Manager Optima Energy Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $126,755.20 - $190,132.80 Annually
Location : 6450 York St., Denver, CO
Job Type: Full time
Job Number: 2214-052026
Department: Technology & Innovation
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: 5/31/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
Metro Water Recovery in Denver, CO - a nationally recognized leader among clean water utilities, provides wastewater conveyance and treatment services for more than 2 million people in the Denver Metro area.
At Metro, we help you be your best so we can do our best. You will join a team that offers stability, flexibility, and the opportunity to make a difference. We take pride in being part of an industry-leading team who serves the community by protecting the region's health and environment.
Description
Provides leadership, direction, and oversight of the Energy Division, ensuring a coordinated strategic and operational approach to energy management across Metro Water Recovery. Accountable for long-term program planning, governance, and performance outcomes related to energy supply, reliability and resilience, demand optimization, energy recovery, and sustainability. Works in close partnership with other departments to integrate energy considerations into organizational planning and decision-making. Serves as Metro's primary technical resource on energy issues. Provides direct supervision of assigned Energy Division staff. Represents Metro in relevant external partnerships and stakeholder processes. This position reports to the Director of Technology & Innovation.
Examples of Duties

1. Lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of Metro's Enterprise Energy Program, including establishing program governance, performance metrics, and multi-year priorities. Directs a portfolio of initiatives that optimize energy efficiency, reduce emissions, increase energy recovery, and maintain or enhance energy supply reliability and resilience.
2. Establish and maintain Metro's energy performance management framework, including standardized dashboards, reporting metrics, forecasting, and key performance indicators for energy demand, supply, cost, and operational performance. Lead cross-department coordination to translate insights into prioritized initiatives and measurable outcomes aligned with Metro's strategic plan.
3. Oversee a portfolio of energy assets (e.g., thermal, biogas, and other energy systems), including lifecycle performance, operating strategies, and continuous improvement opportunities. Direct evaluation of cost-effectiveness and value propositions and recommend operational and capital investment actions to strengthen reliability, resilience, and sustainability outcomes.
4. Lead identification, screening, and prioritization of opportunities for energy cost savings, demand optimization, and resource recovery improvements. Direct feasibility studies and pilot evaluations as appropriate, and develop recommendations based on technical performance, lifecycle analysis, risk, and organizational readiness.
5. Build and maintain alignment across Engineering, Environmental Services, Finance, Operations & Maintenance, and External Affairs Departments to advance Metro's energy strategy. Lead cross-functional teams through structured evaluation, decision-making, and implementation of selected energy initiatives.
6. Collaborate with Environmental Services/Regulatory Affairs to create, maintain, and improve Metro's GHG inventory and related reporting processes. Lead identification and prioritization of energy-driven emissions reduction strategies and decarbonization pathways, supporting compliance with regulatory obligations and Metro's sustainability goals.
7. Represent Metro with external partners including utilities, regulators, technology providers, customers, and other stakeholders to identify, structure, and advance strategic opportunities related to energy sourcing, energy services, sustainability, and alternative revenue. Lead coordination of partnership discussions to ensure technical feasibility, risk management, organizational alignment, and long-term value.
8. Oversee management of environmental attributes (including tracking, documentation, and certification requirements) to ensure integrity, compliance, and value maximization. Establish controls and business processes to support program reporting, audits, and strategic decision-making related to renewable energy market opportunities.
9. Lead funding strategy and execution for energy-related grants, incentives, and external financing opportunities that advance renewable energy, energy efficiency, fleet/equipment electrification, and zero-/low-emission initiatives. Oversee compliance and value realization, including review of EV charging performance reporting and alignment with Metro's sustainability and resource optimization priorities.
10. Develop and deliver communications on Energy Program performance, risks, opportunities, and results to Metro leadership, the Board of Directors, and internal and external stakeholders.
11. Serve as Metro's senior representative with energy utilities, ensuring effective issue resolution related to metering, billing accuracy, rate structures, and service planning. Direct internal coordination among responsible departments to support Metro's operational reliability, cost stewardship, and data integrity.
12. Lead or oversee financial analysis, procurement support, and commercial negotiations for energy-related initiatives, including review of lifecycle economics, pricing structures, and implementation risks. Coordinate with Legal, Accounting, and Purchasing to ensure sound contracting practices, aligned scopes, and successful delivery of program outcomes.
13. Maintain expert-level awareness of emerging technologies, market trends, and best practices in utility energy management, energy recovery, and sustainability. Translate insights into internal strategy, program improvements, technology evaluations, and organizational capabilities that strengthen Metro's long-term performance.
14. Directly supervises assigned staff and oversees consultant support, including work planning, prioritization, quality assurance, performance feedback, and staff development.
15. Responsible for maintaining and promoting a safe working environment. Ensure employees complete all required training on time, maintain compliance with organizational requirements, and follow all safety protocols. Ensures employees maintain required certifications.
16. Performs other duties as needed.

