Senior Energy Policy Advisor – Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

With competitive pay, great benefits, and endless opportunities, working for the City and County of Denver means seeing yourself working with purpose — for you, and those who benefit from your passion, skills, and expertise. Join our diverse, inclusive, and talented workforce of more than 11,000 team members who are at the heart of what makes Denver, Denver.

About the role

The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency’s (CASR) vision is to build a carbon pollution-free, sustainable, and resilient Denver for all. Guided by science and shaped by community input, CASR delivers bold solutions through policies, programs, and capital projects that reduce emissions, advance environmental justice, and strengthen climate resilience. Our portfolio includes beneficial electrification, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy storage, climate adaptation, community resilience, nature-based solutions, natural resource conservation, embodied carbon, waste reduction and diversion, communications, community engagement, and workforce development—all with a strong focus on equity. This work is driving measurable progress toward a healthier, more sustainable Denver for generations to come.

CASR’s Energy Policy Team is housed within the Climate Action Division, which works to equitably meet Denver’s energy and transportation needs with affordable, reliable, and carbon-free systems. The team is focused on advancing meaningful decarbonization policies through advocacy before state regulatory authorities and partnership with the city’s energy utility provider. Success requires active coordination across CASR, other city agencies, and city leadership — in addition to engagement with partner organizations and an array of stakeholder groups.

CASR is looking to fill two positions as Senior Energy Policy Advisor. In this position, you will be a key member of the Energy Policy Team, reporting to the Lead Energy Policy Administrator. You will be a key contributor to the team’s advocacy at the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), support its engagement on state and local legislative matters, and represent the city across a range of stakeholders. You will be a highly motivated and innovative individual with expertise in PUC advocacy and decarbonization policy, including energy efficiency, electrification, and energy systems planning. You will be a thought-leader and a clear communicator, representing the city before utilities, government staff, advocacy organizations, industry associations, and community organizations.

Responsibilities

• Provide thought-leadership, technical expertise, and analysis on matters related to energy-, building-, and transportation-system decarbonization to develop short- and long-term energy policy initiatives and priorities.
• Serve as a key contributor to Denver’s engagement in relevant regulatory proceedings at the PUC, which includes reviewing filings, drafting testimony, appearing as an expert witness, and participating in settlement negotiations with relevant parties.
• Coordinate with staff from CASR and other city agencies to solicit input and incorporate feedback into CASR’s advocacy.
• Serve as an expert resource across CASR disciplines by performing legislative and/or policy analysis of emerging issues or proposed policies, such as those that arise in PUC proceedings, Xcel Energy programs, state regulation, and legislation.
• Develop resources and memos to brief management and leadership, including the identification of concerns, solutions to address concerns, and strategy recommendations to guide thoughtful decision-making.
• Develop and deliver presentations on relevant topics across a variety of settings.
• Identify opportunities to supplement Energy Program capacity with external resources, develop requests for proposals, and manage certain contracts.
• Communicate and engage regularly with internal and external stakeholders, including representatives of various city agencies, community and business groups, the public, media organizations, and other stakeholders in a professional and clear manner.
• Ensure that the transition to clean energy services is affordable, equitable, and inclusive of under-resourced communities, low-income households, and other underrepresented and historically marginalized groups.
• Perform other duties that may arise.

Requirements

• Experience in energy policy with a focus on utility regulation and state utility regulatory commission practices and procedures.
• Depth of technical knowledge and data analysis related to utility energy infrastructure, utility regulatory structures, and building & transportation electrification systems.
• Strong project management experience with ability to push through barriers to deliver exceptional results on time.
• Empathy, tact, and political savvy to identify and respond according to the internal and external politics and unique issues that impact Denver’s energy policy objectives.
• An ability to influence, persuade, and negotiate with representatives from a variety of City agencies and external organizations in a collaborative manner to find mutually acceptable solutions to complex problems.
• Experience incorporating the perspectives of multiple communities, including under-represented communities and historically marginalized groups in the consideration of impacts and outcomes of a decision-making process.
• Willingness to grow professionally, develop innovative solutions to problems, and change processes or procedures to accomplish objectives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, and ability to present to diverse audiences.
• Results-oriented, self-driven to contribute to a high performing team.
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities or volunteer for special projects.

Qualifications

Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in a related field.

Experience Requirement: Five (5) years’ experience performing full performance professional level duties within a specialized, functional area. (This does not include clerical experience.)

Education/Experience Equivalency: One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education. Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.

License/Certifications: None. Note: While a driver’s license is not required, these positions may need to attend in-person events around Denver. The individuals must arrange for transportation to attend such events should they arise.

Benefits

We offer generous benefits for full-time employees which include but are not limited to:

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 12 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday, 1 Wellness Day, and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

Pay

The salary range for this position is $90,000.00 - $115,000.00.

Schedule

The City and County of Denver supports a hybrid workplace model. Employees work where needed, at a job site 3 days per week and off-site as needed. The Office of Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency requires 3 days in office at the Wellington Webb Municipal Building, located at 201 W. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80202. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days.