Associate Director, Solar for All.

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 will receive a $156 million award from the Environmental Protection Agency through its “Solar for All” competition. The award, which is part of the Inflation Reduction Act Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, will support rooftop solar installations and community solar programs for single-family and multifamily housing in low- and moderate-income Colorado communities. This funding will help accelerate widespread adoption of rooftop 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.

Description Of Job

Starting Salary Range: $90,000.04 – $110,000.02 Annually

• This position is eligible for an hybrid and/or remote working arrangement.

Role

The Associate Director of Colorado Solar For All will help develop, lead and manage CEO’s Solar for All (COS4A) program. Colorado’s awarded Solar for All proposal is a complex set of program offerings, financial tools, workforce development, and community engagement initiatives. Given the short planning period of six months and overall program period of five years, the Associate Director will be critical in helping the Director hire and organize a dynamic team while coordinating closely with other CEO units and a variety of stakeholders including industry, local governments, utilities, and community-based organizations.

The expectations for this program in Colorado and nationally are high, and candidates for this position should have extensive experience in one or more of the following: workforce development, affordable housing, community engagement and ideally an understanding of the solar industry, market and legislation. Candidates should also have experience working with a variety of stakeholders and managing competing policy and programmatic objectives. This position will manage a dynamic team, develop and implement a brand new program, and ensure compliance with federal regulations.

Responsibilities

Personnel Management

• Support Director in hiring and organizing a new team, fostering a collaborative, supportive environment in which employees are valued and effective, and working toward attainment of CEO’s mission and the COS4A program’s goals and objectives.
• Supervise and mentor program staff and other direct reports, support ongoing training and professional development for all team members, and assist in recruitment, hiring, and onboarding of new team members.

Programming Planning and Oversight

• In addition to the main program objective to deliver no and low cost solar to low-income residents and disadvantaged communities, the associate director will support the execution of a robust workforce development program, facilitate tax credit integration, spearhead community-led and designed pilot projects, and oversee consumer protections and quality assurance.
• In collaboration with CEO’s Communications and Engagement team, develop communications strategies to uplift and support the implementation of the COS4A program, taking advantage of statewide networks, as well as creating and providing communication materials for stakeholder and partner use.
• Work with CEO’s Operations team to develop a process to ensure program compliance with federal grant requirements including income eligibility, Build America Buy America, Davis-Bacon and required reporting, Historic Preservation, Colorado Revised Statutes, CEO policies and procedures, and the Governor’s office employee handbook.

Collaboration with Other Units and Stakeholders

• Work closely with team members, other CEO teams (particularly the IRA Home Energy Rebate and Weatherization Assistance Program), state agencies, and relevant stakeholders to plan for and launch all COS4A programs and support resources and activities including recruitment of an advisory committee, procurement and contract administration for program vendors, and formal and informal partner relationships needed for successful implementation.
• Develop and maintain strong stakeholder relationships with industry, local governments, utilities, and community based organizations, as well as other state agencies including the PUC, DOLA and CDLE.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• At least 3 years of experience in community and stakeholder engagement, workforce development or a combination thereof.
• At least 2 years experience in clean energy, affordable housing, weatherization, energy financing, or related fields with solar experience strongly preferred.
• Excellent people skills and proven success leading a team.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in program design and development.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
• Working with stakeholder groups including community based organizations, unions, local governments and utilities.

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 [email protected].

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.