Q: What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

The primary focus of this role is the project management of climate-related capital infrastructure . You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of distributed energy resources, electric vehicle supply equipment, and energy efficiency upgrades across the city's vast portfolio of 160+ buildings. Key duties involve reviewing technical specifications and drawings for geothermal, solar, and HVAC projects to ensure they align with Denver's decarbonization standards . You will also oversee external consultants and contractors, ensuring that work is completed on time, within budget, and to the specific technical requirements required for municipal safety and performance. Additionally, you will handle the contract administration and utility coordination necessary to secure permits and rebates. This includes managing solar and EVSE asset management contracts to maintain the longevity and efficiency of the city's renewable investments.

Q: Key learning opportunities for this job

Candidates will gain unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge climate technologies implemented at scale. This includes working with sewer heat recovery, district thermal energy networks, and innovative battery energy storage systems that are not yet common in the private sector. Furthermore, the role provides deep insight into public-sector sustainability strategy . You will learn how to navigate the intersection of government policy, municipal funding, and utility regulations, gaining specialized knowledge in how a major city implements an equity-centered climate action plan. Professional development is also supported through exposure to complex stakeholder management and large-scale asset operations. You will refine your skills in risk mitigation for public infrastructure and learn the nuances of balancing environmental justice goals with technical feasibility.

Q: What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

This role is central to the beneficial electrification and decarbonization of Denver’s municipal footprint. You will specifically focus on reducing the carbon intensity of the city's buildings and its 3,000+ vehicle fleet, which are major sources of urban emissions. There is a significant emphasis on energy resilience and grid stability . By implementing microgrids and battery storage, the role helps ensure that critical city services can remain operational during climate-related emergencies or power outages. Furthermore, the role integrates social equity into infrastructure . Projects are guided by the goal of creating a resilient city 'for all,' meaning you will likely work on initiatives that prioritize improvements in communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Q: What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

One of the primary challenges is coordinating across diverse city agencies . Each department may have different operational priorities, and you will need to find common ground to ensure that climate goals are integrated into their facility management plans without disrupting service. Another obstacle is navigating regulatory and utility hurdles . Aligning project timelines with Xcel Energy’s grid requirements and city permitting processes can be slow and complex, requiring high levels of patience and creative problem-solving to prevent delays. Managing public accountability and budget constraints is also a reality. Every project must be defensible to the public and stakeholders, meaning you must balance the use of innovative (and sometimes more expensive) technology with fiscal responsibility and long-term asset performance.

Q: How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

A typical day begins with field site visits to inspect in-progress energy installations. You might review the installation of EV charging stations at a municipal garage or check the progress of a heat pump retrofit at a neighborhood library. Midday is often spent in technical review and coordination meetings . You could be reviewing engineering drawings for a new microgrid, discussing permit requirements with utility representatives, or holding a progress meeting with a group of consultants to resolve a technical bottleneck. The afternoon might involve administrative and strategic work . This includes processing contractor invoices, drafting project updates for CASR leadership, or collaborating with the Municipal Energy Performance team to identify new facilities for upcoming electrification pilots.

Q: What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

There are significant paths for upward mobility within CASR and the broader City and County of Denver structure. Success in this role can lead to Senior Energy Project Manager positions or specialized leadership roles within the Buildings or Vehicle Electrification groups. This position also offers a high-visibility platform . Because Denver is a leader in Western US climate action, the projects you manage will often be featured as case studies at national conferences, offering you a high professional profile within the national sustainability community. Additionally, the role provides the foundational experience needed for Director-level positions in municipal sustainability or energy management, as it combines technical project delivery with high-level policy implementation and budget management.

Q: The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

You will frequently interact with internal city agency leads . These facility managers and department heads are your primary 'clients' as you implement upgrades to their specialized buildings and fleet charging infrastructure. External utility partners, specifically Xcel Energy , are constant stakeholders. You will work closely with them to ensure grid capacity, secure rebates, and manage the technical interconnection of distributed energy resources. Finally, you will engage with contractors, consultants, and the community . You represent the city when directing project teams and occasionally when presenting project benefits to community groups or business stakeholders interested in Denver's climate progress.

Question 1

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Accepted Answer

The primary focus of this role is the project management of climate-related capital infrastructure. You will be responsible for the full lifecycle of distributed energy resources, electric vehicle supply equipment, and energy efficiency upgrades across the city's vast portfolio of 160+ buildings. Key duties involve reviewing technical specifications and drawings for geothermal, solar, and HVAC projects to ensure they align with Denver's decarbonization standards. You will also oversee external consultants and contractors, ensuring that work is completed on time, within budget, and to the specific technical requirements required for municipal safety and performance. Additionally, you will handle the contract administration and utility coordination necessary to secure permits and rebates. This includes managing solar and EVSE asset management contracts to maintain the longevity and efficiency of the city's renewable investments.

