This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado
The application deadline is July 24, 2026. This recruitment may be extended at the discretion of the department.
ABOUT US:
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.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado
This position will have hybrid workplace options available, at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs. The employee will still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement.
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Special Note: Do you enjoy traveling and seeing all that Colorado has to offer? This position requires travel approximately 2-4 times a month, meeting with partner organizations and attending conferences and trainings both in and out of state. Anytime a meeting or conference is outside the metro area, overnight stay may be necessary.
Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities 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.
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 Prevention Services Division works with partners across Colorado to improve the health of all Coloradans. Division professionals develop, review, implement and evaluate public health interventions proven to promote healthy living, prevent chronic disease, protect against injury and ensure access to health care and opportunities for a healthy lifestyle. The division strives to understand the needs of Colorado’s communities and encourages the contributions of stakeholders in identifying and solving public health problems. The division is committed to the professional development, collaborative effort, and sustained wellness of its workforce.
The Office of Suicide Prevention, within the Prevention Services Division, serves as the lead entity for suicide prevention in Colorado. The Office prioritizes evidence-based strategies and best practices to reduce suicides, through health policy, public awareness and education, community grant making, plus intervention and postvention supports. The Office partners with hospitals, gun shops, schools, local public health agencies and community-based organizations to do its work. The Office is familiar with state and national suicide and behavioral health data, and uses these indicators to plan and evaluate it’s work. The Office monitors trends in the suicide rate overall and for teens and priority at-risk populations in Colorado.
WHAT YOU WILL DO: Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention
The Director of the Office of Suicide Prevention provides strategic programming to reduce the suicide rate in Colorado. The position is familiar with Colorado’s data, including demographics and trends, plus suicide prevention strategies and best practices for priority populations most at risk of suicide, and directs the use of resources accordingly. The position sets office goals and measures progress, in collaboration with division leadership. The position oversees grant management, including grant reporting plus grant writing to seek additional funding. The position also oversees a community grants program, directing dollars toward strategies and priority populations to reduce suicides in Colorado. The position manages an annual budget of $5.9 million, supervises nine staff, and coordinates Colorado’s Suicide Prevention Commission. The position assures the office builds and maintains relationships with community partners, including local public health agencies, gun shop owners, hospitals and schools. The director may meet with legislators, CDPHE’s executive director and members of the governor’s staff to answer questions and demonstrate progress.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Office and Program Management
Grant Writing and Management
Suicide Prevention Subject Matter Expert
Strategic Programming to Reduce the Suicide Rate
Partnership Development
Supervision
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
CLASS CODE & CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION:
H1A3XX
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT II
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.
Work Experience Only:
Nine (9) years of professional experience working in injury prevention or similar public health program, including grant management, grant reporting and writing, directing a work unit, and supervising staff in a public health setting to produce improved health outcomes on a population level.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and experience: A Bachelor’s degree with 5 years of relative work experience or a Masters degree with 3 years of relative experience as required below:
Graduation from an accredited college or university in public health, mental health, psychology, or sociology or a field of study closely related to the work assignment, and professional experience directing a work unit and supervising staff in a injury prevention or similar public health program, including grant management, grant reporting and writing, directing a work unit, and supervising staff in a public health setting to produce improved health outcomes on a population level.
**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:
Master’s degree in Public Health
Experience directing injury prevention programs on a population level
Experience directly supervising staff
Grant writing experience
Program management experience
Experience successfully working with stakeholders
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:
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A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
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A financial check will be conducted as part of the selection process due to being Management personnel with fiduciary responsibility to the department.
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This position will have hybrid workplace options available, at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs. The employee will still be required to report to the agency address listed on this announcement.
APPEAL RIGHTS:
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 describing how your professional/supervisory 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:
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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.
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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.
