Senior Sustainability Planner - Building Performance Program Coordinator

Lakewood, CO, United States

HIRING RANGE: $95, 191.20 - $105,768.00/year

The City of Lakewood is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Senior Sustainability Planner - Building Performance Program Coordinator to lead the development and implementation of Lakewood’s first Building Energy Benchmarking Program focused on the city’s mid-size commercial and multifamily buildings. This role directly supports the City's climate action goals, specifically reducing communitywide greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improving building energy efficiency.

The Senior Sustainability Planner - Building Performance Program Coordinator will design and manage program rules, tools, and outreach initiatives to guide building owners in tracking and reporting their energy use, complying with standards, and making performance improvements. The ideal candidate combines strong technical acumen, strategic project management, and clear communication skills to maximize program participation, deliver measurable results, and tell compelling data-driven stories about climate impact. In addition, the ideal candidate is experienced in talking directly with stakeholders, such as building owners and property managers.

This is a grant-funded 4-year term position eligible for benefits, with current funding anticipated through September 2029. There may be potential to extend the full-time role if the program is successful and future funding becomes available.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Incumbent is accountable for all duties of this job and other projects and responsibilities may be added at the City’s discretion. Employees must be able to perform the essential duties of this job with or without reasonable accommodation.

Program Development and Implementation (50%):
Design and launch Lakewood’s energy benchmarking program, including program rules, compliance frameworks, and digital reporting tools.
Create and manage a Building Performance Hub to connect building owners with technical assistance, financial resources, and educational materials.
Collaborate with internal and external partners to analyze and communicate benchmarking data and program outcomes.
Project Management (15%):
Oversee all operational aspects of the program, including timelines, budgets, and deliverables.
Administer proposals, contracts, and relationships with third-party service providers (e.g., help desk support, technical consultants, software providers).
Ensure timely and accurate reporting to grant agency (DRCOG).
Government Coordination (10%):
Partner with other local departments and regional organizations (e.g. Denver Regional Council of Governments, state Energy Office) to align local efforts with regional climate priorities.
Represent the city in DRCOG’s Building Policy Collaborative program.
Compliance and Enforcement (25%):
Lead compliance strategy, including direct outreach to building owners, data verification, and collaboration with legal teams and other internal departments to enforce program requirements.
Leverage the City’s sustainability-related professional networks and other professional opportunities to maintain working knowledge of best practices in the industry.
Consult as appropriate with supervisor to discuss work progress or new problems which may require advice or further direction.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Supervision Received: Community Sustainability, Climate, and Zero Waste Manager. General day-to-day direction and guidance provided by Principal Sustainability Planner – Energy, Water, and Climate
Supervision Exercised: Provides general day-to-day direction and guidance such as orienting, training, planning work tasks and maintaining standards for Sustainability Planner – Building Performance Program Technical Specialist

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of local, regional and/or national building energy policies and programs and understands how these are related.
Knowledge of sustainable building and site planning, land-use regulatory mechanisms, building codes and other development-related policies and processes.
Ability to research, analyze and synthesize complex information and data, develop and present recommendations and prepare concise written reports, correspondence and recommendations.
Ability to overcome barriers by developing well-thought-out solutions using creativity, innovation and integrated program design.
Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to maintain effective working relationships with business contacts, the public, advisory boards, consultants and with employees at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrates a commitment to incorporating the perspectives of diverse and under- represented communities in the considerations of the impacts and outcomes of decision-making processes.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage timelines and ensure the program stays on track to meet annual benchmarking and reporting deadlines.

Technological Skills

Comprehensive knowledge of building sector energy efficiency principles and greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategies.
Expertise in data management, analysis, and visualization tools, including Microsoft Excel.
Knowledge of benchmarking compliance tools, such as Energy Star Portfolio Manager.

Education and Experience

A combination of job-related education and experience demonstrating the equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities required to effectively perform the functions of this position may be considered, as determined by management.

Education: Four-year college degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Science/Policy, Physical Science, Engineering, Energy, or related field from accredited college

Experience: Four years minimum of progressively responsible experience in policy and program development, implementation and evaluation in energy efficiency, renewable energy, natural resources, urban sustainability, climate mitigation and resilience, and/or a related field

Certification/Licenses/Specialized Training

Preferred:

American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP)
Certified Energy Manager
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Associate or Accredited Professional

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Must successfully complete and maintain required state or departmental physical standards and certifications.

LIGHT WORK: Exerting up to 30 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for Light Work.

Physical Demands

Bend or position self to move items from higher place to lower place or vice versa
Sit, stand or be stationary
Talk, hear, converse, communicate, or exchange information
Use of hands and/or fingers in a repetitive motion to handle, pinch, grasp, move, feel, inspect, etc.
Walk, ascend, descend on both even and uneven terrain
Vision to include distance, depth perception, peripheral and color

Environmental Conditions may include

Office settings

Physical Requirements – No Physical Needed

Lift, carry, push, pull, move, or positions from all levels up to 30 lbs with or without assistance

The City of Lakewood is a drug-free workplace that provides employment opportunities in compliance with all pertinent federal, state, and local laws. All Lakewood employees are expected to work and complete all tasks in a safe manner consistent with training, standard operating procedures, City or Department policies, and common sense. Working in a safe manner includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and complying with all City and/or Department safety rules. Horseplay on-the-job is strictly forbidden. The failure to work in a safe manner, use PPE, follow standard operating procedure, or comply with a safety rule will result adverse employment consequences ranging from verbal discipline to termination from employment, including any applicable reduction in benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. Employees are also expected to encourage safe work practices by all co-employees, and to report any unsafe work practices immediately to a supervisor.

The City of Lakewood celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion in all areas of our workforce. Accordingly, the city is committed to creating, nurturing and sustaining a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our community and employees.

Background and reference checks will be conducted for all regular and some variable/seasonal positions.