Salary : $120,016.00 - $140,004.80 Annually
Location : Denver Metro, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: EFA-PoliSrAdvisor-09.02.26
Department: Colorado Energy Office
Opening Date: 09/03/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 1600 Broadway, Suite 1960, Denver, CO 80202
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
Type of Announcement: This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
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.

Description of Job
Starting Salary: $120,016.00 - $140,004.80 Annually

*This position is eligible for a hybrid and/or remote working arrangement. Hybrid positions are expected to be present at the office location for no less than one day per work week.

The Senior Policy Advisor owns a portfolio related to transmission, markets, and siting and permitting of energy resources and BESS in Colorado. The Senior Advisor leads policy development and advocacy efforts focused on strategies to ensure reliability and affordable energy for all Coloradans. This includes developing and advancing policies across one or more of the team's core work flows including electricity markets, in-state regulation, engagement at FERC, and development of legislation. The Senior Policy Advisor represents CEO in key conversations across a comprehensive portfolio of regional electricity markets and transmission planning venues and communicates CEO's policy ideas to key external stakeholders including utilities, grid planners, NGOs and federal agencies. This role represents CEO on the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB) and Colorado Electric Transmissions Authority (CETA) and participates actively in meetings with SPP and the Regional Organization for Western Energy (ROWE). We expect the right candidate to bring deep expertise in one or more of these areas; workstreams outside their core expertise will be supported by consultants and team collaboration.

Key Responsibilities
Advocacy & Regional Representation

• Regional Grid Engagement: Represent CEO policy interests across regional energy forums, including the Western Interstate Energy Board (WIEB), Colorado Electric Transmission Authority (CETA), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), and the Regional Organization for Western Energy (ROWE).
• Interstate & Federal Alignment: Coordinate with neighboring states, federal agencies, and grid operators to align transmission planning and market integration efforts with Colorado's policy priorities.

Policy Analysis & Strategic Guidance

• Regulatory & Market Evaluation: Monitor, evaluate, and analyze state and regional transmission proceedings, utility interconnection tariffs for large loads, and FERC dockets.
• Strategic Development: Translate complex regulatory filings and market rule changes into actionable strategy recommendations for CEO leadership to advance state climate targets.
• Contractor & Grant Oversight: Lead scope development, technical direction, and performance management for external consultants, study grants, and technical assistance contracts supporting clean energy deployment.

Regulatory & Legislative Execution

• Public Utilities Commission (PUC) Intervention: Direct CEO's formal intervention, expert testimony, and policy positions in transmission and market-related proceedings before the Colorado PUC.
• Legislative Development: Collaborate with CEO leadership and legislative liaisons to draft, evaluate, and advance legislation that accelerates clean energy siting, permitting, and grid modernization.

Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management

• Cross-Sector Collaboration: Build and maintain productive working relationships with utilities, clean energy developers, grid planners, local governments, non-profit advocates, and sister state agencies.
• Policy Communication: Clearly articulate complex technical and policy concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, lawmakers, media, and public stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 8+ years of experience in energy and climate policy, including at least five years in working on transmission or regional electricity markets
• Experience in regulatory proceedings
• Experience managing consultants and contracts
• Knowledge of Colorado's energy sectors, transmission, and Western regional market development
• Excellent people skills and proven success leading a team
• Strong time management and organizational skills
• Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills

Preferred Experience:

• Working with federal funding and grantmaking
• Managing stakeholder outreach, including local governments and utilities

Supplemental Information
To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

• Annual leave accrued at 13.33 hours per month (4 weeks a year)
• Sick leave accrued at 6.66 hours a month (10 days a year)
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Medical and dental plans
• State paid life insurance policy of $50,000
• Choice of 2 retirement plans
• 401K and 457 plans
• State paid Short Term Disability coverage
• Additional optional life and disability plans
• Credit Union Membership
• RTD pass
• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

Have you provided your resume and cover letter for hiring manager review?

• Yes
• No

Do you have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the energy, sustainability, or related field?

• Yes
• No

Do you have a minimum of 2 years managing a team?

• Yes
• No

Where did you hear about this role?
What interests you most about working for the Colorado Energy Office?
Please describe how you have prioritized the values of diversity, equity and inclusion in your work in past organizations.
Did you attach the required resume and cover letter and do you understand that failure to attach either may lead to your application not being considered?

• Yes
• No

Do you have at least three years of professional experience in energy policy development or regulation?

• Yes
• No

Do you have professional experience in regional markets, transmission, or energy regulation?

• Yes
• No

If you answered Yes to the question above, please describe your experience with one or two examples of grants you managed.
Have you ever supported a team or program by creating tracking tools, training materials, or systems to monitor project progress?

• Yes
• No

If you had to condense your cover letter into a three-sentence elevator pitch, what would you want us to know about why you are the ideal fit for this role?
Required Question