Salary: $80,000.00 - $90,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: AHEC-4302-10.2026
Department: Auraria Higher Education Center
Division: Facillities Management Services Division
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/12/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: Auraria Campus
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Department InformationThis is a Non-Classified position, performing the outlined duties with the Auraria Higher Education Center. Description of Job Job Summary: The Energy Manager identifies and coordinates energy, utility, and emissions management for the Auraria Higher Education Center (AHEC) and the three academic institutions that share the Auraria Campus (the Community College of Denver, the Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver). The position reports to the Facilities Management Department and works in partnership with the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP).
The Energy Manager owns campus utility data from bill to budget: performing meter reads, collecting and validating utility bills, maintaining the EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager systems, managing utility budgets and billing to institutional partners and tenants, and completing State of Colorado benchmarking and water-use reporting. Working with the Facilities Trades Departments (HVAC, Electrical, and Plumbing), the Campus Engineer, AHEC Projects, and the ASCP, this individual leads the campus Energy Management Plan, identifies projects with significant return on investment and positive environmental impact, and supports the campus mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The position also administers the campus elevator and ADA lift compliance program and assists the Campus' Fleet Manager by supporting campus vehicle (including State Fleet) records management and procurement processes.
Essential Job Functions: Development and Execution of Energy Plan and Strategies- Develop a comprehensive Energy Management Plan in collaboration with AHEC Facilities and the Auraria Sustainable Campus Program (ASCP) to reduce energy use, save money, and advance the campus Climate Action Plan goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030.
- Monitor and improve the energy efficiency of all AHEC facilities and school-owned buildings, and develop long- and short-term energy management goals and objectives for the campus.
- Identify, update and implement utility management strategies related to building heating/cooling, electrical usage, efficient irrigation practices, and water conservation, prioritizing no- and low-cost solutions with short-term return on investment.
- Serve as the Facilities energy liaison to the ASCP, supporting its seven-pillar sustainability mission and identifying, scoping, and helping implement energy and water efficiency projects on the campus.
- Serve as the primary contact to Project Management on all energy and utility-related projects, including projects funded through the ASCP, and provide energy requirements to the Campus Engineer for design and submittal reviews.
- Support data collection and review for the energy, utility, and fleet portions of the campus greenhouse gas inventory.
- Build and lead a cross-functional campus energy team, and initiate communication, training, and outreach to campus on energy and cost-savings plans to create buy-in and participation.
- Research best practices at peer and other Colorado institutions and apply for applicable grant programs.
Utility Bill Management, Data Tracking, and Benchmarking- Own the collection, validation, and processing of all campus utility bills (including Xcel Energy, Denver Water, and other providers serving the campus); identify missing or late bills and resolve them through utility account representatives or automated web services.
- Track and maintain energy and water consumption records in the EnergyCAP database and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, and complete annual State of Colorado benchmarking submissions.
- Evaluate new utility accounts and bills and assign them to the buildings, areas, and departments responsible for utility costs.
- Perform monthly meter reading with the support of AHEC trades; resolve gaps in meter data; evaluate existing campus metering and propose enhancements and identify metering issues.
- Oversee and review monthly utility billings to AHEC departments, institutional partners, and other tenants.
- Direct engineering or sustainability student interns in utility data entry and tracking.
Elevator and ADA Lift Compliance- Administer the campus elevator and ADA lift compliance program under the Denver Conveyance Code, including receiving, reviewing, and filing inspection reports; tracking Annual and Temporary Certificates of Operation; using the City and County of Denver online permitting platform; and processing fees associated with inspections, repairs, modifications, and Certificates of Operation.
- Determine responsibility for corrections identified in inspections (AHEC trades, contractor, or owning institution), create work orders for corrections that AHEC is responsible for, and follow up with the elevator contractor, institutional partners, and other building owners to resolve violations before Temporary Certificate of Operation deadlines.
- Coordinate with the Assistant Director of Facilities and the Electrical Shop Supervisor on conveyance repairs, modernization planning, and contractor performance.
Trades Partnership and Building Automation Energy Optimization- Partner with AHEC Trades to maximize operational efficiency and cost savings:
- Plumbing: track and evaluate water usage to proactively address potential water leaks.
- HVAC: evaluate existing HVAC systems and Building Automation System (BAS) settings to improve occupant comfort and identify opportunities for operational improvements and energy savings.
- HVAC Scheduling: work with the HVAC trades to establish and maintain building automation occupancy schedules that align heating, ventilation, and cooling with class schedules, campus events, and building use, reducing energy waste during unoccupied periods while ensuring comfort during scheduled activities.
