Weatherization Crew Chief Course Overview

Course goals

To prepare experienced weatherization workers to function as effective Weatherization Crew Chiefs who can meet BPI certification requirements.

Performance objectives

After completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Explain the responsibilities and activities of a weatherization Crew Chief
  • Describe and implement the best practices for motivating and communicating with weatherization crew members
  • Explain the importance of keeping track of tools and equipment maintenance and its effect on production
  • Implement practices to involve crew members in tool maintenance and accountability
  • Describe how to keep track of materials in order to ensure adequate supplies are on hand when needed
  • Develop basic schemes for warehousing materials efficiently
  • Describe the codes and rules affecting weatherization activities and some practical solutions to code and rule-related issues
  • Identify work site quality control methods and basic quality control equipment
  • Describe and implement practices for ongoing training of weatherization crew members, including one-on-one training scenarios and group problem solving
  • Explain basic workplace safety requirements and simple workplace safety management methods
  • Explain basic work order components and discuss how to correct work order errors and oversights and cope with site-discovered problems
  • Practice planning job flow
  • Set up and use a blower door to perform weatherization diagnostics
  • Demonstrate how to conduct combustion safety testing
  • Describe how to perform basic duct testing

    • Prerequisites for enrollment in the course include

  • GED minimum
  • Math skills for construction (arithmetic, high school algebra and geometry)
  • Successful completion of MassGREEN Weatherization Installer course, OR
  • RBE-WH-ALC Installer Certification or equivalent experience plus BPI Building Analyst Certification (for Building Science –students with both these certifications may complete the course in 3.5 days)
  • English language proficiency
  • CORI

    • Students

    The course is designed exclusively for students who have some background, experience, and training in weatherization installation work and a desire to move up to manage a weatherization crew. The course may also be appropriate for others with experience leading crews in the building trades who want to move into the weatherization industry; however, those individuals will also need to obtain additional training in weatherization installation skills and building science before attempting BPI RBE-WH-ALC Crew Chief certification. The additional necessary training can be obtained through the MassGREEN Weatherization Installer course and BPI Building Analyst training.

    Pre-testing

    All students will complete a written pre-test covering building science concepts and theory to verify their knowledge at the beginning of the first day of the course. Those students who do not attain a passing score of 70% or better will be directed to additional training and/or reading they must complete before attempting the BPI certification for crew chiefs.

    Course structure

  • The course consists of fourteen lessons of varying length. The course is delivered over five consecutive full days
  • Course materials are based primarily on the WAPTAC curriculum for Crew Chiefs plus selected materials in the WAPTAC Energy Auditor course. Course materials accommodate BPI standards, Massachusetts-specific information, and use hands-on exercises where needed
  • The course incorporates a combination of short lectures, discussions, and exercises. No homework is assigned

    • Lessons

    Lesson 1: Course Introduction & Role of the Crew Chief
    Lesson 2: Adult Learning Concepts/Motivation & Training
    Lesson 3: Effective Crew Management
    Lesson 4: Equipment Tracking & Maintenance
    Lesson 5: Materials Tracking
    Lesson 6: Warehousing Materials
    Lesson 7: Building & Safety Codes
    Lesson 8: Maintaining Quality Control
    Lesson 9: Ongoing Training
    Lesson 10: Safe Working Practices
    Lesson 11: Understanding a Work Order
    Lesson 12: Combustion Safety Testing
    Lesson 13: Blower Door
    Lesson 14: Ducts & Course Conclusion

    Out of scope for this course

  • Core Competencies, such as basic carpentry, drywall repair, basic tool handling
  • Weatherization skills training
  • Building science concepts and theory, house-as-a-system, etc.
  • Advanced skills or certifications such as energy audit techniques, building analysis, HERS rater, etc.
  • In-depth training on starting and running a weatherization business