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.
To meet our climate goals, there is a crucial need for meaningful and coordinated workforce development. CEO is investing in building a qualified, skilled, and reliable workforce that is ready to support the State of Colorado’s climate efforts. At the same time, clean energy jobs can offer stable employment and wealth-building opportunities, especially in underserved communities. CEO works to develop career pathways in areas such as beneficial electrification, solar energy, electric vehicle charging, and weatherization.
CEO currently has an opening for a Workforce Development Specialist to join the Communications and Engagement (C&E) team in support of Colorado Solar for All (COS4A). This role will include developing subject matter expertise on COS4A to identify, plan, and implement strategic workforce development opportunities across the state. The position will work collaboratively across CEO and with other agency partners, local governments, industry partners, community organizations, and community members.
An ideal candidate will have experience in workforce development or workforce training, ideally with clean energy, have a solutions-oriented and collaborative approach, and be excited to expand access to solar energy across Colorado.
About Colorado Solar for All:
COS4A is an income-qualified program that will support the installation of single family rooftop solar, multifamily rooftop solar, and community solar (for residential subscribers). The program will work with competitively selected, industry-leading partners to deliver, install, operate, and manage the solar assets. This program is currently in development and will be launched and implemented in the coming year. In addition to the main program, COS4A will deliver extensive 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.
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.
Description of Job
Starting Range: $68,000.14 - $84,000.02 Annually
Percentage Travel Expectations: Up to 25%
*This position is eligible for a hybrid working arrangement with the contingency of appearing in-person at our Denver downtown office a minimum of once a week. A remote working arrangement is available on a case by case basis depending on location within state of Colorado.
Work with the Directors and team members of COS4A and C&E to create and implement a workforce development plan and grant program for COS4A. Develop and manage a grant program to procure services by helping prepare scopes of work, evaluating proposals, and managing vendors.
Collaborate with partners at CDLE and the Colorado Workforce Development Council on best practices and strategies.
Work closely with Communications and Engagement Specialist, COS4A to raise awareness and engagement with the program across the state, including supporting the development of educational and other outreach materials.
Identify opportunities to align COS4A workforce development efforts with other programs. Assess existing efforts to prepare the solar energy workforce, identify gaps and work across partners to fill those gaps in order to reach statewide goals.
Evaluate solar workforce data and use data to guide COS4A programming.
Conduct stakeholder engagement, outreach, and education in support of workforce development policies, programs, and strategies.
Engage with non-profits and community-based organizations to ensure disproportionately impacted and just transition communities benefit from the economic opportunities offered by COS4A.
Collaborate with interagency partners, local governments, trade schools, community colleges, colleges, and other industry partners on the design and management of programs that provide training, grants, and other support for workforce development in key areas.
Scale existing programming in partnership with other agencies or organizations, using COS4A to bolster workforce in key areas, and develop new programming as needed.
Maintain expertise in and facilitate best practices for accessibility and community engagement in serving low-income and disadvantaged communities and ensure best practices are in use.
Maintain subject matter expertise on solar workforce issues and advise leadership.
Other duties and tasks, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
*Please note that only applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and experience outlined in the job description will be considered for this position. We kindly ask that you refrain from applying if you do not meet these requirements.
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s Degree in any field or a combination of education and work experience meeting the minimum qualifications below.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in a related field (public administration, environmental science, political science, education, business, or similar)
Minimum of 3 years professional experience in workforce development strategy, training and certification, or related fields
Knowledge of workforce development practices at the federal, state, or local level.
Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills
Experience with program management or project management
Possess strong computer skills, including Google Suite or Microsoft Office (email, spreadsheets, documents, presentations, etc.) and video conferencing applications (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, MS Teams)
Awareness of apprenticeships, work-based learning, skills-based hiring and other workforce development strategies
Familiarity with the workforce needs of communities underrepresented and knowledge of practices to increase diversity, equity and inclusion and accessibility in training, hiring and promotion practices
Proven track record of building and managing positive relationships across diverse stakeholder groups
Comfortable working with a combination of reporting lines, teams, divisions, and content areas
Ability to independently start and finish projects with minimal supervision and passionate about working collaboratively as part of a team
Strong time management, attention to detail, and organization skills
Valid driver's license
Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
Flexibility to work periodic weekends, evenings, and overnight travel, as needed
Preferred Qualifications:
Bilingual in English and Spanish: writing, reading, and oral
Relevant professional experience in the state of Colorado
Experience working on climate and solar energy issues is strongly preferred
Experience with Salesforce
Experience with federal grants
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.
