Senior Policy Specialist (Building Policy Collaborative) (Building Decarbonization)

At DRCOG, we’re not just planning for the future. We’re building it. With a five-year $200 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA, the Denver Regional Council of Governments is launching Decarbonize DRCOG, a groundbreaking initiative that will transform the built environment of the 58 cities and counties that make up the Denver metro area. This effort will cut climate pollution from Denver’s built environment by 70% by 2050, boost public health, spark local innovation, and supercharge the economy. Our approach is community-centered and equity-driven, focusing on low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods to ensure that everyone benefits from clean technology.

Decarbonize DRCOG will:

•Perform whole home retrofits in low-income communities

•Provide energy advising services and electrification-oriented rebates and incentives to home and business owners

•Support workforce and industry development

•Execute a mass-market marketing and community engagement campaign

•Work with local governments to accelerate adoption of ambitious policies

For more details, see the linked Factsheet and full Workplan.

The Decarbonize DRCOG Senior Policy Specialist will be responsible for helping shape the direction and activities of the Jurisdictional Support Grants and Building Policy Collaborative for the program. This role requires an ability to understand local government decision-making and develop and implement the supports necessary for local jurisdictions to pursue ambitious building decarbonization policies. First-year priorities are to help launch and administer the Jurisdictional Support Grants and help develop, launch, and manage the Building Policy Collaborative (in coordination with consultant selected via RFP).  Subsequent years will continue to focus on liaising with local jurisdictions, grant monitoring and administration, ongoing management of the Building Policy Collaborative, and supporting local jurisdictions in adopting and implementing building decarbonization policies. This position is recommended at a grade 8 and will hold the title of Senior Policy Specialist (Decarbonize DRCOG).

Decarbonize DRCOG is more than just a program—it’s a movement. We need your experience and entrepreneurial spirit to make this vision a reality. Apply to join us in creating a better, brighter, more sustainable future!

Research shows people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to apply.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado’s central front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, and is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Our culture and values fuel and inform the work we do. Employees are rewarded with competitive

compensation, generous benefits and an adaptable work environment. Sound like a good fit? We’d love to meet you!

About the Position of Senior Policy Specialist (Building Policy Collaborative) (Building Decarbonization)

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.

·       Provides leadership on varied planning and policy activities in support of regional plans and projects; coordinates development and maintenance of regional policies and plans; may serve as lead worker by assigning work and monitoring work completion; and provides consultation regarding various studies and initiatives.

·       Serves as policy subject matter expert in area of assignment; performs and directs complex research tasks; develops and evaluates processes; makes recommendations for modifications to data collection methods and processes.

·       Provides planning support and responds to inquiries and requests from internal and external stakeholders; prepares materials for presentations, print and web distribution to communicate technical research findings and policy recommendations to diverse audiences, including the DRCOG Board and committees.

·       Works closely with the Business Operations Team to develop and oversee multiple budgets; contracting functions; allocate resources; monitors and controls expenditures.

·       Develops and maintains internal and external relationships; participates in a variety of meetings, committees, or related groups to communicate information regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and other information; represents assigned areas on committees and advocacy groups.

·       Coordinates and conducts workshops, webinars, and other public involvement activities to further regional plans and initiatives.

·       Coordinates and contributes to efforts to help local governments and other partners advance consistent and aligned building decarbonization policies across the region.

·       Provides leadership on regional building decarbonization policies and the formulation and management of regional policy initiatives.

·       Facilitate engagement with municipal leadership and staff and community organizations to advance and sustain the collective impact commitment to building decarbonization.

·       Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.

Representing the Decarbonize DRCOG Policy Program:

·       Preparing education and awareness materials on the policy grant elements;

·       Outreach and present to communities, including elected officials;

·       Oversee facilitation contractor processes and deliverables;

·       Stay up to date on policy adoption and legal landscape in other regions and states;

·       Support research and coordination with partners;

·       Work with grant compliance staff on reporting and contractual deliverables;

·       Support and supplement capacity of the Building Policy Collaborative Program Manager.

Building Policy Collaborative Leadership:

·       Coordinating with the local and state agencies to develop policy products and assist with program implementation;

·       Facilitate collective decision-making and alignment across multiple jurisdictions;

·       Support local governments as they implement ambitious building codes;

·       Support collaboration and communication with elected and appointed officials and staff who are responsible for adopting and implementing building-related policies;

·       Build relationships with key stakeholders whose input and support will be critical in passing codes;

·       Elicit and assess jurisdiction needs and work with the Building Policy Collaborative Program Manager to address.

Other Responsibilities:

·       Liaising with staff from state, local, and federal partners;

·       Representing DRCOG on committees, councils, studies and workgroups;

·       Other duties that may arise.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Building energy codes, standards, ordinances and surrounding current legal landscape;
• Ability to support development and review of policy documents (resolutions, codes, bills);
• Building electrification technology such as LEED, ENERGY STAR, PassivHouse, or other green building frameworks; 
• Principles and practices of local and climate action planning, public engagement, and tracking, analyzing, and reporting greenhouse gas emissions;
• Principles and practices of project and program administration and management;
• Practices and methods of coaching and leading the work of contractors and supporting the work of municipal staff;
• Techniques and methods for organizing, prioritizing, assigning and monitoring work;
• Principles and methods of qualitative and quantitative research;
• Principles and applications of critical thinking and analysis;
• Best practices, trends and emerging technologies in local and regional planning
• Effective communication techniques, including writing and public presentations oriented to a variety of audiences;
• Principles and practices of group facilitation and building consensus;
• Techniques and methods for equitable and inclusive public engagement.
• Familiarity with basic concepts of digital accessibility, including techniques for accessible writing, presenting, remote meetings, and document creation.
• Leadership, direction, contractor management, strategy;
• Ability to mediate among disparate stakeholders with different motivations and levels of engagement;
• Relationship- and trust-building with stakeholders bringing diverse and disparate perspectives;
• Deadline-driven project management;
• Coordination of stakeholders, projects and team members;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for presenting complex and abstract concepts to non-technical and non-sustainability stakeholders (developers, leadership/elected officials, residents);
• Creative thinking and willingness to learn to overcome barriers to implementation;
• Interpreting, monitoring and reporting project data and information;
• Compiling and sorting data and articulating issues and recommendations;
• Authoring and preparing original reports, documents and presentations;
• Planning, coordinating, and implementing programs, projects, events, and activities;
• Facilitating group discussions and building consensus;
• Exercising political acumen, tact and diplomacy;
• Working with teams across subject areas and expertise;
• Providing cohesive feedback to leadership;
• Data Tracking and measuring progress;
• Interpreting and applying applicable laws, regulations and organizational policies;
• Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information;
• Microsoft Office Suite Programs.

Education and experience requirements:

Bachelor’s degree in urban or regional planning, public policy, engineering, architecture, sustainability, or related field and a minimum of 3-5 years of related professional experience. A Master’s Degree in public policy, planning, engineering, architecture, sustainability, or related field is preferred. OR An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing/Certifications:

·       LEED certification desirable

·       Engineering or architectural background desirable

Status:

Full-time, Exempt

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring salary range for this position is $3,195.66 - $3,992.23/semi-monthly or $6,391.32 - $7,984.46/month or depending on qualifications.

Application Procedure

To view the full job description, a complete listing of benefits, and to apply for this position, please visit our website at https://drcog.org/drcog-job-openings.  

This position is open until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Friday, April 18, 2025.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.