At DRCOG, we’re not just planning for the future. We’re building it. With a five-year $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 Program Manager (Communications) will be responsible for developing all aspects of the communications and engagement program, including personnel, marketing, and administration. First year priorities are to issue and manage marketing and engagement RFPs, and to begin development of a plan to implement the broad array of marketing, communications and engagement strategies and tactics; guide program development to launch by Q3 2025; and ensure meaningful community and contractor engagement throughout. Subsequent years will continue to focus on program growth and success through campaign development and implementation utilizing agency and strategic partnerships to maximize 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!
ABOUT THE POSITION OF PROGRAM MANAGER (COMMUNICATIONS) (BUILDING DECARBONIZATION)
This class specification represents only the core areas of responsibilities; specific position assignments will vary depending on the needs of the Division.
Directs staff by prioritizing and assigning work; conducting performance evaluations; ensuring staff is trained; ensuring that employees follow policies and procedures; maintaining a healthy and safe working environment; and making hiring, termination, and disciplinary recommendations.
Directs the development, implementation, and assessment of strategic initiatives aligned with division objectives, and plans of an organizational-wide function or multiple functions; coordinates activities between multiple teams or functions.
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.
Develops and oversees multiple budgets; contracting functions; allocates resources; monitors and controls expenditures.
Develops and maintains internal and external relationships; participates in a variety of meetings, committees, task forces, or related groups to communicate information regarding services, programs, areas of opportunity, and other information; represents assigned area 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;
Serves as an advisor to the organization’s executive team.
Develop high-level communications and community engagement strategic plan with staff, hired contractors (see next item), and needs from other program leads, based on the outline created in Decarbonize DRCOG grant application
Follow principles of universal design, including developing and maintaining cohesive, accessible (plain language and ADA compliant) communications strategies
Coordinate lessons learned across comms, community engagement, and other working groups to minimize redundancy and maximize impact and equity
Lead oversight of communications ($15M) and community engagement ($4M) contracts.
Manage and incorporate feedback from extant communications and community engagement working groups consisting of staff from member governments
Coordinate with other building decarbonization managers to ensure communications and community engagement needs and strategies for each sub-program are achieved cohesively, equitably, and impactfully.
Coordinate with industry partners including local government staff, utilities, nonprofits, work groups, and consultants to ensure alignment of goals and streamlined, consistent communications
Manage public relations and media communications, including leading press releases, organizing media events, supervising online communications, and coordinating crisis communications if necessary
Coordinate and attend media and public-facing engagement events
Leadership principles;
Management principles and practices;
Strategic planning principles;
Budgeting principles;
Fiscal policy and financial management;
Program development and administration principles and practices;
Project management principles;
Advanced principles and practices in assigned area of responsibility;
Applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, codes, and/or statutes.
Organizational style
Content management strategies and technologies
Graphic design principles
Copyright, intellectual property and communications law and ethics
Knowledge of communities, local governments, and relevant community-based organizations in the DRCOG region
Solid understanding of building electrification and its relationship to climate change, public health, and equity
Trained in plain language, equity, accessibility/ADA best practices, and diversity, including multicultural marketing and engagement
o Digital, language, and physical space accessibility
o Knowledge of best practices that support inclusivity and cross-cultural participation
Providing leadership to staff;
Delegating and prioritizing work;
Planning, coordinating, and implementing programs, projects, events, and activities;
Developing and administering budgets;
Analyzing processes and making recommendations for improvement;
Interpreting and applying applicable laws, rules, and regulations;
Interpreting analytical reports, summaries, and other related statements;
Utilizing a computer and relevant software applications.
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.
Utilize personal computers and common software applications (Microsoft Office environment).
People, project, campaign, and consultant management
Stakeholder and community engagement
Social, digital, and traditional media strategy
Crisis communications, public relations, and media management
Excellent verbal and written communications with ability to make public presentations and produce high quality written documents
Working proficiency in Spanish or other locally prevalent language(s) strongly preferred
Ability to handle engagement and/or planning projects that involve politically sensitive or controversial issues
Ability to discern and make decisions about competing priorities, identifying and centering those with the biggest potential for impact
Ability to talk about climate change, building electrification, and/or related topics with general public in a way that is accessible and meaningful to audiences with different cultures and values
Proficiency with digital accessibility, including techniques for accessible writing, presenting, in-person events, remote meetings, websites, non-data graphics, email marketing, multimedia and document creation, designing, developing, and testing digital communications products (according to WCAG standards), and the application of state and federal accessibility law to digital communications.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, mass communications, public relations or field directly related to assignment, five to seven years of progressively responsible related experience and two years of supervisory experience. A Master’s Degree or higher in a field directly related to assignment may be preferred. Some assignments may require additional education, certifications and/or licenses. 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:
None required
STATUS:
Full-time, Exempt
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
The hiring salary range for this position is 3,615.56 - $4,981.34/semi-monthly or $7,231.12 - $9,962.68/month 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 Sunday, November 10, 2024.
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.
