(Auraria) Energy Manager

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

10d

About The Position

The Energy Manager identifies and coordinates energy, utility, and emissions management for the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) and the three academic institutions sharing the Auraria Campus: Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and University of Colorado Denver. Reporting to the Facilities Management Department and partnering with the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP), the position manages campus utility data from meter reads and bills through budgeting, billing, benchmarking, and water-use reporting. The role leads the campus Energy Management Plan, identifies energy and water efficiency projects with financial and environmental benefits, supports greenhouse gas reduction goals, and works closely with Facilities Trades, the Campus Engineer, AHEC Projects, and ASCP. It also administers elevator and ADA lift compliance and supports campus fleet records and procurement. The position may also support Operations with duties such as snow removal, campus events, and engineering assistance during emergencies or utility and building-system outages.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
At least four years of demonstrated experience in energy or utility management, including integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies into organizations or institutions and their operations.
Experience with energy usage and cost software; the campus currently uses EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Experience managing utility bills, utility data, and utility budgets for multiple buildings or accounts.
Demonstrated success managing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, including greenhouse gas inventory reporting.
Proven expertise organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating relevant data.
Valid, unencumbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application and throughout employment.
Must be a Colorado resident and successfully pass a criminal background check.
Excellent analytical, verbal, written communication, and organizational skills.
Ability to self-motivate, multitask, and meet recurring billing, reporting, and audit deadlines.
Ability to work with and persuade students, faculty, administrators from the three institutional partners, and AHEC staff and management to support energy conservation.
Strong judgment and critical-thinking skills, including the ability to anticipate problems and suggest resolutions.
Ability to use Microsoft Office, including advanced Excel skills.
Must submit a completed online application, resume, cover letter, and responses to required supplemental questions.

Nice To Haves

Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation, or willingness to obtain it within the first six months of employment.
LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credential.
Experience with Building Automation Systems; the campus currently uses Johnson Controls' Metasys.
Experience with Energy Performance Contracting or similar energy-savings contracting processes.
Experience with elevator and ADA lift conveyance-code compliance, inspections, or Certificates of Operation.
Experience with fleet management or vehicle tracking systems; State Fleet uses GEOTab.
Experience in higher education, government, or a campus environment.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute a campus Energy Management Plan with AHEC Facilities and ASCP to reduce energy use and costs and advance the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030.
Monitor and improve energy efficiency in AHEC facilities and school-owned buildings, and establish short- and long-term energy management goals.
Develop and implement utility management strategies for building heating and cooling, electrical use, irrigation efficiency, and water conservation, prioritizing no- and low-cost approaches with short-term returns.
Serve as the Facilities energy liaison to ASCP and identify, scope, and help implement campus energy and water efficiency projects.
Coordinate with Project Management on energy- and utility-related projects and provide energy requirements to the Campus Engineer for design and submittal reviews.
Support data collection and review for energy, utility, and fleet components of the campus greenhouse gas inventory.
Build and lead a cross-functional campus energy team and conduct communication, training, and outreach to promote energy and cost-saving initiatives.
Research practices at peer and Colorado institutions and apply for relevant grants.
Collect, validate, and process campus utility bills; identify missing or late bills and resolve issues with utility representatives or online services.
Maintain energy and water consumption records in EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and complete annual State of Colorado benchmarking submissions.
Evaluate new utility accounts and bills and assign costs to the responsible buildings, areas, and departments.
Conduct monthly meter readings with AHEC trades, resolve data gaps, evaluate campus metering, and propose enhancements or address metering issues.
Oversee and review monthly utility billings to AHEC departments, institutional partners, and tenants.
Direct engineering or sustainability student interns in utility data entry and tracking.
Administer the elevator and ADA lift compliance program under the Denver Conveyance Code, including inspection reports, Certificates of Operation, permits, and associated fees.
Determine responsibility for inspection corrections, create work orders for AHEC responsibilities, and follow up with contractors, institutional partners, and building owners to resolve violations before deadlines.
Coordinate conveyance repairs, modernization planning, and contractor performance with Facilities leadership and the Electrical Shop Supervisor.
Partner with AHEC Trades to identify operational efficiency and cost savings, including water leak monitoring, HVAC and building automation improvements, occupancy scheduling, and lighting efficiency.
Use the campus JCI Metasys Building Automation System for energy management, trend analysis, and setpoint and schedule optimization.
Maintain State Fleet and other campus vehicle records in compliance with State Fleet requirements and keep the campus TMA CMMS current.
Use State Fleet GEOTab for reporting, track annual fleet and small-vehicle audits, and escalate deadlines or audit findings as needed.
Work with vehicle maintenance staff, operators, and State Fleet Management on replacement recommendations and small-vehicle procurement.
Track fleet fuel use and emissions for the campus greenhouse gas inventory and evaluate fleet efficiency and electrification opportunities.
Develop and monitor utility budgets, forecast costs, track variances, document savings, and negotiate utility purchases where possible.
Research and use utility rebates and incentives and explore Energy Performance Contracting to support efficiency initiatives.
Support Operations with other assigned duties, including snow removal, campus events, and engineering support during emergencies and utility or building-system outages.