Communications Manager, Colorado Workforce Development Council

Full Job Description

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job.

We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices.

We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making.

And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner.

Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

• 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

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• MotivateMe employee wellness program

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

• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces

• RTD EcoPass Commuter Program

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

Our agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

CDLE has implemented a pilot program on March 1st, 2022 which will award Disability Hiring Preference Points similar to the Veterans’ Preference Points program.

During your application process you will be asked if you would like to be considered for either of these programs for additional points in the hiring process.

To learn more about Disability Hiring Preference and what will be required to participate, please visit our website: https://sites.google.com/state.co.us/disability-hiring-preference/home

PLEASE NOTE: With the beginning of this program, CDLE will no longer accept attachments of any kind with applications.

Please be as thorough as possible in documenting your education and work history in the application system.

Attachments will not be accepted or considered during any phase of the hiring process including minimum qualification screening, comparative analysis, or interviews.

Requirements

The salary range for this posting is:
HOURLY
$43.90 - $51.16
BIWEEKLY
$3,512.31 - $4,093.14
MONTHLY
$7,610.00 - $8,868.47

The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is a Governor-appointed, public-private partnership with the purpose to advise, oversee, and integrate the work of the Colorado talent development network. The CWDC Office is the work unit that supports the Council. Our vision is that every Colorado employer has access to a skilled workforce and every Coloradan has the opportunity for meaningful employment, resulting in individual and statewide economic prosperity. The CWDC’s mission is to enhance and sustain a skills-based talent development network that meets the needs of employers, workers, job seekers, and learners for today and tomorrow. The CWDC's values are equity, agility, and integration.

The Communications Manager plays a critical role in communicating the work of the CWDC and partners to a wide variety of stakeholders across workforce development, economic development, education and training, business, and community-based services. This position reports to the Assistant Director, Strategic Engagement, and this position manages the Communications Team within the Communications and Engagement Unit and leads communications strategy, content creation, engagement, and media relations

This position is instrumental in developing and implementing strategies that enhance CWDC effectiveness and visibility.

Working closely with internal teams and external partners, the Communication Manager is the CWDC lead staff person for strategic communications, ensuring effective development of a comprehensive communications strategy and overseeing all communications staff.

This position may act on behalf of the CWDC Leadership Team by serving on internal and external committees and task groups as assigned and attending conferences, meetings, and other events to represent the CWDC.

Key Duties

Communications strategy, implementation, and brand management: Develop and lead communications strategies and plans, leveraging best practices to achieve organizational goals.

Inform, engage, and drive action with key audiences by defining audience segmentation and personas and crafting key messages.

Manage and enhance brand identity and develop and maintain an editorial calendar to ensure consistency in voice, cadence, and visuals.

Track and analyze key metrics to measure effectiveness and guide continuous improvement.

Writing, editing, and content creation: Oversee and contribute to the development of a wide breadth of content, including web content, newsletters, webinars, talking points, emails, conference proposals, and videos.

This involves summarizing and/or interpreting technical or complex information for a variety of audiences while maintaining the CWDC voice.

Websites and technology: Contribute communications expertise to multiple technology projects and website at different phases, including the development, promotion, change management, and evaluation.

Meetings facilitation and event design: Design presentations, meetings, trainings, and events to engage partners with the work and resources of the CWDC and provide value to audiences; facilitate groups; track impacts and metrics.

This would work include partners from workforce development, economic development, education and training, and community-based organizations from state, local, and national levels.

Leadership and supervision of Communications Team: Recognize challenges and develop solutions; manage a team of four, including hiring, onboarding, creating and tracking goals, assigning work, ensuring accountability, and coaching; fostering psychological safety and accessibility; and developing structures and practices to enhance engagement and problem-solve.

Communications coaching: Identify opportunities to upskill CWDC team in relation to communications and provide or coordinate training. Develop conference proposals and presentations.

Prepare colleagues for external speaking opportunities and media interviews. Respond to media inquiries in partnership with GPPR and in compliance with all media-related SPPs.

This position must exhibit professionalism and the political tact to be able to deal with a variety of situations and individuals from various demographic, geographic and industries in Colorado.

This position involves working with high-level business representatives from every geographic region of the State as well as the Executive Directors of State Agencies, local workforce representatives, local elected officials, and the staff from the Governor's Office.

It requires a great deal of political tact and an inherent ability to read situations and adjust appropriately.

Qualifications

Residency Requirement:

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience Only:

Eight (8) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position to include:

• Development and implementation of a communication strategy on behalf of a company or public entity.
• Management of branding, marketing, and communication channels.
• Drafting professional communication releases and official business updates for internal and/or external partners.

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience performing similar duties as a State of Colorado classified employee.
• Experience with Workforce Development programs.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with state government processes and initiatives related to Workforce Development.
• Two or more years of supervision experience.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a current resident of Colorado.

• Must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.

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 dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us 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.

Additional Information

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact: chris.mcgill@state.co.us

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying.

Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process.

Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application.

Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. CDLE does not accept attachments of any kind during the application process.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit with your application materials.

Therefore, it is extremely important to document in the work experience/job duties portion of your online application the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement.

It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on your writing ability (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing) as well as the content of your answer.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE AND/OR FUTURE VACANCIES

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 State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment 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, Sean Montoya, at sean.montoya@state.co.us.

Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.