Senior Policy Advisor - Transmission & Clean Energy Deployment

About the Department

The mission of the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and consumer energy costs by advancing clean energy, energy efficiency, and zero emission vehicles to benefit all Coloradans. We do this by developing and implementing highly impactful policies and programs, establishing Colorado as a leading state for climate action. The Colorado Energy Office is a great place to work, with collaborative and talented employees who are passionate about our mission and a hybrid atmosphere. Employees report high satisfaction with their work, their colleagues and manager, and CEO leadership. Join us!

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. Governor’s Office staff should demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility (EDIA) in the workplace to fulfill the promise of a Colorado For All. Staff are expected to participate in learning opportunities and training to increase their knowledge around EDIA, have a growth mindset, and embed new learnings and skills into daily business practices. Creating inaccessible digital content such as web pages, emails, presentations, or documents leaves the state open to fines up to $3,500 based on the language in House Bill 21-110. Staff should strive to make all digital content accessible using provided accessibility resources. 

Position Duties

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

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

Other Qualifications

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.

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. 

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor 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 our ADAAA Staffing Coordinator (the Director of Human Resources) at [email protected].

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.

Benefits

Please note that each agency's 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.

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

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Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/