This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This position is hybrid at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs. The employee may still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement
At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Be BOLD.... Make a REAL difference . . . and join us in serving our communities in advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
Mission - To advance Colorado's health and protect the places we live, work, learn, and play.
Vision - To create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.
CDPHE offers:
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Flexible working arrangements
Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans
Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off
Tuition assistance
Wellness programs
Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch
The Work Unit: The Disease Control and Public Health Response Division (DCPHR) ensures that the Department and the State of Colorado can effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and respond to conditions that impact public health. As one of the department’s most visible and high-impact divisions, DCPHR frequently operates in complex, rapidly evolving, and high-profile environments that require timely, accurate, and strategically aligned communications. The DCPHR Communications Unit provides a full range of internal and external communications support services across the division. The unit provides timely information to educate, inform, and engage partner agencies, the media, and the public during outbreaks and other critical public health events and communicates proactively about programs and services. The unit consists of staff knowledgeable about public health, content creation, traditional and digital marketing, media relations, writing and editing, graphic design, and emerging communications technologies. The DCPHR Communications Unit operates within CDPHE’s enterprise communications governance structure and coordinates closely with the Office of Communications to support department-wide consistency, executive awareness, strategic alignment, and communications risk management.
What You Will Do: The position reports to the Division Communications Director and serves as the second-in-command communications leader for DCPHR. This position directly assists the Division Communications Director in overseeing, managing, and leading communications for DCPHR and serves as interim Division Communications Director when the Division Communications Director is unavailable. Position leads division-level media relations, strategic communications planning, crisis communications coordination, and executive communications support while ensuring alignment with department-wide communications protocols, executive priorities, and Governor’s Office coordination requirements.
The position supports the communications needs of DCPHR through media relations, content development, strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, and coordination across communications platforms, including media, digital, web, internal communications, and external outreach. Position provides strategic guidance and review of communications materials to ensure messaging is accurate, accessible, inclusive, risk-aware, and aligned with department standards and priorities.
The position is responsible for proactively identifying, assessing, and escalating communications risks, political sensitivities, reputational concerns, and high-profile issues in accordance with department escalation protocols. The position supports executive awareness and decision-making through timely communications guidance and coordination with the Office of Communications.
The position fulfills a key leadership role within CDPHE’s enterprise communications governance structure. While embedded within DCPHR, this position works in close coordination with and through the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications, who serves as the department’s executive authority on communications and external affairs. This reflects the position’s shared accountability for department-wide alignment, executive coordination, and communications risk management.
Key Responsibilities:
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Ensuring high-risk, high-profile, politically sensitive, or reputationally sensitive media inquiries and proposed responses are escalated to and coordinated with the DCPHR Division Director, DCPHR Communications Director and the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications prior to public release.
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Writing and editing press releases, media advisories, media responses, and media pitches.
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Responding to media inquiries in a timely manner.
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Collaborating with the CDPHE Office of Communications to ensure all media materials align with the Governor’s Office and agency executive priorities.
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Coordination with subject matter experts to draft and revise talking points for DCPHR and CDPHE spokespersons.
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Updating the DCPHR and CDPHE media trackers, coordination of media interviews, crisis communications, interview preparation for DCPHR spokespersons.
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Represents DCPHR in department-wide communications coordination efforts led by the Office of Communications, including strategic planning, emergency coordination, risk escalation, and enterprise communications alignment activities, as needed and required.
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Ensures DCPHR communications activities adhere to department-wide communications protocols, approval processes, and escalation requirements established through CDPHE’s enterprise communications governance structure.
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Serves as the primary deputy to the Division Communications Director, assisting in the management and oversight of the daily operations of the communications unit.
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Assumes full authority and responsibility of the Division Communications Director in their absence, representing the Division in meetings and emergency response activations
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Ensures communications plans, messaging, and public-facing materials align with department-wide communications protocols, division and executive priorities, and enterprise communications strategies established through the Office of Communications.
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Develops and implements comprehensive communication plans for disease outbreaks, public health initiatives, and divisional programs.
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Provides high-level strategic guidance and review of content and graphics for all platforms (web, social media, reports) to ensure consistency, brand alignment, and technical accuracy.
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Coordinates with DCPHR internal partners and external stakeholders (local health departments, federal partners) to ensure collaborative public health messaging.
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Ensures messaging is synchronized across internal communications, external websites, and stakeholder communications to maintain a “one-voice” approach.
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Applies the CDPHE Communications Framework, including an eighth-grade reading level for plain language, AP Style, and inclusivity standards.
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Ensures all public-facing content adheres strictly to Colorado’s digital accessibility laws and best practices.
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Fosters a culture of “no surprises,” ensuring that DCPHR leadership and department executives are briefed on high-profile content before publication.
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Coach staff on creative problem-solving to resolve conflicts between accuracy and plain language.
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Reinforces adherence to CDPHE communications protocols, escalation pathways, and executive coordination expectations across assigned staff and projects.
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Coordinates with the Division Director, DCPHR Communications Director and Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications regarding communications priorities, enterprise alignment, and emerging communications risks impacting DCPHR, as needed.
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Assign work, monitor workflow and progress to verify quality and quantity of services and products meets standards, timeliness, and contributes to accomplishing the unit’s work plan objectives.
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Implement methods, procedures, and processes to improve workflow and productivity.
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Monitor employee performance, provide feedback and coaching to staff on work and projects, and contribute to each assigned employee’s performance plans and evaluations.
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Provide guidance to staff to staff assignments and projects, monitor status of project progress.
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Establish work schedules.
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Review attendance, workplace behavior, communication, and competencies with employee on a regular basis.
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Identify training needs to communicate to the supervisor and provide training as needed.
Residency Requirement: (New)
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience Only:
Seven (7) years of relevant experience in leading communication planning, writing and editing press releases, public relations with elected officials. media relations to promote and advance the missions of the organization or an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education in public relations, journalism, marketing or communications and/or relevant experience in leading communication planning, writing and editing press releases, public relations with elected officials. media relations to promote and advance the missions of the organization or in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to seven (7) years
**This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.**
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:
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Experience with public health communication
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Experience managing a high volume of rapid-turnaround media inquiries under tight deadlines
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Experience working with multiple competing priorities
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Experience working with diverse groups and general public
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Experience supporting community partnerships
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Experience with digital engagement platforms, analytics and communications tools
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Experience collaborating with executives, business stakeholders
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Experience with contingency planning to adapt and prioritize multiple competing priorities
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT-
A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
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Travel minimal in state for meeting or trainings may require overnight stays.
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Critical Status: Must be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.
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Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
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Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
Appeal Rights: (Updated)
An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.
As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.
Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at
[email protected] within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the Department’s action.
For further information on the Board Rules, you can refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov/board-rules.
A complete application packet must include:
Completed State of Colorado application
A cover letter that describes how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position.
If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application
If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.
The Selection Process:
All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.
E-Verify:
CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
ADAAA Accommodations:
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. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at
[email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.
