Chief Communications Officer

Full Job Description

The Communications Unit is responsible for executing the department’s strategic communications and developing tools and strategies for listening to and communicating with CDHS clients, constituents, stakeholders, partners, and staff.

Requirements

In collaboration with the Department's Deputy Executive Director for Operations and Strategy, the Chief Communications Officer develops and oversees the execution of the Department's overall communication strategy, including message development, media relations, senior leadership communications, product and service marketing and promotion, social media practice, issues/crises management, client/patient communications, financial communications, diversity public relations, as well as campaign management, and PR support for key departmental and initiatives of the Office of the Governor.

Primary Job Responsibilities

• Develop and systematically update a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy to support the Department’s strategic goals, incorporating Department priorities and using the CDHS Strategic Plan.
• Design specialized outreach strategies that increase visibility and showcase the Department’s work and achievements. Key audiences include the general public, clients, opinion leaders, and decision makers.
• Develop standard operating procedures and department-wide protocol for communications, including responsive external communications (media inquiries), proactive external communications (proactive media, public awareness, social media), and internal communications (24/7 and non-24/7 communications).
• Develop and maintain results-driven management system metrics to analyze and track outcomes of CDHS’s communications practices and identify areas for process improvement.
• Develop and maintain crisis communications readiness plans, including tiered response protocols for various scenarios across department offices and divisions.
• Maintain and ensure department-wide adherence to the CDHS crisis communications playbook, including oversight of the communications team’s roles in drafting key deliverables, partnering with the department’s Incident Commander on communications strategy, and managing overall tone and messaging.
• Implement the communications “arm” of CDHS’s crisis response and critical incident framework, including ensuring completion of all communications-related tasks in the event of a crisis.

Provide performance management by establishing performance standards and measures, regular performance evaluation, feedback, and coaching. Addresses performance issues in a timely manner.

Effectively recognizes high performers. Regularly evaluates staff for needed areas of development and provides opportunities for professional growth.

• Lead and design marketing strategy across multiple statewide campaigns/initiatives covering all programs CDHS offers.
• Develop a comprehensive and robust marketing and outreach plan to inform the people of Colorado about the programs, services, and individual, child, and family supports available for all Coloradans to thrive.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Years of Experience:

Ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, including experience with communications, marketing, journalism, public administration, or public affairs.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in communications, advertising, marketing, English, journalism, or a closely related field and/or relevant experience in communications, marketing, public relations or closely related field, equal to ten (10) years.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience serving as a formal spokesperson or primary media contact for a complex organization.

• Demonstrated writing skills with the ability to produce high-quality, error-free content tailored to diverse professional audiences.

• Experience drafting high-level briefing documents, speeches, and talking points that accurately reflect an executive’s unique voice and tone.

• Experience with results-driven management systems, including implementing and tracking success metrics across lanes of business.

• Ability to develop and adapt messaging across a wide range of channels, including social media, web, print, and partner-facing platforms.

• Professional background working within the unique regulatory, administrative, or legislative frameworks of a government entity.

• Proven track record of executing email marketing campaigns, with a preference for candidates experienced in MailChimp.

• Demonstrated success in providing direct communication support to and collaborating with C-suite or senior-level executives.

• Exceptionally organized with a proven ability to manage complex projects and maintain meticulous records independently.

• A history of contributing effectively to high-performing teams while maintaining full ownership of individual portfolios.

• Proven resilience in fast-paced environments, with the ability to manage competing daily deadlines and pivot priorities seamlessly as organizational needs shift.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

• Standard Background ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license)
  
  

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
  1. Disclose that information on the application
  2. Provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position.
  3. Provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications.

Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.

• Preferred Qualifications & Competencies:

  • Relevant years of state service experience.

Minimum Qualification Screening Process

A Human Resources Analyst will review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether your experience meets the minimum qualifications for the position. You must complete the official State of Colorado online application. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be reviewed during the minimum qualifications screening process. You must specifically document your work experience and qualifications. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached."
You must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process. Part-time work experience will be prorated.Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit. Your Work Experience/Job Duties Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which you possess the skills, education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications.
If listed, answer all supplemental questions, as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Provide at least 4-8 sentences for each supplemental question.

Supplemental Questions
Answer the supplemental questions completely and thoughtfully. We will rate your answers based on the content of your response and your writing skills (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing).Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here.

• You must deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

  • Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, or

  • Hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or

  • Faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Additional Information

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact jessica.stroman@state.co.us.

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS).

Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado.

Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

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Our Values

We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve.

We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer.

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services.

Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities.

The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g.

uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time).

Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.