Energy & Sustainability Specialist

This is a term-limited position funded through September 30, 2029. This full-time position is benefits eligible.

The Energy & Sustainability Specialist is a first of its kind, transformational role in the city. This position develops and implements innovative policies, strategies, and actions to achieve the energy, decarbonization, and sustainability goals of the City of Littleton. The Energy & Sustainability Specialist coordinates with community stakeholders and external organizations in these efforts.

The position supports and reports to the Sustainability Coordinator to achieve three core outcomes: lead energy code and building decarbonization policy development and implementation, provide technical assistance and capacity building across city divisions, and support and implement city-wide energy and decarbonization programs. This unique role blends policy development, technical coordination, intradepartmental collaboration, and robust community engagement.

This is a full-time, benefited term-limited position. This position is grant-funded through the Denver Regional Council of Government (DRCOG) Building Policy Collaborative sub-award grant program, and the duration of this appointment is three years (through September 2029). In the unexpected occurrence that grant funds are rescinded before the term concludes, this position may be terminated.

About the City of Littleton

The City of Littleton is a vibrant community consistently recognized as one of America’s Best Small Cities, and a top destination for families. Discover some of the remarkable things Littleton has to offer at VisitLittleton.org. With its historic and lively downtown, diverse shopping and dining options, and an extensive network of parks and trails, Littleton boasts a prime location just south of Denver and a short drive to the majestic Rocky Mountains and Colorado ski country. The City of Littleton offers excellent benefits and perks to its employees. For more details, please refer to the 2026 Benefit Guide.

The City of Littleton believes in attracting and retaining the best talent, and its strategies include offering competitive pay and investing in employee growth and development opportunities.

In addition to your application, please submit a cover letter that describes why you are the best candidate for this position with the City of Littleton.

Hiring pay range $75,000 - $90,000 per year. The starting range of pay is dependent on qualifications and experience of each individual candidate.

This full-time position is exempt per FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Work Schedule: The City of Littleton's business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Schedule flexibility, including a combination of remote and in-office working, may be considered.

Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted until finalists are identified or the position is filled, but preference will be given to complete applications received by October 5, 2026. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and lead building electrification strategies for residential, commercial, and municipal properties.
  • Support the Public Works Facilities Division with planning for and reducing the city’s municipal building emissions.
• Integrate building decarbonization strategies into long-range planning documents, such as the upcoming Resilience and Adaptation Plan
• Ability to understand, analyze, and provide recommendations around the following codes:
  • City of Littleton's City Code
  • 2024 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC)
  • Colorado Low Energy and Carbon Code
  • 2025 Metropolitan Regional Building Policy Cohort Roadmap to Zero Emissions for New Construction
• Assist with the management of vendor or consultant contracted related to electrification studies, embodied carbon, outreach, or retrofit projects.
  • Conduct embodied carbon policy analysis alongside consultants and develop recommendations
• Manage grant reporting, activity tracking, and compliance activities required by the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Building Policy Collaborative sub-award grant program.
• Evaluate overall program effectiveness, recommending and implementing design or development changes.
  • Track key performance indicators and make data-driven recommendations to improve programs and policies over time.
• Identify and support grant applications and funding opportunities to expand electrification programs.
• Develop and deliver outreach materials, workshops, and events to educate residents, businesses, and city staff on the benefits of the program.
• Represent the city at community events, workshops, and tabling opportunities.
• Solicit feedback from community members and stakeholders to improve program delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with property owners, managers, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Collaborate with the Green Business Program Coordinator on electrification efforts for commercial properties.
• Work close with the city’s building department to understand regulatory opportunities and challenges.
  • Support the Building Division and Community Development Department with energy code and decarbonization considerations.
• Participate in Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) Building Policy Collaborative (BPC) working groups.
• Serve as the primary subject matter expert on building electrification.
• Stay current on relevant technologies, code enforcement, rebate programs, and funding opportunities (e.g., heat pumps, electric appliances, Inflation Reduction Act incentives).
• Conduct research to identify electrification opportunities and challenges.
• Share field experience with internal city staff to help shape policy and education.
• Stay up-to-date on Building Performance Standards from the State.
• Maintain and expand knowledge of building science, electrification technologies, and customer engagement best practices.
• Other relevant duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college with coursework in Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Sustainability, Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Renewable Resources, Natural Resource Management, or a related field; and
• Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in development and administration of energy policy and code initiatives or related sustainability programs; or
• An equivalent combination of formal education, training, and work experience that produces the knowledge, skill, and ability to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position.
• Must be able to pass a pre-employment criminal background check. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Energy Manager (Preferred or willing to pursue)
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate or Accredited Professional (Preferred or willing to pursue)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES:

• Ability to work with limited supervision on complex, self-directed projects, and work as part of a team.
• Familiarity with clean energy technologies such as heat pumps, induction stoves, and electric water heaters.
• Familiar with all aspects of energy codes, including various compliance pathways, implementation, measurement and verification, and the development of codes.
• Contract management and/or program management experience.
• Project management: able to manage sustainability and climate projects from start to finish, including planning, budgeting, implementation, and evaluation.
• Communication and collaboration: able to communicate effectively with local officials, community members, businesses, and other stakeholders about energy, electrification, and decarbonization, and work collaboratively to develop and implement solutions.
• Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations: have a good understanding of the relevant laws, regulations, and policies related to electrification and decarbonization, and ensure that the local government's initiatives comply with these requirements.
• Effective community outreach and presentation skills, specifically as they relate to racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse audiences.
• Proficient word processing, spreadsheet, database, and desktop publishing skills (i.e., Microsoft Office) with the ability to learn additional database systems.
• Ability to travel to events located throughout Littleton and work after business hours, as needed.  

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES:

Work is sedentary in nature and requires sufficient physical stamina and strength for:

• Constant sitting to perform daily tasks; occasional walking through a multilevel facility to retrieve information; frequent standing, sometimes for extended periods
• Frequent lifting, carrying, and pushing and/or pulling of up to ten (10) pounds to move material and supplies; occasional lifting and pushing and/or pulling of up to twenty-five (25) pounds with dollies and carts
• Work is constantly performed indoors. This is primarily sedentary office work with numerous visits to businesses and other organizations. Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, including the ability to retrieve information from various locations in the office when needed. Exposure to periods of high activity and stress under demanding conditions. The position requires a great deal of communication with city employees, the public, and outside agencies.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The City of Littleton is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and intends to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and job applicants regardless of age 40 and over, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, pregnancy, race, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, military status, or any other status protected by applicable law, and to hire and retain the best-qualified individuals without regard to any of these factors. This prohibition includes unlawful harassment based on a protected class. 

The City of Littleton will consider reasonable accommodations throughout the recruitment process and employment. Applicants and employees can request an accommodation by contacting Human Resources at 303-795-3857 or emailing [email protected].

Drug- and Alcohol-Free Workplace

The City of Littleton is committed to the health and safety of all its employees. To ensure a safe and productive work environment the city prohibits the use, sale, dispensation, manufacture, distribution or possession of alcohol, drugs, controlled substances or drug paraphernalia on any city premises or worksites. No employee shall report to work or be at work with alcohol or with any detectable amount of prohibited drugs in the employee's system. A detectable amount refers to the standards generally used in workplace drug & alcohol testing. This prohibition specifically includes marijuana, and decriminalized psychedelics whether used for medical purposes or obtained legally under state law.