CT Energy Efficiency Board Contractor Ombudsperson

The Connecticut Energy Efficiency Board (EEB), on behalf of the State of Connecticut, is soliciting proposals for a Contractor Ombudsperson to serve residential Home Energy Solutions (HES) and Home Energy Solutions Income Eligible (HES-IE) contractors in the Conservation and Load Management (C&LM) Programs. This is a three-year consulting engagement with an expected start date of January 1, 2027.

The Contractor Ombudsperson will serve as an impartial, neutral, and independent resource to improve communication, transparency, and information flow between residential program contractors, the EEB, and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP). Primary responsibilities include serving as the primary point of contact between DEEP/EEB and residential program contractors; proactively soliciting and compiling contractor feedback; tracking and supporting resolution of contractor concerns and complaints; disseminating information to contractors regarding EEB meetings and activities; providing regular updates to the EEB on contractor positions; assisting with Contractor Technical Advisory Committee (CTAC) meeting coordination; and supporting development of formal written and verbal comments from residential contractors. The role is facilitative and does not include authority to impose solutions or advocacy for any specific entity or outcome.

The anticipated monthly workload is 25 to 40 hours on average (not including travel time), with additional hours required during periods of heightened activity. The first year scope includes three major deliverables: creation of an EEB Contractor Ombudsperson Charter (estimated 40-60 hours); definition of a Contractor Engagement, Communication, and Issue Management Framework (estimated 5-10 hours for initial development and 10-15 hours per month ongoing); and support for EEB, Committee, and CTAC Meeting Coordination and Reporting (estimated 10-15 hours per month for meeting participation and 5-10 hours per month for reporting and preparation). The Contractor Ombudsperson will attend multiple recurring meetings including EEB Meetings (12 per year, 2.5 hours each), Residential Committee Meetings (11 per year, 2.5 hours each), EEB Evaluation Committee Meetings (12 per year, 2 hours each), Contractor Technical Advisory Committee Meetings (5 per year, 2 hours each), EEB Consultant Committee Meetings (5 per year, 1 hour each), EEB Leadership Calls (24 per year, 1 hour each), and Public Input Sessions (3 per year, 1 hour each).

Qualifications required include a minimum of five years of professional experience in ombudsperson work aligned with International Ombuds Association (IOA) or United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) resources and guidelines; familiarity with the EEB, Connecticut's C&LM programs, and energy efficiency or residential contracting; strong interpersonal skills with reputation in the CT Energy Efficiency contractor community; strong written and verbal communication skills; demonstrated organizational, problem-solving, and collaboration skills; preference for Connecticut location or ability to travel to in-person meetings; and complete independence from the Utilities, DEEP, and EEB (applicant must not be a current program contractor, employed by a contractor, in a contractual relationship with a contractor, or have immediate familial relationships with contractors or their employees).