Senior Program Manager, Geothermal

State of Colorado

$85K — $100K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5+ years of professional experience in energy or program management
  • 2-3 years of management experience in geothermal or related fields
  • Strong understanding of geothermal energy systems
  • Proficient in energy management practices
  • Excellent communication and organizational skills
  • Demonstrated capability to work autonomously and collaboratively

Responsibilities

  • Manage the Geothermal Energy Grant program and supervise 3rd party administrators
  • Support implementation of the Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering
  • Develop and execute outreach and engagement plans for geothermal energy
  • Act as representative for geothermal inquiries with state agencies and stakeholders
  • Propose policy initiatives for the geothermal sector
  • Manage relationships with geothermal stakeholders through an advisory council
  • Oversee program administration, data collection, and reporting

Benefits

  • 13.33 hours of annual leave accrued per month
  • 6.66 hours of sick leave accrued per month
  • 11 paid holidays annually
  • Medical and dental insurance offered
  • State paid life insurance coverage
  • Choice of retirement plans
  • 401K and 457 retirement savings plans
  • State paid Short Term Disability coverage
  • Credit Union Membership available
  • Free public transit pass (RTD pass)
  • Opportunities for training and professional development
Full Job Description
Salary : $85,009.60 - $100,006.40 Annually
Location : Denver Metro, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: EFA-SeniorPMGeo-06.24.26
Department: Colorado Energy Office
Opening Date: 06/24/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 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: $85,009.60 - $100,006.40 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.
This announcement is open only to eligible individuals currently employed within the Colorado Energy Office. The announcement is for transparency purposes only to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Only applications from eligible individuals currently employed within the Colorado Energy Office will be accepted.
The Senior Program Manager will provide critical programmatic support and shape key market development in the geothermal energy market on the Building Innovation & Energy Finance team at CEO. In 2022, the Colorado Legislature passed the HB22-1381, Colorado Energy Office Geothermal Energy Grant Program. This program helps unlock geothermal's potential in Colorado and bridges the gap to a renewable-energy future. The Geothermal Energy Grant Program incentivizes the expansion of Colorado's use of geothermal energy by providing grants to start programs supporting geothermal for electricity generation, space heating and cooling, water heating, and district heating. The $12 million program supports the development of geothermal heating and cooling as well as public-private partnerships on the development of geothermal electricity generation.

In May 2023, Governor Polis signed House Bill 23-1272 Tax Policy That Advances Decarbonization, which authorizes the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) to provide financial assistance through refundable tax credits for the exploration and implementation of eligible industrial greenhouse gas emission reduction projects in Colorado. Specifically, the bill, and its subsequent modifications including HB26-1289 Modification of Certain Tax Expenditures, creates the Geothermal Electricity Tax Credit Offering (GETCO) which will provide over $35 million in incentives over nine years, representing one of Colorado's biggest investments in industrial decarbonization and geothermal energy.
This position offers a unique opportunity for the successful candidate to make real and measurable change. This new position will lead development and implementation of new and existing initiatives, including building on the successes of the Geothermal Energy Grant Program and the Geothermal Electricity Tax Credit Offering (GETCO) . In developing this sector , the senior program manager will work with the SIFI team to continually develop the programs and geothermal market, manage internal and external stakeholder engagement, refine program criteria, administer the program, and track and report impacts and outcomes. Candidates for this position should demonstrate the ability to perform under a high degree of autonomy, think creatively and thoughtfully about new program development and existing program growth, and manage multiple program components from initial design through full implementation, growth, and reporting.

Programmatic Duties and Responsibilities
  • Manage the implementation of the Geothermal Energy Grant program and, if necessary, oversee a 3rd party administrator for the program.
  • Support CEO's implementation of the Geothermal Energy Tax Credit Offering
  • Help oversee implementation of a geothermal energy outreach and engagement plan, as well as updating and revising CEO's strategic plan as required.
  • Act as CEO's representative for all geothermal inquiries and lead coordination with key state agency partnerships and the Governor's Office
  • Work with CEO's policy and regulatory team to propose strategic policy initiatives for the geothermal sector.
  • Foster a strong network of geothermal stakeholders and manage a Colorado Geothermal Advisory Council
  • Occasional travel around the State to build and manage relationships with community partners
  • Develop and oversee implementation of the Geothermal Energy Grant program outreach engagement plan, as well as updating and revising the CEO geothermal strategic plan as required
  • Represent CEO to prospective partners and key collaborators
  • Follow key developments in the geothermal space
  • Perform all necessary program administration duties including procurement, vendor/grantee invoicing and reporting, and budget management.
  • Develop and manage program and project-level data collection and reporting for internal and external audiences and stakeholders
  • Assist in advancing Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion initiatives


Other Market Duties and Responsibilities:
  • As needed, provide support and leadership to other programs and initiatives on the SIFI team.
  • Conduct research on a variety of energy-related issues and technologies as needed.
  • Help promote data-driven decision making through the collection and utilization of program data.
  • Participate in the evaluation of program outcomes and propose changes to the Unit Director for program improvements and to support the annual strategic planning process.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Qualifications
  • Minimum of 5 years professional experience, including at least 2-3 years of management experience.
  • Knowledge of geothermal heating/cooling systems and/or energy generation
  • Knowledge of energy consumption and management practices.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.
  • Demonstrates a high level of initiative as well as the ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
  • Excellent computer skills including the Microsoft Office suite.

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.
01

Did you attach the required resume and cover letter?
  • Yes
  • No

02

Do you have at least 3 years of experience developing, managing, and refining programs?
  • Yes
  • No

Required Question

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