Question 2

Key learning opportunities for this job

Accepted Answer

Candidates will gain unparalleled exposure to cutting-edge climate technologies implemented at scale. This includes working with sewer heat recovery, district thermal energy networks, and innovative battery energy storage systems that are not yet common in the private sector. Furthermore, the role provides deep insight into public-sector sustainability strategy. You will learn how to navigate the intersection of government policy, municipal funding, and utility regulations, gaining specialized knowledge in how a major city implements an equity-centered climate action plan. Professional development is also supported through exposure to complex stakeholder management and large-scale asset operations. You will refine your skills in risk mitigation for public infrastructure and learn the nuances of balancing environmental justice goals with technical feasibility.

Question 3

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Accepted Answer

The ideal candidate brings at least two years of professional project management experience, ideally within climate mitigation, building electrification, or energy efficiency. A Bachelor’s degree in engineering, architecture, or a related technical field is essential to handle the complex specifications involved in these projects. Beyond technical credentials, Denver is looking for someone with an equity-focused mindset. Knowledge of how institutional bias impacts under-resourced communities is highly valued, as CASR projects often aim to advance environmental justice alongside carbon reduction goals. Strong communication and consensus-building skills are vital. Since you will be working across multiple city agencies and with external utility providers like Xcel Energy, the ability to translate technical climate goals into actionable steps for different audiences is a key differentiator.

Question 4

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

Accepted Answer

To stand out, your cover letter must go beyond listing duties and instead highlight specific project execution wins. Mention complex energy or construction projects you have seen through from the planning phase to final field inspection, particularly those involving multi-stakeholder coordination. Showcase your familiarity with Denver’s specific climate initiatives or similar urban sustainability frameworks. Demonstrating that you understand the unique challenges of local government—such as public procurement and regulatory compliance—will mark you as a candidate who can hit the ground running. Finally, emphasize any experience you have with leveraging external resources like utility rebates or federal grants. Proving you can find ways to make projects more cost-effective while achieving high sustainability standards is highly attractive to a municipal employer.

Question 5

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

This role is central to the beneficial electrification and decarbonization of Denver’s municipal footprint. You will specifically focus on reducing the carbon intensity of the city's buildings and its 3,000+ vehicle fleet, which are major sources of urban emissions. There is a significant emphasis on energy resilience and grid stability. By implementing microgrids and battery storage, the role helps ensure that critical city services can remain operational during climate-related emergencies or power outages. Furthermore, the role integrates social equity into infrastructure. Projects are guided by the goal of creating a resilient city 'for all,' meaning you will likely work on initiatives that prioritize improvements in communities most vulnerable to climate change impacts.

Question 6

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

Accepted Answer

One of the primary challenges is coordinating across diverse city agencies. Each department may have different operational priorities, and you will need to find common ground to ensure that climate goals are integrated into their facility management plans without disrupting service. Another obstacle is navigating regulatory and utility hurdles. Aligning project timelines with Xcel Energy’s grid requirements and city permitting processes can be slow and complex, requiring high levels of patience and creative problem-solving to prevent delays. Managing public accountability and budget constraints is also a reality. Every project must be defensible to the public and stakeholders, meaning you must balance the use of innovative (and sometimes more expensive) technology with fiscal responsibility and long-term asset performance.

Question 7

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

Accepted Answer

A typical day begins with field site visits to inspect in-progress energy installations. You might review the installation of EV charging stations at a municipal garage or check the progress of a heat pump retrofit at a neighborhood library. Midday is often spent in technical review and coordination meetings. You could be reviewing engineering drawings for a new microgrid, discussing permit requirements with utility representatives, or holding a progress meeting with a group of consultants to resolve a technical bottleneck. The afternoon might involve administrative and strategic work. This includes processing contractor invoices, drafting project updates for CASR leadership, or collaborating with the Municipal Energy Performance team to identify new facilities for upcoming electrification pilots.

Question 8

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

Accepted Answer

There are significant paths for upward mobility within CASR and the broader City and County of Denver structure. Success in this role can lead to Senior Energy Project Manager positions or specialized leadership roles within the Buildings or Vehicle Electrification groups. This position also offers a high-visibility platform. Because Denver is a leader in Western US climate action, the projects you manage will often be featured as case studies at national conferences, offering you a high professional profile within the national sustainability community. Additionally, the role provides the foundational experience needed for Director-level positions in municipal sustainability or energy management, as it combines technical project delivery with high-level policy implementation and budget management.

Question 9

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

Accepted Answer

You will frequently interact with internal city agency leads. These facility managers and department heads are your primary 'clients' as you implement upgrades to their specialized buildings and fleet charging infrastructure. External utility partners, specifically Xcel Energy, are constant stakeholders. You will work closely with them to ensure grid capacity, secure rebates, and manage the technical interconnection of distributed energy resources. Finally, you will engage with contractors, consultants, and the community. You represent the city when directing project teams and occasionally when presenting project benefits to community groups or business stakeholders interested in Denver's climate progress.

Energy Project Manager – Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency

Job FAQs

What are the main missions and responsibilities of this role?

Key learning opportunities for this job

How does the ideal candidate look like (experience, skills)?

Advice to stand out and make a successful application

What aspects of the company's sustainability is this role likely to focus on?

What are the main challenges someone in this role might face?

How could a typical day look like for someone in this position?

What are the opportunities for professional growth and development in this role?

The main stakeholders you might be interacting with

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