Cda-Energy Specialist

Salary : $68,100.00 - $81,720.00 Annually
Location : Broomfield County, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: BAA-00413-11202023
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: Conservation Services Division
Opening Date: 12/01/2023
Closing Date: 12/21/2023 4:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 305 Interlocken Parkway Broomfield CO 80020
Department Information
Who we are:
Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.
Mission:
The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.
Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect
CDA Wildly Important Goals:
To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access
  
• Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture
  
• Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
  
• Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.
What you get from us:
In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans(www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans ()
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation
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.
Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: .
Description of Job
****NOTICE- This position has been reposted until 12/21/2024. Previous applicants need not reapply****
Work Unit:
The Conservation Services Division exists to provide oversight and coordination of the department's efforts, as well as direct assistance to Colorado' agriculture sector, to protect and enhance the state's agriculture activities as they relate to drought and climate resilience and the conservation of natural resources, including land use and range management, soil and vegetation management, public land management, water quality and quantity, wildlife habitat, endangered species, and energy development. The purpose of ADCRO is to provide administration and oversight of the Soil Health Program, drought mitigation services, and agricultural energy management services. It also includes coordination and collaboration with other state, multi-state, and federal agencies.
As part of CDA's Advancing Colorado's Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ACRE3) grant program, the Agricultural Energy Renovation Opportunities (AERO) Project recruits' applicants and provides technical assistance to help them apply for the USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) and to help them implement funded projects. Technical assistance from the AERO Project and funding from USDA REAP grants will help Colorado's agricultural producers install energy management projects in their agricultural enterprises, including renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Position:
This position will deliver approximately 45 REAP grant applications in 18 months. In doing so, this position will promote the REAP, AERO, and ACRE3 programs online and through workshops to recruit 70 or more candidates to apply for agricultural energy grants.

• This position will coordinate and lead virtual and live workshops, screen candidates and their project opportunities, coordinate and administer funding for technical reports for eligible candidates and projects, including energy audits and feasibility studies, and assist applicants with submitting REAP grant applications for pre-qualified projects.
• This position will also provide technical assistance for successful applicants, including managing the development of their renewable energy or energy efficiency projects through the project development life cycle

Primary Duties:
Duty: Manage the AERO Project.
Brief Duty Description: As the manager for CDA's AERO Project, this position will work with Colorado agricultural producers to deliver at least 36 USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grant applications, with a stretch target to deliver 45 applications by September 30, 2025.

• Ensure the applications are completed accurately and comply with REAP requirements.
• Produce or procure technical reports, annotated maps, environmental and archaeological reviews, and construction and net-metering permits,
• Fill out and review many portions of the REAP applications on behalf of the applicants.
• Produce technical reports and recommend projects for federal funding requires certification from the Association of Energy Engineers, such as CEM, CEA, or REP.

Duty: Manage the outreach and marketing campaign to recruit REAP grant candidates and program partners:
Brief Duty Description:

• Develop online and printed materials and plan, advertise, and conduct at least 15 workshops, either in-person or virtual, before June 30, 2025, to instruct and recruit 70 or more REAP candidates, with a target of at least 175 unique attendees.
• Market the opportunities and requirements of the REAP program in a way that appeals to and prioritizes the needs and interests of agricultural producers of all types, and must listen and respond to the needs and interests of individual producers.
• Prioritize Distressed and Disadvantaged Communities, small grants, and underutilized technologies.
• Work with the ADCRO team in developing working relationships with other agencies to help promote the AERO Project.

Duty: Manage contractors to deliver technical reports:
Brief Duty Description:

• Screen the applicant and the proposed projects for eligibility.
• Coordinate contractors to provide documented project quotes or bids and to produce technical reports, including feasibility studies or energy audits, as needed.
• Deliver at least 45 technical reports by June 30, 2025.
• Ensure high quality and value of the reports and maintain good relations with all contractors.
• Hold contractors accountable for necessary and timely revisions to the reports.
• Produce technical reports.
• Review the reports with the REAP applicants.
• Advise them on the technical and economic viability of the project, obtaining funding, and completing the project.

Duty: Administer Grant Funding:
Brief Duty Description:

• Administer grant funding for technical reports and, in some cases, cost share for projects.
• Negotiate reasonable prices from contractors for the technical reports, develop thorough Scopes of Work, and assist with the grant contracting and tracking as needed.
• Work with the ACRE3 administrator to track and report on the budget and program expenses, including expenses for workshops, travel, and marketing materials.
• Understand and ensure compliance with all associated procurement rules for the State of Colorado.

Duty: Support Project Development:
Brief Duty Description:

• Work with REAP grant recipients to advise and assist in coordinating various aspects of the project development process, such as.
  1. Assisting with identifying and applying for financing,
  2. Obtaining permits from counties and utilities,
  3. Reviewing engineering designs,
  4. Procuring equipment and materials
  5. Working with contractors.
• Make site visits to dairies, greenhouses, feed mills, irrigation pumping plants, and other agricultural enterprises to evaluate the viability of proposed projects and to understand the status and appropriateness of existing facilities and operations.
• Visit the sites to certify completed projects, which requires professional certification from the Association of Energy Engineers.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy.
This position is advertised in line with the Governor's executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences.
Salary Range:
$2,619.23 - $3,143.08 Biweekly
$68,100.00 - $81,720.00 Annually
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Minimum Requirements:
Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in Project Management, Grant Administration

OR
Education:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study Public Administration, Engineering, Environmental Science or Architecture

AND
Experience:

• Three (3) years of professional experience as listed above
• See substitutions below.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Energy management for agricultural producers or commercial/industrial clients
• Certified Energy Manager certification
• Outreach and Education
• USDA programs including REAP and EQIP

Substitutions:

• A master's degree in the degree fields listed above will substitute for one (1) year of experience as listed above.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel.
• Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular business hours.

Required Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities):

• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.
• Work well under pressure.
• Ability to plan and organize
• Knowledge of energy program development
• Knowledge of multiple renewable energy/energy efficiency technologies
• Ability to complete energy audits
• Knowledge of budget development/management
• Ability to develop, organize and present training/presentations
• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships
• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.
• A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders and industry experts.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Ability to work independently.

Important Information:
Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the...