Associate Director for Building Decarbonization

This mission of the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumer energy costs by advancing clean energy, energy efficiency and zero emission vehicles to benefit all Coloradans. The Colorado Energy Office is a great place to work, with collaborative and talented employees who are passionate about our mission and a flexible hybrid (work from home/work from office) atmosphere. Employees report high satisfaction with their work, their colleagues and manager, and CEO leadership. Join us!

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. Governor’s Office staff should demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in the workplace to fulfill the promise of a Colorado For All. Staff are expected to participate in learning opportunities and training to increase their knowledge around EDIA, have a growth mindset, and embed new learnings and skills into daily business practices. Creating inaccessible digital content such as web pages, emails, presentations, or documents leaves the state open to fines up to $3,500 based on the language in House Bill 21-110. Staff should strive to make all digital content accessible using provided accessibility resources. 

Starting Salary: $95,014.40 - $120,016.00 Annually

*This position is eligible for a hybrid working arrangement. Hybrid positions are expected to be present at the office location for no less than one day per work week.

General Duties and Responsibilities

The Associate Director for Building Decarbonization Policy is a critical leadership role responsible for steering Colorado's built environment toward its climate goals. This position oversees a comprehensive portfolio aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from residential, commercial, and public buildings.

The Associate Director will lead strategic policy implementation, manage regulatory frameworks, and oversee the successful execution of statewide building energy codes, Building Performance Standards (BPS), and residential and commercial energy efficiency initiatives. A primary responsibility includes acting as the principal agency liaison and operational leader for two critical state boards: the Energy Code Board (ECB) and the newly established Building Decarbonization Enterprise Fund (BDEF) Board.

Key Responsibilities

• Building Decarbonization Enterprise (BDE) Board: Oversee the administration, rulemaking support, and strategic direction of the 9-member BDE Board (established under HB25-1269). Support the deployment of the BDE Fund to provide technical and financial assistance to covered building owners.

• Energy Code Board (ECB): Direct joint initiatives with the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to maintain, review, and recommend state energy codes. Facilitate ongoing compliance collaborations and coordinate stakeholder engagement with builders, code officials, utilities, and climate advocates.

• Model Code Implementation: Drive local jurisdiction adoption of advanced building standards, ensuring compliance with the Model Low Energy and Carbon Code (MLECC), which becomes mandatory for jurisdictions updating codes after July 1, 2026.

• Technical Assistance & Toolkits: Oversee the delivery of free technical assistance, training, and resources to municipal and county governments to transition to the 2021 IECC, Colorado Model Electric-Ready and Solar-Ready Code, MLECC, and the voluntary Model Green Code.

• Program Team Supervision: Guide and mentor a dedicated team of program managers and technical specialists.

• Building Performance Colorado (BPC) Program: Oversee the compliance framework for the statewide BPC program, regulating commercial, public, and multifamily buildings 50,000 square feet and larger.

• Emissions Reductions Targets: Ensure the program stays on track to hit sector-wide emission reduction targets. 

• Data & Compliance Infrastructure: Manage data workflows via the BEAM platform and ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager®. Support program staff with oversight of the BPC Help Center vendors and establish formal methodologies for compliance pathway adjustments, individualized targets, and utility data aggregation access.

• Policy: Support the BPC program team with evaluating and developing policy decisions for the program, including future BPC rulemakings with CDPHE and the Air Quality Control Commission.

• Program Team Supervision: Guide and mentor a dedicated team of program managers and technical specialists. Engage with external stakeholders and lead decision-making activities.  

• Program Scaling: Lead the expansion of statewide residential efficiency  and electrification initiatives.

• Market Transformation: Drive initiatives to accelerate the adoption of heat pumps, thermal energy networks, and neighborhood-scale decarbonization models in collaboration with community partners and utilities.

• Program Team Support: Assist the unit director and senior program managers in implementation and success of residential initiatives, identifying areas of collaboration within other  office, utility, and state programs. 

• Directly manage a high-performing team of program managers focused on: building energy codes; building performance standards; and new market initiatives and studies, policy analysts, and technical specialists.

• Represent the Colorado Energy Office in public forums, legislative hearings, rulemakings, and working groups.

• Foster strong equity-centered partnerships with local governments, disproportionately impacted communities, labor organizations, and industry stakeholders.

• Work alongside the unit director to facilitate meetings, team building, culture and unit growth.

• Ensure programmatic budgets are up-to-date, balanced though establishing a team process and regular cadence of meetings with CEO finance/grants department.

• Foster an environment of open communications and thinking while ensuring the psychological safety of staff.

Minimum Qualifications  

• 5-7 years of professional experience or a bachelor’s degree in a related field and 3 years of professional experience.

• Knowledge of residential and commercial energy programs, utility energy priorities, and other building decarbonization policies.

• Knowledge of building decarbonization policy mechanisms, including building energy codes and building performance standards.

• Experience leading complex and multifaceted stakeholder groups.

• Highly motivated and detail oriented.

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills.

• Team player with excellent interpersonal, listening, and diplomacy skills to build positive relationships.

• Demonstrates a high level of initiative and strong work ethic. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

• Strong time management and organizational skills.

• Excellent computer skills, including the Microsoft Office suite and Google suite

• Demonstrated interest in the mission of the Colorado Energy Office.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge about energy issues in Colorado strongly preferred.

• Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.

To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.  

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)

• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)

• 11 paid holidays per year

• Medical and dental plans

• State paid life insurance policy of $50,000

• Choice of 2 retirement plans

• 401K and 457 plans

• State paid Short Term Disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Credit Union Membership

• RTD pass

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. 

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.  If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Director of Human Resources) at [email protected].

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.