(Auraria) Energy Manager

(Auraria) Energy Manager

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

Nicole Yanez at nicole.yanez@ahec.edu

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
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

This is a Non-Classified position, performing the outlined duties with the Auraria Higher Education Center.

Who we are:

Welcome to the Auraria Campus located in the Platte River Valley in downtown Denver. The Auraria Campus is the service provider for 38,000 students and approximately 5000 faculty and staff working at and attending the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. Learn more about us through this link: The Auraria Campus

Auraria employees enjoy an excellent benefits package which includes paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave, multiple medical, dental and vision options, discounted RTD Eco-Pass, BenefitHub and outstanding retirement plan. Learn more through this link: Non-Classified Benefits Package.

So, if youre interested in a great job working alongside great people, this may be the opportunity for which youve been waiting for.

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 drivers 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:

• Bachelors 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 drivers 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 drivers 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 representation by COWINS, also known as the union. To learn more about this designation please visit this link: http://coloradowins.org/

Applicant Checklist & Minimum Qualifications:

E-mail Address:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted by email.

Applicant Checklist:

• Resume (REQUIRED) detailing a summary of work history
• Cover Letter (REQUIRED) detailing how your experience & education meet minimum and preferred qualifications
• Supplemental Questions (REQUIRED) - responses must be completed within the online application before it can be submitted.

Minimum Qualifications

Your application as submitted is used to determine if you meet Minimum Qualifications. Please read the Minimum Qualifications and ensure that information in your application "draw correlations" to the Minimum Qualifications. Human Resources Analysts will not infer that you meet the Minimum Qualifications if information isnt detailed in your application.

• Years of experience will be expressed in terms of full-time equivalent service with full-time workload equal to one (1) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) year. No more than 1.00 FTE year may be credited in any twelve (12) month period. Positions working 40 hours or less per week will be pro-rated (30 hrs/wk=0.75 FTE=9 mos credit; 20 hrs/wk=0.5 FTE=6 mos credit; 10 hrs/wk=0.25 FTE=3 mos credit.) *

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

The Auraria Campus is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Nicole Yanez at nicole.yanez@ahec.edu

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

How many years of professional experience do you have in energy or utility management, integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy strategies into an organization or institution?

• Less than 4 years
• 4-5 years
• 6-10 years
• More than 10 years
• No experience

02

Describe your experience developing or implementing an Energy Management Plan or similar energy conservation strategy. Include your role and the results achieved.

03

Describe your experience collecting, validating, and processing utility bills and tracking utility consumption (such as electricity, natural gas, or water) for multiple buildings or accounts. What software or systems did you use?

04

Which energy management software systems have you used? (e.g., EnergyCap, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager, Building Automation System (BAS), Johnson Controls Metasys, Other energy management software) If other, please specify.

05

Describe your experience developing, monitoring, or managing utility budgets, or billing utility costs to departments, tenants, or partner institutions.

06

Describe and energy efficiency or renewable energy project you manages or significantly contributed to. Include your responsibilities and the projects outcomes.

07

Describe your experience tracking or reporting greenhouse gas emissions, sustainability metrics, or energy performance data, including any benchmarking submissions.

08

Describe any experience you have with elevator or ADA lift (conveyance) compliance, such as inspection reports, permits, Certificates of Operation, or coordinating corrections with contractors and building owners.

09

Describe any experience you have with fleet or vehicle records, audits, reporting, or procurement (for example, State Fleet or GEOTab).

10

Describe your experience working with multiple stakeholders (such as facilities staff, leadership, contractors, faculty, or sustainability groups) to implement energy conservation initiatives.

11

Which of the following certifications do you currently possess? (Select all that apply.)

• Certified Energy Manager (CEM)
• LEED Green Associate
• LEED AP
• None of the above

12

Describe any experience you have with Energy Performance Contracting, utility rebate programs, grants, or energy incentive programs.

13

This position requires visiting mechanical rooms, utility spaces, and meter locations across campus, as well as occasionally working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Are you able to perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

14

As stated in the job posting and required by the State of Colorado job requirements, applicants for the position must reside in Colorado at the time of application. Please acknowledge one of the following:

• I acknowledge that, at the time of application, I am a resident of the State of Colorado.
• I acknowledge that, at the time of application, I am not a resident of the State of Colorado.

15

As stated in the job posting and required by the State of Colorado job requirements, applicants for this position must hold a valid, unencumbered Colorado drivers license at the time of application. Please acknowledge one of the following:

• I acknowledge that, at the time of application, I hold a valid, unencumbered Colorado drivers license.
• I acknowledge that, at the time of application, I do not hold a valid, unencumbered Colorado drivers license.

16

As part of the required documents for this posting, if you are selected as the final candidate, do you agree to submit a motor vehicle report (MVR)?

• Yes
• No

17

Rules of Conduct and Ethical Principles: By submitting this application, applicant acknowledges that the holding of State employment is a public trust and that State employees shall carry out their duties for the benefit of the people of the State of Colorado. § 24-18-103(1), C.R.S. Applicant warrants that they have read and understand the rules of conduct and the ethical principles for State employees as set forth in §§ 24-18-104, 24-18-105, 24-18-108, and 24-18-201, C.R.S. Here is the link for the Colorado Revised Statutes: https://leg.colorado.gov/agencies/office-legislative-legal-services/colorado-revised-statutes. Conflict of Interest: A conflict of interest occurs when an individual or organization has a conflict between competing interests. By submitting this application, applicant hereby discloses the following personal or professional interests, obligations, commitments, or relationships (either personal or professional) that could create the perception of conflicts of interest with their duties at Auraria Campus:

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/