Qualifications
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Knowledge of:

• Wastewater conveyance and treatment systems as relevant to energy management and resource recovery
• Commercial and industrial energy infrastructure and equipment, including district energy systems, heat pumps, and biogas upgrading technologies
• Energy management best practices
• Emerging sustainable energy technologies and industry trends
• Environmental attributes and renewable energy markets, including RINs, RECs, and certification requirements

Skilled at:

• Program and portfolio management, including prioritization, coordination, and delivery oversight
• Energy accounting and efficiency analysis, including KPI tracking and benchmarking
• Energy demand, production, and cost forecasting, including scenario analysis
• Thermal energy calculations and technical review of models and assumptions
• Active and empathic listening skills
• Training and mentoring staff
• Managing disagreements, de-escalating conflict, and negotiating win-win solutions
• Project management including work planning, resource allocation and progress reviews through project completion

Ability to:

• Lead, influence, and motivate cross-functional teams and stakeholders
• Set program direction by defining goals, priorities, standards, and performance measures
• Evaluate financial viability using lifecycle economics, funding options, and revenue strategies
• Align departments and initiatives through effective collaboration and coordination
• Establish and manage partnerships with utilities, customers, vendors, and regulators
• Represent Metro credibly in external outreach and stakeholder engagement
• Implement and enforce policies and procedures fairly and consistently
• Effectively supervise staff

Education
A master's degree in science, engineering, economics, or energy management-related field from an accredited college or university. Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Colorado (if registered as a PE in another state, must apply for PE reciprocity in CO). A combination of education and relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a degree.
Working Conditions
Typical Work Environment
Working on a variety of floor surfaces including tile, carpet, sidewalks; Work in parking lots; Uneven Surfaces; Slippery surfaces; Wet surfaces; Lighting conditions including natural light, fluorescent, head lamps, incandescent, and overhead lighting; Inside environment; Outside environment; Vibration due to vehicle driving
Body Position Demands
Reaching in front; Standing; Walking; Balancing; Object handling; Typing; Simple hand grasping; Driving a vehicle; Sitting; Climbing stairs; Stooping; Kneeling; Crouching; Fine hand coordination; Firm hand grasping
Physical Demands (max forces are expected to be infrequent)
Max Weight Lifted: 40 lbs.
Max Weight Carried: 20lbs
Max Force Pushed: 3 lbs
Max Force Pulled: 3 lbs
Sensory Requirements
Wide field of view; Perception - Spatial; Olfactory (Smelling); Vision - Near; Far, Depth perception; Color discrimination; Perception - Form; Feeling without seeing; Speaking; Hearing
Metro Water Recovery is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Metro Water Recovery offers a wide range of employee benefits including:
* Medical
* Dental
* Vision
* Life Insurance
* Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance
* Retirement
* Leave Time (Vacation, Sick Leave, Personal Leave, & Holiday)
* Additional Voluntary Benefits
about our organization.
01
After reviewing the Job Posting and the Working Conditions for this position, are you able to perform the essential functions of this job with or without accommodation?

• Yes
• No

02
Are you currently registered as a Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Colorado or another state in which you may receive reciprocity?

• Yes
• No

03
Please select the highest level of education you have successfully completed.

• High School diploma or equivalent
• Some College
• 45 Semester hours
• Associate degree or 60 semester hours
• 90 Semester hours
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher

04
In what discipline(s) did you major for any degrees attained? (or N/A)
05
Outline projects and/or programs you have managed that would be relevant to this position.
06
With which of the following do you have previous experience?

• Energy demand, production, and cost forecasting and modeling
• Energy accounting and energy efficiency analysis
• Development and review of thermal energy models/calculations

07
Describe your experience with each of the categories selected above:
08
Please describe your previous supervisory or management experience, including the number and types of staff supervised, as well as your leadership responsibilities.
09
Please describe your experience working with energy systems in the water and/or wastewater industry, including any involvement with energy management, utility operations, infrastructure projects, sustainability initiatives, or related technical programs.
Required Question