Economic Development Director Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Silicon Ranch is a fully integrated provider of customized renewable energy, carbon, and battery storage solutions for a diverse set of partners across North America.

• We are known for putting community partnerships first, and are the only renewable energy company in the U.S. that owns and operates all of its solar ranches and has a 100% track record for successful delivery.

• We have the largest utility scale agrivoltaics portfolio in the country under Regenerative Energy, our nationally recognized holistic approach to project design, construction, and land management. Our model incorporates regenerative ranching and other regenerative land management practices to restore livelihoods and soil health, biodiversity, and water quality.

• Through our subsidiary, Clearloop, we are able to help businesses of all sizes reclaim their carbon footprint with a direct investment in building new solar projects while also helping bring renewable energy and economic development to distressed communities.

By joining Silicon Ranch, you will be joining a team of experienced and dedicated individuals who have proven time and again that it is indeed possible to not only "make solar do more", but to make the promise of carbon-free, renewable energy that benefits people right where it comes from a tangible, measurable, and replicable reality. 

Silicon Ranch is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace that is reflective of the communities in which we work and serve. We are an equal opportunity employer and will consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.

Job Description

Position: Sr. Associate, Community Relations

Location: Denver, CO

Overview:

The Silicon Ranch Community Relations Senior Associate will be a key member of the Silicon Ranch team tasked to identify key community leaders and stakeholders to build and deepen relationships in support of our development goals, act as the primary contact and connector between Silicon Ranch and the communities where projects are located.  Additionally, you shall serve as the primary community contact in our operating communities to maintain strong connections and deliver on the commitments we have made. 

The Community Relations Senior Associate will report to a regional Community Relations Manager and collaborate with other Silicon Ranch team members and actively engage with community leaders and partners such as economic development authorities, local government leaders, landowners, site neighbors, and other key stakeholders to support positive engagement.  Ideal candidates have strong verbal and written communications skills and confidence in public speaking and presentations.

The ideal candidate will be outgoing and passionate about building long-lasting relationships with local communities, be a good listener, and have a natural curiosity to seek out answers using creative and thoughtful problem solving. The individual must also possess the ability to work effectively as part of a cross-functional team at a high-growth company in a rapidly evolving industry and development environment.

Main Responsibilities:

Community Engagement & Relationship Building

• Develop and maintain trusting relationships with community stakeholders, including local government officials, economic development authorities, anchor institution leaders, residents, landowners, site neighbors, and businesses.

• Serve as the primary point of contact between the company and the community, acting as an ambassador for our solar projects.

• Attend and facilitate community meetings, public forums, and events to inform and engage residents about solar development plans.

• Identify and cultivate partnerships with local, regional, and state organizations that align with the company's business and community objectives.

Outreach & Communication

• Communicate project benefits, timelines, and impacts to community members, addressing questions and concerns transparently.

• Collaborate with marketing and communications teams to ensure consistent, effective outreach and to develop and distribute project-specific collateral and messaging, tailored to local audiences.

Project Support & Coordination

• As primary community contact, collaborate with colleagues on site selection, permitting, and public approval processes by gathering community input and building local support.

• Track and report on key benchmarks and milestones for community engagement activities.

• Coordinate between internal teams (development, operations, legal, marketing) and external stakeholders to facilitate project needs.

Advocacy & Issue Resolution

• Monitor community sentiment and emerging issues that could affect project success.

• Proactively address concerns, mediate conflicts, and advocate for solutions that balance company goals with community interests.

• Support the design and execution of community benefit programs, such as workforce development, educational initiatives, or local economic investments.

Research & Strategic Planning

• Conduct research on local community dynamics, regulatory environments, and stakeholder interests to inform engagement strategies.

• Provide project-specific and industry-related research to address questions and support proactive outreach.

Travel & On-Site Presence

• Travel frequently to project sites and communities to maintain a visible, accessible presence.

• Represent the company at local events, public hearings, and stakeholder meetings.

Qualifications: 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal.

• Ideally at least 3-5 years of experience in renewable energy, community organizing, communications, sales, or related field.

• Experience in community engagement, public outreach, or related fields (e.g., campaign field work, issue advocacy, communications).

• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities.

• Comfort with public speaking and facilitating group discussions.

• Willingness to travel and work flexible hours as needed.

• Organized, self-motivated, self-starter with empathy and passion for a rewarding career.

• Must have a valid driver's license and be comfortable driving in rural areas to participate in in-person meetings and events.

• Competency in Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat.

• Experience in community engagement, campaign field work, or similar roles supporting public outreach and local approval efforts.

• Preferred: Some experience in the renewable energy or energy industry.

Our interview process:

A typical interview process at Silicon Ranch might include the below stages. Please note that we may make changes to these steps as needed, and details will be provided to you early on in the process.

1. Introductory Interview with our recruiter
2. Hiring Manager Interview to dive into technical skills and behavioral questions
3. Panel Interview to assess cross-functional skills and dive deeper into technical skills
4. Executive Interview to answer high-level questions about SRC and the team