Summary

Description

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities

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.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

Employee wellness programs and facilities
Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
Medical and dental health plans
Paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master’s degree programs
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-servic

Description of Job

The Work Unit:

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) protects the health and well-being of people across Colorado by enforcing the state's air pollution laws and improving the quality of the air they breathe. The APCD handles air-related permitting and inspections of Colorado's regulated entities and proposes new regulations under existing state laws. The APCD created an Community Air Protections and Engagement Unit, within the Community and Partnership Program, to advance environmental justice through implementation of our mission. This unit coordinates closely with CDPHE’s Office of Environmental Justice (EJ) and APCD’s Communications Unit.

What you will be doing

This position exists to be a key role in supporting the APCD’s work through leading public engagement efforts to advance protections for disproportionately impacted communities and increase meaningful public participation with ACPD’s rulemakings, public comment periods, and more. This position works closely with APCD staff, leadership, and the CDPHE Office of EJ. Key duties of this position include event planning and facilitation for public meetings, post-program evaluation and follow-up, direct community engagement, and skilled coordination and collaboration with relevant Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) within CDPHE to develop plain-language outreach and communications materials. This position supports administrative processes and budget development and implementation – in coordination with APCD’s fiscal team, leadership, CDPHE Office of EJ, and others as appropriate – to ensure meetings are productive for community members and organized according to rulemakings or related requirements. The position also supports APCD’s language services work, coordinating translation and interpretation needs and helps ensure public-facing materials meet digital accessibility standards.

Job Duties:
Community Engagement, Coordination, Collaboration, Communication, and Facilitation (Internal and External)

Co-manages, oversees, and leads on APCD public engagement efforts, with a particular focus on climate and other priorities as assigned by the supervisor, work lead, or program manager, in partnership with the CDPHE Office of EJ, APCD leadership, and APCD program staff:
Researches and applies best practices, tools, and guidance for effective and meaningful community engagement and building trust with diverse communities.
Informs APCD about public health and community protections efforts according to the best available research, technology, state and federal guidance, local feedback, and community needs.
Builds rapport with and implements outreach efforts with new and diverse communities, particularly within disproportionately impacted communities, to advance trust and community public health protections.
Trains and coaches division staff on best practices for engaging with diverse audiences, including using plain language, providing language services, applying emotional intelligence and cultural competency, and providing excellent customer service to create an inclusive experience.

Administration, Tracking, Metrics, and Evaluation

Coordinates with other APCD staff and units, including the Fiscal program, to ensure administrative procedures are in place, followed, and deadlines/milestones are met. This work may include coordinating and ensuring rental agreements; official function forms; forms for participation incentives, or childcare services, and/or other stipends; budget planning; and invoice tracking/coordination/management happen in a timely manner and in accordance with APCD and CDPHE policy/guidelines and applicable laws.

Partnership strategy and coalition building, training, and community event support

Provide support and expertise to internal teams through assisting with public engagement training materials, virtual and webinar meeting platforms, and other community engagement roles. In collaboration with Colorado communities, facilitates and supports APCD and non-APCD led public engagement events to represent APCD and CDPHE, build trust, and increase transparency with communities by attending relevant events, providing information/education, and fostering a positive connection to APCD’s work and mission.
Co-plans, supports, and represents APCD and/or CDPHE at public events run by and/or in collaboration with external organizations, communities, or schools such as EcoFiesta, RTD Zero Fare for Better Air, school festivals, career events, etc.
Coordinates with APCD’s Education and Community Opportunities Unit on opportunities to engage with Colorado communities, share resources (e.g., trainings, upcoming public participation opportunities for APCD rulemakings), address community needs concerns, etc.

Strategic Communications Support – Internal and External

Co-leads on digital communication strategy and implementation for the Air Pollution Control Division, in close coordination with the APCD Communications Unit and Community and Partnership Program manager.
Audit and update division web content (e.g., using CDPHE-wide “mirror system” approach for content development and management).
Ensure timely, consistent web updates in accordance with digital accessibility requirements and best practices, plain language and language services requirements and best practices, and industry best practices for written, web, visual, and digital communication.
Stay-up-to-date on digital communication updates, trends, and technology in relation to web, social media, email marketing, intranet, graphic design, and related tools, technologies, and tactics.
Ensures brand and style compliance on the division’s and CDPHE’s digital platforms.

Other Duties as Assigned
Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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:

H1Q3XX

LIAISON III

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

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.

Experience Only:

Six (6) years of relevant experience in environmental policy, environmental studies, environmental planning, public administration, communications, public health, or closely related field.

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in environmental policy, environmental studies, environmental planning, public administration, communications, public health, or closely related field equal to Six (6) years

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience:
Understanding of air quality policies, rulemaking processes, and environmental justice principles, particularly in relation to disproportionately impacted communities.
Ability to work effectively across teams, agencies, and with external vendors to advance environmental justice and community engagement initiatives.
Familiarity with public participation processes within government agencies, air quality commissions, or environmental regulatory bodies.
Ability to develop clear, accessible, and culturally competent communication materials for diverse audiences, including fact sheets, presentations, and digital content.
Experience leading public meetings, workshops, and community forums, ensuring inclusive dialogue and engagement.
Ability to build trust and partnerships with community organizations, advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders to enhance public involvement in air quality decision-making.
Experience addressing public concerns related to environmental and climate issues, including managing difficult conversations with various points of view.
Fluency in languages spoken in disproportionately impacted communities (e.g., Spanish) or demonstrated experience working in multilingual and multicultural settings.
Knowledge of budget planning, invoice tracking, procurement processes, and contract/vendor management, particularly in a government setting.
Familiarity with online public engagement platforms, virtual meeting software (e.g., Zoom), and survey tools to enhance outreach efforts.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
TRAVEL: In-person community meetings and stakeholder engagement, approximately 8 hours per month. Overnights may be required for meetings held outside of the Denver Metro/North Front Range area.

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, atspb.colorado.gov/board-rules.

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

A completed State of Colorado application.
RESUME
COVER LETTER: describing how your professional/supervisory experience aligns with the preferred qualifications of this position and what interests you in this position
Answered supplemental questions.
If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) must be provided with application.
If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".
If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 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 cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.