Certified Sustainable Building Operator (CSBO)

Building operators and managers run and maintain their buildings on a daily basis with the goal of resolving issues and keeping tenants satisfied. Whether in commercial, institutional, or industrial facilities, building operators typically ensure that building heating, cooling, mechanical, and electrical equipment operates effectively. The also prepare the facility for seasonal changes, perform repairs and maintenance checks, ensure compliance with codes, and monitor safety hazards. While some building operators may have a diploma or certification, CIET’s Certified Sustainable Building Operator designation is designed to provide both new and established building operators and managers with a deeper understanding of the impacts of building mechanical and electrical systems on energy use, operational costs, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

This five-day certification program presents a holistic view of sustainable building operations. Through this program, participants have the opportunity to improve their technical expertise, job skills, and awareness about core areas such as heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems, controls, electrical and mechanical systems, building energy performance, O&M best practices, and GHG emission reduction strategies as well as the incorporate smart technologies. Upon completion of the course and by passing the exam, participants earn an impactful designation that certifies their understanding of sustainable approaches to building operations.

After training with CIET, building operation teams report significant operations savings, improved tenant satisfaction, reduced GHG emissions, and better transfer of skills and knowledge from senior building operators to other colleagues. The CSBO program is an effective way to embed and reinforce important technical and sustainable O&M concepts within a team. It also helps staff continue to support energy retrofits, GHG reductions, and management to thereby ensure project successes rather than letting the newly acquired knowledge and skills fade over time. 

• The CSBO designation is earned by passing an examination comprised of 150 multiple-choice questions. 
• Participants have up to three hours to complete the examination. 
• The examination is proctored on the afternoon of the fifth day of the course. 

In this course, you will learn to

• Optimize electrical and mechanical systems and controls. 
• Identify building energy loads and end-use consumption. 
• Analyze building energy use by using benchmarking concepts.   
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency by utilizing best practices and tools (BAS, data analytics). 
• Apply sustainable O&M strategies. 
• Develop building GHG emissions and strategies to achieve net zero emissions. 
• Comprehend smart grids, smart buildings, AI technologies, and their applications in buildings. 

This course is ideal for

• New and existing building/facility operators 
• Building supervisors and managers 
• Building maintenance staff 
• Technologists, specialists, and tradespeople (lighting, HVAC, others) 
• Building engineers 
• Service providers in the commercial building industry 
• Third-party building management vendors