Summary
Description
*This position is grant funded through the Denver Regional Council of Government (DRCOG) Building Policy Collaborative program. The duration of this appointment is guaranteed until fall 2029.
Are you passionate about creating a sustainable future? Join our dynamic team as an Energy Efficiency Specialist, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping energy policies that drive our city towards greater sustainability. Under the guidance of the Sustainability Manager, you'll be responsible for tracking energy usage in city buildings and developing innovative strategies to enhance energy efficiency. This is a unique opportunity to lead the charge in implementing citywide building energy guidelines and a comprehensive decarbonization roadmap for both commercial and residential properties. If you're ready to make a meaningful impact by improving building performance, accelerating electrification, and supporting our climate action goals, we want to hear from you!
This role will blend policy development, technical coordination, interdepartmental collaboration with E3 and Community Development, and hold robust community engagement events and opportunities. You will be at the forefront of climate action, working with cutting-edge building technologies and sustainable practices that will shape the City.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
- Leads the City’s efforts to adopt the State of Colorado’s new energy code requirements for local governments.
- Supports the development and implementation of future energy and emissions code updates, ensuring consistency with the City’s decarbonization roadmap, and state building energy code requirements.Collaborates with E3 and Community Development to ensure all building permits and planning projects are reviewed and processed under the most current energy code.
- Supports implementation and compliance for both new construction and existing buildings through clear, accessible processes and effective internal coordination. Organizes training and certification opportunities for City staff, local contractors, homeowners, inspectors, designers, and the construction community.
- Leverages Colorado Energy Office (CEO) training funds and regional partnerships to ensure stakeholders are equipped to meet energy code requirements and adopt high-performance building practices. Coordinates and delivers communication, education, and outreach to City residents and businesses about energy efficiency, building decarbonization strategies, permitting pathways, and updates to residential and commercial building codes.
- Leads peer-to-peer and elected official engagement efforts related to the energy and emissions code updates. Prepares educational briefings, presentations, and guidance to support informed decision-making and consistent regional policy alignment.
- Collaborates with Community Development and the Building Safety Division to review building codes adopted by reference and recommends local amendments, when necessary.
- Develops and manages a community and local stakeholder communication, education, and engagement plan to support equitable adoption of energy codes and building policies. Ensures this includes outreach to historically underrepresented groups, small businesses, and renters.
- Coordinates closely with the Policy Research component of the DRCOG Climate Pollution Reduction Grant, helping shape relevant research proposals, identifying useful local data, and ensuring community needs and equity considerations are reflected in research and policy development.
- Representing the City in the DRCOG Building Policy Collaborative (attending a minimum of 75% of meetings) to help shape regional decarbonization roadmaps, policy packages, and implementation strategies, with a focus on implementation and the 2027 energy code development process.
- Integrates building decarbonization strategies into long-range planning documents such as the Resilience Plan, Sustainability Action Plan, and Strategic Plan.
- Supports city businesses and organizations in complying with Colorado’s building benchmarking and performance standards through technical assistance, outreach, and guidance.
- Creates and publishes educational case studies using examples from the community, including at least one high-impact municipal retrofit project. Demonstrates cost savings, emissions reductions, and community-wide replicability through modeling and transparent documentation.
- Interpret and apply energy codes, building performance standards, and sustainability policies. Navigate local government operations, including policy development, implementation, and compliance.
- Leads administration, documentation, and reporting requirements associated with the DRCOG Jurisdictional Support subaward. Tracks performance metrics, prepares progress reports, and coordinates with DRCOG and other funders to ensure deliverables are met and funding is maximized.
- Leads the creation and implementation of communications, dashboards, and other public-facing tools to support transparency and accountability for energy code adoption and implementation. Tracks key performance indicators and makes data-driven recommendations to improve programs and policies over time.
- Jurisdictional Support subaward. Assist with tracking performance metrics, prepares progress reports, and coordinates with DRCOG and other funders to ensure deliverables are met and funding is maximized.
- Performs other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Sustainability, Energy Policy, Environmental Policy, Natural Resource Management, Urban Planning, Public Policy, Environmental Studies, Engineering, Architecture, or a related field from an accredited college or university. Two to five years of progressively responsible experience in sustainability, energy policy, planning, code implementation, or building performance programs. To have or be able to obtain ICC Energy Inspector and Plans Examiner certification. LEED GA certification or (equivalent LEED certification). If not currently certified, certification must be obtained within six (6) months of hire. The City will provide support and resources to assist the selected candidate in obtaining the required certification. A combination of education and experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential duties of the position may be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Knowledge of
- energy codes, building performance standards, and sustainability policies
- local government operations, policy development, and implementation processes
- community engagement strategies and stakeholder management
- project management principles and grant administration
- computer hardware and software programs, including Microsoft Office, internet applications, and communications platforms
Skill in
- preparing technical reports and gathering and organizing relevant data for presentation
- developing educational materials and communication campaigns
- facilitating training sessions and public presentations
Ability to
- communicate effectively orally and in writing with diverse audiences including technical professionals, elected officials, and community members
- balance multiple projects and varying timelines/project schedules
- provide high level of customer service to citizens and applicants
- analyze complex policy issues and develop practical solutions
- work collaboratively across departments and with external partners
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, other agencies, officials and the general public
- apply analytical methods to evaluate administrative, organizational, and procedural issues
- adapt to changing regulations and emerging technologies in the sustainability field
- work independently or collaboratively, demonstrating initiative, creativity, and strong critical thinking
Equipment Used, Work Environment and Physical Activities
- Driving: May need, or have ability, to drive a city or personal vehicle in the normal course of business
- Office Equipment: Daily use of computer, keyboard, copier, scanner, printer, calculator, phone (desk and cell). Daily use of software programs including planning and design software, GIS software, and Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, Excel.
- Other Equipment: Large format printers and copiers
- Physical Activities: Sits for long periods of time; light physical activity that may include walking, standing, stooping, bending, reaching, lifting and carrying. Requires continuous and repetitive arm-hand-eye movement
- Lifting: Ability to lift, carry, and exert up to 25 pounds
- Vision and Hearing: Must have visual acuity to see and read paper and electronic documents. Must be able to answer telephones, communicate conversation and respond to verbal inquires
- Schedule: Position generally scheduled Monday – Friday; occasionally weekend work. Will require attendance at evening meetings, council sessions or after-hour events. May require attendance at off-site meetings.
- Exposure to Environmental Conditions: Position generally works in an office setting with overhead lighting and long periods of screen time. May be exposed to extreme heat, cold, dry, wet, odors, smoke, loud noises, vibrations, dust or intense light.
- Additional Working conditions: May be required to visit external, non-city work sites with the City having limited control over the work environment.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with disabilities for the essential functions of the job.
NOTE: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and qualifications. Employees are accountable for all duties associated with this position.
The City of Commerce City is an equal opportunity employer.
Featured benefits
Medical insurance, Vision insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k), Tuition assistance