- Electrical: evaluate opportunities for savings including LED fixtures, light harvesting, and lighting controls.
- Learn and utilize the campus Building Automation System (JCI Metasys) to support energy management tasks and goals, including trend analysis and setpoint and schedule optimization.
State Fleet and Campus Vehicle Program- Enter and maintain records on State Fleet and other campus vehicles (including carts, mini-trucks, snow removal, and lawn care equipment) to State of Colorado State Fleet requirements and keep the campus CMMS (TMA) current.
- Use State Fleet GEOTab software for State Fleet and Auraria Campus reporting requirements.
- Track and manage annual State Fleet and Auraria Campus small-vehicle audits, and escalate reporting deadlines or audit findings to the Director of Facilities or State Fleet Management as needed.
- Work with the Vehicle Maintenance team, vehicle operators, and State Fleet Management to recommend vehicles for the annual State Fleet replacement cycle based on mileage, condition, and operational need, and support small-vehicle procurement decisions.
- Track fleet fuel use and emissions for the campus greenhouse gas inventory and evaluate opportunities for fleet efficiency and electrification.
Utility Budget, Procurement, and Financial Reporting- Develop and monitor campus utility budgets, forecasting costs, tracking variances, and documenting savings versus the prior fiscal year.
- Negotiate the purchase of utilities where possible, including electricity, natural gas, and water.
- Research, present, and utilize utility, local, state, and federal rebate and incentive programs that offset project and utility costs, and explore Energy Performance Contracting to implement energy efficiency initiatives.
Other
- Support the Operations Division with other duties as assigned, including snow removal, campus events, and engineering support during emergencies and utility or building-system outages.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Application Requirements: - Completed online application, resume and cover letter.
- Resume and Cover letter required. The cover letter must specifically describe how your education and professional experience meet the minimum qualifications and any preferred qualifications listed in this posting.
- Must possess a valid unencumbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application.
- Failure to submit a completed application, resume and cover letter may result in removal from further consideration.
Minimum Qualifications: Education:- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Energy Management, Sustainability, Environmental Science, or a closely related field.
Experience:- A minimum of four (4) years demonstrated experience in energy or utility management, integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies into organizations/institutions and their operations.
- Experience with an energy usage and cost software system (campus currently uses EnergyCAP and ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager).
- Experience managing utility bills, utility data, and utility budgets for multiple buildings or accounts.
- Demonstrated success managing energy efficiency or renewable energy projects, including greenhouse gas inventory reporting.
- Proven expertise in organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating relevant data.
Other:- Must possess a valid unencumbered Colorado driver's license at the time of application.
- Please provide full responses to all required supplemental questions. Your answers will be used as part of the application screening.
Conditions of Employment: - Must be a state of Colorado resident.
- Must be able to successfully pass a criminal background check.
- Must maintain a valid unencumbered driver's license.
- Please note that if offered employment, candidates will be required to furnish a copy of their motor vehicle report (MVR) as part of the background check process.
Preferred Qualifications: - Certified Energy Manager (CEM) designation - candidates are strongly encouraged to hold this credential or be willing to obtain it within the first six (6) months of employment.
- LEED Green Associate or LEED AP credentials.
- Experience working with Building Automation Systems (campus currently uses Johnson Controls' Metasys).
- Experience with Energy Performance Contracting or similar energy savings contracting processes.
- Experience with elevator and ADA lift (conveyance) code compliance, inspections, or Certificates of Operation.
- Experience with fleet management or vehicle tracking systems (State Fleet uses GEOTab).
- Experience working in higher education, government, or a campus environment.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: - Experience in program administration and knowledge of a university/college community sufficient to plan, manage, transform, and optimize energy usage on campus.
- Excellent analytical, verbal, and written communication and organizational skills.
- Ability to self-motivate, multi-task, and meet recurring billing, reporting, and audit deadlines.
- Ability to work closely with and persuade an energy conservation mindset in students, faculty, and administrators from the three campus institutional partners and AHEC staff and management.
- Strong judgment and critical thinking skills; ability to anticipate problems and offer suggestions for resolution.
- Ability to use the Microsoft Office software suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.), with advanced Excel skills.
Supplemental Information Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act information:After careful review of this position and the duties that it performs, it has been designated in accordance with the Colorado Partnership for Quality Jobs and Services Act as a "Not Covered" position, it does not fall in the category of employees that are eligible for representatio
