Policy Advisor, 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 Policy Advisor, Building Decarbonization develops and oversees the implementation of cutting-edge building policy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Colorado. This role provides critical support for Colorado’s Home Energy Rebates program, Heat Pump Tax Credits, Building Performance Colorado, and building decarbonization initiatives within the Colorado Energy Office (CEO). Additionally, the position drives strategic policy development and alignment across statewide building energy and electrification programs and regulatory advocacy for utility programs, while evaluating new initiatives for residential and commercial sectors.

1. Regulatory Affairs & Strategic Policy Development

• Legislative Strategy: Collaborate with the CEO Policy unit to draft and comment on legislation on building decarbonization policy, ensuring the alignment and advancement of building energy programs and statewide decarbonization goals.

• Regulatory Strategy: Collaborate with the CEO Policy unit to support the drafting of testimony for PUC or AQCC proceedings, including reviewing testimony, providing analysis, and helping with development of testimony to ensure alignment and advancement of building energy programs and statewide decarbonization goals.

• Research & Reporting: Support the production of technical reports, market research, and policy studies to advance the Office’s agenda, including managing external contractors when required. Specifically, leading the development of the Electrification Strategic Plan, leading/supporting EPC Market Study, and planning for implementation of the Advanced Building Study to advance decarbonization goals.

• Unit Strategy: Facilitate strategic goal setting across the Building Decarbonization unit programs, and help develop, monitor, and report on progress toward programmatic operational measures and goals.

• Statutory Tracking: Analyze and track statewide policy implementation under Colorado’s GHG Pollution Reduction Roadmap 2.0, monitoring statutory changes from the General Assembly that impact the Building Decarbonization Enterprise (BDE) and the state’s 2030 building emission targets.

2. Program Implementation & Coordination

• Residential Coordination: Advise on CEO’s implementation of the State’s residential energy programs, including coordinating with the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA), Colorado Division of Housing (DOH), and local housing authorities.  

• Incentive Optimization: Support the strategic deployment and alignment of the state's Home Energy Rebates program, Heat Pump Tax Credits, and related residential efficiency financing mechanisms.

• Regulated Buildings: Advise on Building Performance Colorado policy and implementation and programs serving regulated buildings including those funded by the Building Decarbonization Enterprise. 

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Contribute to broader CEO initiatives within workforce development, technology deployment, and investment groups on market-transformation issues related to buildings.

3. Local Government Alignment & Technical Assistance

• Jurisdictional Support: Work directly with local jurisdictions to support the adoption of climate-related programs and policies.

• Inter-Agency Alignment: Partner closely with CEO’s Local Government unit to develop and distribute best practice guidance and policy toolkits for municipal leaders.

4. Stakeholder Engagement, Equity, & Communications

• Equity-Centered Engagement: Facilitate stakeholder engagement with local governments, utilities, and labor groups, prioritizing deployment strategies for Disproportionately Impacted (DI), Low-Income (LI), and Just Transition (JT) communities.

• External Representation: Competently manage external relationships with public and private sector partners, representing CEO in building, utility, or other stakeholder group meetings. Specifically, the Building Decarbonization Network, Beneficial Electrification League - CO, Denver Regional Council of Governments, Northern Colorado Partners for Clean Energy, and the Front Range Beneficial Electrification Network.

• National Advocacy: Represent CEO in collaborative national building decarbonization policy development and advancement efforts to share best practices and align regional strategies.

• Public Communications: Partner with CEO communications staff to prepare collateral resources that support the advancement of building decarbonization policies across Colorado, including newsletters, presentations, and educational resources.

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.