DOLA Deputy Division Director (Division of Housing - OHI and ORA)

Full Job Description

Who can Apply

This opportunity is only open to residents of the State of Colorado.

About the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities.

The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration.

While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.

Vision

The Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through: accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building; strategic training, research, and technical assistance; and funding to localities.

Mission

Our mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communities.

Why work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?

The work we do matters greatly. It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado. We love our communities and are passionate about supporting our communities.

We value the diversity that Colorado offers.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.

In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:

• Medical and Dental Plans

• Strong, secure, yet flexible Retirement Plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans

• Employee Wellness Programs

• Paid Life Insurance

• 11 paid Holidays per year plus Vacation and Sick Leave

• Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage

• RTD Eco Pass to all eligible State Employees

• Flexible work schedule options and hybrid work options

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

• Training opportunities

• Variety of Free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

Please see the Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

Requirements

The Division of Housing (DOH) partners with local communities to create housing opportunities for Coloradans who face the greatest challenges in accessing affordable, safe, and secure homes. DOH supports projects ranging from homelessness prevention to homeownership. Our work includes:

• Increasing and preserving Colorado's inventory of affordable housing.

• Managing rental assistance vouchers.

• Creating and supporting collaborative approaches to end homelessness.

• Regulating mobile home parks and the construction and installation of factory-built structures.

For more information visit the Division of Housing online.

Position Summary

The Deputy Division Director of Office of Homeless Initiatives (OHI) and Office of Rental Assistance (ORA) exists to provide oversight for the objectives of the Division of Housing.

This position evaluates state and federal statutory changes and recommends modifications to rules and policies that affect the Division’s programs.

This position exists to provide leadership and administration by defining program objectives, developing guidelines to implement the agency’s mission for all DOH programs including but not limited to DOH’s Offices of rental assistance and homeless initiatives, including the administration of housing vouchers.

This also includes programs overseeing home modifications for accessibility and the facility operations of supportive residential communities and the oversight of navigation campuses serving people faced with homelessness as a DOH Deputy Director.

This position provides direction to assigned state employees and local agencies regarding policy, program, fiscal administration and evaluation activities related to the above programs.

This position must have an understanding of national and state housing issues that affect the Department’s consumers and serves as a nationally recognized authority on housing persons with special needs to other housing agencies around the state and country.

The position also establishes policies for administration of the programs, implements and enforces those policies, and directs staff to carry out those policies.

The specific duties and responsibilities of the position include but are not limited to:

Program, Policy and Process Improvement

• This position works with Division leadership to make continuous improvement to DOH services, programs, policies and procedures.

Create a vision and design strategy, systems, processes, guidelines, rules and standards for improvements in cooperation with senior staff and partner agencies.

Develop broad program and policy recommendations for the Division Director and Governor’s Office.

These policy recommendations must take into account the complexities of federal and state law/regulation and the potential impact on stakeholders and clients.

• Participate in legislative working groups to provide expertise on Colorado’s housing issues and Division Programs. Identify opportunities to expand programs and make recommendations to both the Division Director and to partner agencies.

• The Division Director relies on the advice and counsel of this position based on their knowledge of DOH programs, housing and organizational best practices and State and Federal law and policies.

Supervision

• Provides formal supervision, direction and training to direct report managers and approximately 60 staff as second and third level supervisor.

• Provides oversight in all areas of program operations including developing and setting methods, priorities, objectives and assignments to meet program goals.

• Develops and monitors work plans, coaches staff, and approves and/or denies leave requests to assure adequate team coverage.

• Delegates assignments and conducts regular team meetings to educate staff about new program requirements.

• Provides decision-making support to direct reports regarding staffing size, structure and management in order to best accomplish program goals.

• Thought partner with senior staff reports to improve program outcomes and solve program challenges.

Information Management and Communications

• The position ensures that external communications accurately reflect Division mission, policy, and programs. This includes developing and/or reviewing talking points, reports, informational fliers, legislative responses, and media responses.

• Position maintains and organizes responses such that future responses may refer to those provided in the past.

• Position reviews proposed legislation for its Offices and provides technical input as it relates to Division activities and policy.

• Position is the point person for Division audits for its Offices, working with auditors, accounting, budget and program staff.

Backup for Division Director

• The position serves as the backup for the Division Director for legislative, Governor’s Office, media and public requests for appearances or information.

• Position will participate in and make presentations at legislative hearings on behalf of the Division Director.

• Position may sign pay requests, memos and HR documents when the Director is not available.

