SPARK Senior Program Manager

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 Range: $85,009.60 - $100,006.40 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.

The US Department of Energy has announced its intent to award the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) a $250 million grant through the Speed to Power through Accelerated Reconductoring and other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades (SPARK) initiative. CEO is hiring a Senior Program Manager to oversee the negotiation of the award agreement between CEO and the Department of Energy. This person will also oversee negotiations with Xcel Energy, the key partner organization and main subgrantee on the agreement. Once the award is final, this role will transition to a senior program management and oversight role. An ideal candidate will have experience managing federal funds, working on federal procurement, negotiating, executing and overseeing large contracts, and managing complex, multi-party projects.

General Duties and Responsibilities

Award Negotiation and Contracting

• Manage the negotiation of award between the US Department of Energy and the Colorado Energy Office, getting from award to contract no later than April 2027.

• Coordinate internal budgeting and planning processes to ensure adequate funding coverage for staff responsibilities throughout the project including hiring up to four additional program managers and compliance staff in spring 2027.

• Develop staffing and hiring plans including a staged hiring process based on contract tasks and milestones.

• Ensure that all necessary documentation including new or synthesized documents is provided in timely and accurate manner in back and forth for contract negotiations 

• Manage the negotiation of agreement between Colorado Energy Office and Xcel Energy, the key partner and main subgrantee (and recipient of the majority of the federal fund award)

• Work with CEO’s Operations team to prepare to comply with federal regulations and reporting required by the grant for Build American Buy American (BABA), Davis Bacon requirements, 2 CFR 200, and others as applicable.

• Other tasks as needed to ensure successful negotiation and contracting 

Grant Implementation

• Review and approve subrecipient/vendor invoices and project deliverables, and achievement of milestones against contract terms to ensure project success.

• Rigorously monitor grantee performance, track key performance indicators, and ensure adherence to contract scopes and timelines.

• Conduct monitoring as required by the contract including programmatic and financial reviews, desk audits, administrative monitoring, and site visits

• Ensure compliance with state and federal grant rules, including Build America Buy America, Davis-Bacon, and Code of Federal Regulations (2 CFR 200)

• Complete required quarterly, semi-annual, and annual federal/state reporting.

• Partner with the Governor’s Office and other state agencies including Attorney General's Office, Public Utilities Commission, and others.

• Maintain ongoing, responsive communication with local governments, property owners, and other key stakeholders.

Staff Management

• This position may (eventually) be required to supervise and mentor direct reports, support ongoing training and professional development, and assist in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new team members.

• Create an environment in which team members are valued and successful, and support attainment of CEO’s mission and vision.

• Take steps to create a culture of performance management, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Minimum Qualifications

• At least four years of professional experience working on the procurement, contract negotiation, implementation, or management of federal funds (representing either a federal agency or grantee)

• Direct experience with federal compliance including BABA, DBRA, NEPA, and other federal regulations

• Experience developing project scopes of work and budgets

• Proven ability to work independently. 

• Legal/technical writing experience.  

• Must possess a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with strict deadlines.

• Ability to multi-task and maintain a tracked workflow in order to put aside projects that do not have a ready solution for items that require immediate attention.

• Forward thinking - ability to plan and prepare based on information received. 

• Experienced in SalesForce, MS Office Suite to include Excel and Google Workspace.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working with or for the Department of Energy

• Experience with State of Colorado contracting, invoicing, and project management

• Experience working on transmission and grid infrastructure projects

• Experience managing staff

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.