- Provide sustainable design input to design teams on projects, ensuring consistent and high-quality design throughout the studio. Support in-house project technical and sustainable design assessments.
- Assist in developing and delivering sustainable design presentations to clients and coordinating consultant work to meet design objectives.
- Assisting in building and non-building consulting projects with external clients and participating in firm-wide sustainable design and consulting projects.
- Assists in the implementation of the office’s green operations plan.
- Maintains fee and workload predictions for assigned projects.
Salary Details
The average salary of a LEED auditor in the USA is $83000, which ranges from $73400 to $93000.
The average salary of a LEED auditor in India is Rs 637000, ranging from Rs 410000 to Rs 910000.
Final Thought
To become a LEED professional, all required is to pass the exam; no further requirements are required. In addition, the knowledge base in this sector is extensive, which makes this a fascinating professional path. This field has a bigger number of job openings. With more experience, you can advance to a higher-level position. Because every organization is moving toward green technology, this profession will become more popular in the future.