• Participates in Division Directors meetings and State Housing Board meetings as a representative of the Division.

Fiscal Oversight

• The position is responsible for the oversight of DOH State and Federal Housing Voucher and Homelessness funding programs.

• Analyzes program utilization and works with Office Directors to determine whether to apply for future program dollars through Decision Items or Emergency Supplemental Request.

• Oversees fiscal notes for Offices in response to proposed new legislation to ensure that fiscal impacts are accounted for in the bill allocations.

Facilities Operations and Oversight

• This position is responsible for the efficient facility operations of the Supportive Residential Communities at Fort Lyon and Sage Ridge.

• This includes daily facility needs and planning for facility needs into the future.

Qualifications

Class Code & Classification Description

H6G8XX MANAGEMENT

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Experience Only: Ten (10) years of experience managing a program or department in affordable housing, human services, or within a regulatory environment.

This experience must have included supervising management level staff.

Two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.

*A regulatory environment is the system of laws, rules, policies, and institutions set by governments and industry bodies that dictate how businesses must operate.

OR

Education and Experience: A combination of related education in business administration, nonprofit administration, public administration, political science or a closely related field (as determined by the agency) AND experience as described above equal to ten (10) years.

Education substitutes for the general experience.

Ensure that the 'Work Experience" section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for.

Applicants must upload their unofficial college transcripts that include the student name, college name, courses completed and/or degree with date conferred with this application, in order to receive credit.

Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution.

Required Competencies

• Ability to interpret federal and state regulations or program guidelines

• Ability to consult, advise and work collaboratively across teams

• Capability to sustain a respectful and productive work environment that inspires teamwork and positive results

• Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret a variety of data to identify trends and draw conclusions

• Strong attention to detail

• Strong analytical skills

• Strong dedication to public service

• Excellent problem-solving skills

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills

• Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and organize work to accommodate shifting deadlines

• Planning and organizational skills

• Ability to provide clear, concise, and objective responses to complex program questions

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word, and Google Suite

• Strong interpersonal skills

• Ability to de-escalate and resolve conflicts

• Ability to create accessible documents and technical content that follows plain language guidelines with accessibility in mind.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with strategic planning and implementation

• Knowledge of federal and state housing program requirements

• Experience with policy and guidelines development and implementation

• Experience with business development

• Experience supervising a team or multiple primary and secondary staff

• Outstanding leadership skills and human resource management

• Excellent problem solving skills

• Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with a variety of stakeholders

• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills

Conditions of Employment

• You MUST be a Colorado resident (at the time of application) to apply for this position.

• Pre-employment criminal and financial background checks will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. DOLA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. DOLA does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.

Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application.

Applications left blank or marked “See Resume” will not be accepted. Please address every requirement for the position with your experience in your application.

The application may include the following documents that MUST be uploaded at the time of application:

• A resume (this is not a substitute for the online application demonstrating work history)

• Cover letter / letter of interest

• Transcripts (if using education to meet the minimum qualifications)

• DD214 (member-4 form) from applicants that may be eligible for veteran’s preference

Comparative Analysis

Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) are required to participate in the comparative analysis process through this job posting.

Applications will be reviewed to determine if you meet the Minimum Qualifications (MQs) for the position. Applicants that meet MQ’s will be included in the Comparative Analysis process.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis which may include, but is not limited to, a suitability screening, training and experience review, eSkills Assessment, oral assessment, written performance assessment or it may include a review of your application and your responses to any supplemental questions by a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to assess and rank applicants.

Be sure your application specifically addresses the requirements as listed in the minimum qualifications.

Address your specialized experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position duties, required competencies and preferred qualifications in order to establish an eligible list for referral to the hiring manager for final consideration.

Additional Information

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.

DOLA 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 a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Melissa Bellew, DOLA ADA Coordinator at melissa.bellew@state.co.us.

Email Address: All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email.

Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email.

Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses.

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

Biweekly Pay: As of July 1, 2023, all DOLA new hires, including transfers of current state employees and reinstatements of former state employees, will be placed on the biweekly pay schedule.

This means you will be paid every other Friday for a total of 26 pay periods over the course of a year.

Biweekly pay is also lag pay, meaning you will be paid two weeks after the end of each pay period. Please click here for more information about the move to biweekly payroll.

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

uploading or attaching documents to your online application) please contact 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 first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

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 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.

For questions related to this job posting, please reach out to Danielle Milone via email at danielle.milone@state.co.us.