Senior Program Specialist (Workforce & Industry Development)

The hiring salary range for this position is $3,195.66 - $3,992.23/semi-monthly or $6,391.32 - $7,984.46/month or depending on qualifications.

At DRCOG, we’re not just planning for the future. We’re building it. With a $200 million Climate Pollution Reduction Grant from the EPA, the Denver Regional Council of Governments is launching Decarbonize DRCOG, a groundbreaking initiative that will transform the built environment of the 58 cities and counties that make up the Denver metro area. This effort will cut climate pollution from Denver’s built environment by 70% by 2050, boost public health, spark local innovation, and supercharge the economy. Our approach is community-centered and equity-driven, focusing on low-income and disadvantaged neighborhoods to ensure that everyone benefits from clean technology. 

Decarbonize DRCOG will:

• Perform whole home retrofits in low-income communities,
• Provide energy advising services and electrification-oriented rebates and incentives to home and business owners,
• Support workforce and industry development,
• Execute a mass market marketing and community engagement campaign, and
• Work with local governments to accelerate adoption of ambitious policies.

For more details, see the linked Factsheet and full Workplan.

The Decarbonize DRCOG Senior Program Specialist (Workforce & Industry Development) will support DRCOG’s Workforce Vision of strengthening our industry contractors capacity for growth and increasing equitable access for new jobseekers to enter career pathways in energy efficiency & electrification of buildings and homes. The primary goal will be leading various phases of Decarbonize DRCOG programing, from designing, to planning, implementation, management, evaluation, and reporting. First year priorities are supporting the Program Management Team in the procurement process of multiple contracts (including reviewing applications and participating in review committees); setting selected vendors up for success as the contract execution phase initiates; developing a tracking and reporting plan to be carried out throughout the grant’s duration and engaging with vendors and industry stakeholders across the region. Subsequent years will continue to focus on program and process improvement and growth in strategic partnerships and participation.

Decarbonize DRCOG is more than just a program—it’s a movement. We need your experience and entrepreneurial spirit to make this vision a reality. Apply to join us in creating a better, brighter, more sustainable future!

Research shows people from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups tend to apply only when they check every box in the posting. If you are reading this and hesitating to click “apply” for that reason, we encourage you to apply.

The Denver Regional Council of Governments serves as a visionary leader along Colorado’s central front range. We tackle the BIG issues, like growth and development, transportation and meeting the needs of older adults. Our success is built on, and defined by, long-standing partnerships and serving as a forum for discussing these and other emerging issues in an effort to collectively find innovative solutions. DRCOG is a Regional Planning Commission per Colorado state statute, and is the federally designated Area Agency on Aging (AAA) and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Denver region. Our culture and values fuel and inform the work we do,. Employees are rewarded with competitive compensation, generous benefits and an adaptable work environment. Sound like a good fit? We’d love to meet you!

This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.
•Manage five workforce programs developed through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) by setting specific goals and KPI’s required by EPA and DRCOG, overseeing the development of comprehensive program procedures, budgets, guidelines, and performance standards.
•Lead various phases of programs, from designing, to planning, implementation, management, evaluation, and reporting.
•Oversees the operation and activities of an organizational-wide function or multiple functions which include program and project development, evaluation, and reporting; research and outreach activities; and compliance with policies, standards, and regulations.
•Works closely with the Business Operations Team to develop and oversee multiple budgets; contracting functions; allocate resources; monitors and controls expenditures.
•Develops and maintains internal and external relationships; participates in a variety of meetings, committees, or related groups to communicate information regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and other information; represents assigned areas on committees and advocacy groups.
•Reviews and approves a variety of records, reports, contracts, or other documents; makes decisions or provides recommendations based on findings;
•Facilitate engagement with community organizations and working groups to ensure equitable and informed program design, implementation, and performance.
•Performs other duties of a similar nature and level as assigned.
•Develops strategies and goals to ensure compliance of current and future DRCOG Workforce & Industry Development Programs as allocated through the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG);
•Supports the integration of DRCOG’s Workforce Strategy into other DRCOG programs/projects and initiatives;
•Diligent reporting of data and program implementation to supervisor, which will be escalated to the Environmental Protection Agency;
•Advances DRCOG’s Workforce agenda through internal and external stakeholder engagement and partnerships;
•Builds rapport with community organizations, labor unions, and employers to identify gaps and strategize on ways to support the execution of DRCOG Workforce Programs;
•Coordinates with Business Operations Team on the development and implementation of contracts, including drafting RFP for professional/services contracts, evaluating proposals, selecting successful vendors, administering the contracts, and monitoring contracts for compliance and expenditures;
•Coordinates with various DRCOG Program Managers to ensure that Labor Standards are embedded into contract language prior to release;
•Provide quality control and improvement strategies for workforce programming and data collection/evaluation;
•Coordinates with DRCOG’s Communications Team to develop marketing, communication materials and outreach strategies.
•Communicates with representatives of various city agencies, community and business groups, the public, and other stakeholders in a professional and clear manner.
•Ensures that Decarbonization Careers are affordable, equitable and inclusive of under-resourced communities, low-income households, and communities of color.  
•Fosters an atmosphere of innovation to challenge the organization to think creatively, especially as it relates to positive citizen and customer experience opportunities.
•Other duties that may arise.
•Managing multimillion dollar federal and/or state programs or projects
•Data Tracking and measuring progress;
•Procurement processes;
•Knowledge of workforce development practices at the federal, state, or local level. 
•Coordinate communication between vendors and leadership;
•Program Management (Experience in Waterfall, Agile, Scrum PM Styles)
•Best Practices of organizing analytical metrics and performance;
•Experience in managing and executing multiple workforce development programs. 
•Strong organizational and prioritization skills 
•Strong analytical, critical thinking, communication, and self-motivation skills 
•Excellent judgment/sound problem solving skills with an aptitude for continuous improvement;
•Ability to extract and organize data from various sources, prepare analysis and recommendations, and make oral/written presentations 
•An understanding of the concepts of institutional and structural racism and bias and their impact on under-resourced communities, along with the desire to incorporate perspectives of multiple communities 
•Microsoft Office Suite Programs;
•Providing cohesive feedback to leadership;
•Delegating and prioritizing work;
•Planning, coordinating, and implementing programs, projects, events, and activities;
•Relationship development;
•Program implementation, evaluation, management and execution;
•Working with teams across subject areas and expertise;
•Basic office software and systems;
•Utilizing communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with coworkers, supervisors, the general public and others to sufficiently exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.


EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

•Bachelor’s degree, a minimum of 3-5 years of workforce development, contract management, project management. Or An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

LICENSING/CERTIFICATIONS:
•Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification (desirable but not required)

STATUS:
•Full-time, Exempt

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The hiring salary range for this position is $3,195.66 - $3,992.23/semi-monthly or $6,391.32 - $7,984.46/month or depending on qualifications.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To view the full job description, a complete listing of benefits, and to apply for this position, please visit our website at https://drcog.org/drcog-job-openings.

This position is open until 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time on Wednesday, February 12, 2025.


All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.