Director, Climate Action Policy – Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

City and County of Denver

2d • $109,134 - $180,071 • Hybrid

About The Position

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. What We Offer The City and County of Denver offers a competitive salary commensurate with education and experience. The salary range for this position is $109,134.00 - $180,071.00. We also 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 + 11 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 Location 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. Employees must work within the state of Colorado on their off-site days. What You’ll Do 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. As the Director, Climate Action Policy, you will be a key leader in CASR’s Climate Action Division, reporting directly to the Deputy Director. You will be a proven leader and strategic thinker and will act as a driving force in coordinated intergovernmental efforts to implement pragmatic, impactful decarbonization policies. You will oversee the decarbonization policy portfolio, which includes Denver’s Building Performance Standard, building & transportation electrification, and energy utility advocacy at the Public Utilities Commission. You will have 3-4 direct reports and will oversee a group of 10-12 staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
• Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of subordinate supervisors.
• Two (2) years 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.

Nice To Haves

• Experience implementing government directed climate mitigation policy initiatives.
• Experience using real-world case studies to design and influence decarbonization policy.
• Depth of technical knowledge related to utility energy infrastructure, utility regulatory structures, building performance standards, and building & transportation electrification systems.
• Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills
• Experience building consensus, support and engagement with internal and external partners
• Experience leading diverse teams and navigating organizational change management
• Experience in making well informed and decisive personnel decisions
• Understanding of financial policies and practices

Responsibilities

• Provide expertise and consultative guidance on technical and regulatory matters across energy-, building-, and transportation-system decarbonization with an emphasis on beneficial electrification.
• Oversee implementation and regulatory actions related to the administration of Denver’s Building Performance Standard.
• Oversee Denver’s involvement in relevant state-regulatory proceedings such as at the Public Utilities Commission.
• Coordinate stakeholder input in support of Denver’s expert witnesses in regulatory and legislative proceedings and participate in negotiations with Xcel Energy and other stakeholders.
• Serve as a senior CASR representative in critical interagency partnerships with Denver Community Planning & Development and Denver’s Department of Transportation & Infrastructure.
• Coordinate CASR input in support of code, permitting, zoning, city planning, municipal operations, and more.
• Engage regularly with internal and external stakeholders as assigned, which may include elected and appointed officials, citizens, and members of the business community, in support of the division’s positions, initiatives and interests while maintaining positive stakeholder relationships.
• Work with city leadership and staff to recommend near- and longer-term strategic initiatives, goals, and objectives for the section and once approved, to implement them.
• Develop and implement strategies to enhance functional collaboration and optimize performance of the division.
• Ensure staff is sufficiently knowledgeable and dynamic regarding technical experience, customer service protocols, relationship management, and performance expectations.
• Effectively manages operating costs and project budgets.
• Coach, mentor and support subordinate managers, supervisors and/or other staff.
• Support and model sound human resource management practices within the organization.
• Confer with higher-level managers/executives, Human Resource and/or legal advisors to determine appropriate decision/action with discipline and/or grievance matters.
• Approve standards, procedures, practices and guidelines that impact your group and direct their implementation.
• Implement and maintain policies and procedures set forth by the Executive Director and other policy-making bodies.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees