Department Information

The 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. We do this by developing and implementing highly impactful policies and programs, establishing Colorado as a leading state for climate action. The Colorado Energy Office is a great place to work, with collaborative and talented employees who are passionate about our mission and a hybrid (work from home/work from office) atmosphere. 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 Colorado Energy Office received a $156 million award from the Environmental Protection Agency through its competitive “Solar for All” grant. The award, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, will support rooftop solar installations and community solar programs for low- and moderate-income single-family and multifamily housing across Colorado. In addition to the main program objective to deliver no and low cost solar to income qualifying residents, Colorado Solar for All will include community and stakeholder engagement, and provide workforce training models that prepare individuals from low-income and disadvantaged communities for middle-class career pathways in solar energy deployment. This funding will help accelerate widespread adoption of solar in Colorado, moving Colorado closer to the goal of 100% clean energy by 2040 while improving air quality, lowering energy bills, and increasing energy independence.

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.

Description of Job

Starting Salary Range: $75,000.12 – $85,000.24 Annually

*This position is eligible for a hybrid working arrangement with an obligation to appear in the office on a weekly basis as determined by your department's director. Expectation is to be in-person at the Denver office at least one day per week. Funding for the position is tied to the federal grant which has a period of performance through August 31, 2029.

The Colorado Solar for All (COS4A) Community Solar Program Manager will develop and manage the community solar grant program to provide solar to Colorado's most vulnerable residents who either do not own a home or otherwise do not qualify for our direct ownership programs. This position requires direct, hands-on experience in community solar program development and implementation. The expectations for this program in Colorado and nationally are high, and candidates for this position should have extensive experience in the solar industry including a deep understanding of the community solar model, project management and servicing low-income households. Given the expedited program period of five years which commenced on September 1, 2024, the Community Solar Program Manager will be critical in designing and launching new programming while using data and participant feedback to refine the program strategy for maximum impact.

Candidates for this position should demonstrate the ability to perform with a high degree of autonomy, work collaboratively on a team, have demonstrated success in navigating complicated programs with competing priorities while thinking creatively and thoughtfully to solve challenges with the larger programmatic strategy in mind. Candidates should be able to oversee multiple complex program components from initial design through full implementation in coordination with the entire Solar for All team as well as CEO’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) Home Energy Rebate and Weatherization Assistance Program teams. As a public sector position, candidates should have a desire and passion to impact the lives of Colorado’s most vulnerable residents through providing clean, affordable energy.

Responsibilities:

Program Administration

Develop plan to launch and administer a brand new community solar grant program through a per watt subsidy to developers from inception through completion
Ensure effective and efficient procurement and contracting, and establish strong partner relationships needed for successful implementation.
Assist in the grant-making process by reviewing and evaluating applications, making awards and issuing award notifications, and developing scopes of work for project contracting.
Provide grant management oversight, including regularly engaging with and supporting grantees, reviewing and approving invoices and project deliverables, ensuring successful completion of projects, and managing project close-out.
Identify and enroll eligible participants through referral from CEO’s other low-income programs and statewide outreach
Conduct research, regularly review quantitative and qualitative data including program metrics and grantee feedback, evaluate program outcomes, and modify the solar grant program as needed to ensure it achieves programmatic goals and remains responsive to the needs of partners and participants and in order to remain responsive to changing market conditions.
Ensure program compliance with state and federal grant requirements including Quality Assurance, Colorado Revised Statutes, CEO policies and procedures, the Governor’s office employee handbook, Build America Buy America, Davis-Bacon, and required reporting metrics.
On an annual basis, work with the team director and other team members on the annual planning and budgeting process.

Collaboration with Other Units and Stakeholders

Work closely with internal team members, other CEO teams (particularly the IRA Home Energy Rebate and Weatherization Assistance Programs) to plan for, launch, and continuously improve all COS4A community solar program.
Develop and maintain strong external stakeholder relationships including industry, local governments, utilities, financial institutions, community based organizations, other state agencies including the Public Utility Commission, Department of Local Affairs and formal and informal partner relationships needed for successful implementation.
Work closely with CEO’s Communications and Engagement team to develop communication and outreach strategies and materials for resident, stakeholder or partner use.
Work with CEO’s Operations team to report transaction and project level data, including state and federal reporting requirements.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, business, construction management, public policy, engineering or related field.
- Substitutions: additional, appropriate professional experience may be substituted for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis
At least three years of experience developing, managing, and refining programs required, preferably in the renewable energy or nonprofit sectors
At least three years of experience working in community solar
Familiarity with federal and state renewable energy policies, especially Solar for All
Experience working with low-income or underserved communities
Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills including strong written, oral and presentation communication skills
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Excellent written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
Passion for working in the public sector.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in related field
Fluency in Spanish
Technical knowledge of solar PV systems and community energy planning
Experience with grant management and reporting, particularly with the Environmental Protection Agency.
Knowledge of energy financing, consumer protections, or quality assurance.

Supplemental Information

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)
12 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 gov_hr@state.co.us.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.