BEND, OR -- Bend’s home energy score ordinance is set to go into effect July first, requiring an assessment for almost every home sold inside city limits. To help train future assessors, the city of Bend is sponsoring a Home Energy Score Assessor Boot Camp.
"The training partner is Earth Advantage. We’ll be bringing them here, locally, to Bend, to provide a portion of the training in-person. And do some in-person mentoring, which is not a typical part of the training service," says the city's Cassie Lacy, "It’s just an opportunity for people who are interested in becoming assessors but who feel they might want just a little bit more involved support than what comes with the normal licensing and training program. They can join this and have the benefit of in-person mentors and also the group cohort to support them."
She tells KBND News the Boot Camp starts with a virtual meeting on April 26 to get to know the group and trainers from Earth Advantage, "And then, there’s an online portion of the training. It takes about 8-12 hours. They’ll have four weeks to complete that. And then the most exciting part of the boot camp is on May 24th. We’ll have Earth Advantage come here to Bend; there is both a classroom portion and then a practical portion, where they go and practice scoring a home." The boot camp doesn’t cost any more than taking the online training by yourself.
Bend’s ordinance won’t go into effect if there aren’t enough assessors. Lacy says they need at least 12 to be licensed before July first. "Last we checked, we had over 20 that were signed up to go through the training program, in addition to people who are already assessors. And that was before we even launched this boot camp." And, she says, there has been a lot of interest in the class.
Previous Coverage: Home Energy Score Program Approved For Bend
The Boot Camp has a limited number of seats and priority is given to those who meet specific criteria and order of registration. Current home inspectors or appraisers, or someone who wants to start a new career can apply for the program. Participants need to obtain one of the approved relevant credentials and receive approval from the Oregon Department of Energy to attend the Boot Camp.
Click HERE to register.
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