Director, Climate Action Policy - Climate Action, Sustainability and Resiliency
About Our Job
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:
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.
Specifically, as the Director, Climate Action Policy you will:
We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.
Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:
Application Deadline
This position is expected to stay open until Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than that date at 11:59 p.m. to ensure consideration.
To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):
Job Profile
CA2758 Director
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
Unlimited
Position Salary Range
$109,134.00 - $180,071.00
Target Pay
$135,000.00 - $145,000.00
Agency
Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency
Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies
City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.
Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.
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
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.
Specifically, as the Director, Climate Action Policy you will:
- 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.
We value diversity of ethnicity, race, socioeconomic status, sexual identity, gender, religion, language, ability, and experience and exemplify this through the makeup of our team at all levels. You'll be right at home here if you cultivate strong relationships and push yourself, your work, the people around you and Denver to the next level.
Our ideal candidate has some or all the following experience, skills, and characteristics:
- 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
- Education requirement: Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
- Experience Requirement: Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of subordinate supervisors.
- Education/Experience Equivalency: 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.
- License/Certifications: None.
Application Deadline
This position is expected to stay open until Tuesday, April 21, 2026. Please submit your application as soon as possible and no later than that date at 11:59 p.m. to ensure consideration.
To be considered for this position, you must include the following on your job application (upload the attachment(s) to the Resume/CV section on the My Experience tab):
- Cover letter detailing your experience in climate decarbonization policy leadership, highlighting people management and subject matter expertise
- Resume
Job Profile
CA2758 Director
To view the full job profile including position specifications, physical demands, and probationary period, click here.
Position Type
Unlimited
Position Salary Range
$109,134.00 - $180,071.00
Target Pay
$135,000.00 - $145,000.00
Agency
Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency
Redeployment during Citywide Emergencies
City and County of Denver employees may be re-deployed to work in other capacities in their own agencies or in other city agencies to support core functions of the city during a citywide emergency declared by the Mayor.
The City and County of Denver provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, or any other status protected under federal, state, and/or local law.
It is your right to access oral or written language assistance, sign language interpretation, real-time captioning via CART, or disability-related accommodations. To request any of these services at no cost to you, please contact Jobs@Denvergov.org with three business days’ notice.
Applicants for employment with the City and County of Denver must have valid work authorization that does not require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the U.S.
For information about right to work, click here for English or here for Spanish.