**CDHS/BHA ONLY - 988 Communications Supervisor**

Department Information

Located within the Behavioral Health Administration work unit, pursuant to House Bill (HB) 21-1097. HB21-1097 provides that a Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) was created to be a single-state entity. It was initially established under CDHS as of July 1, 2022, and will provide administrative and “back-of-the-house” support as long as the BHA remains under CDHS’ purview. The BHA is a permanent entity that will be responsible for leading and promoting the state’s behavioral health priorities and efforts across agencies, creating shared goals, improving collaboration, and driving accountability and transparency. The BHA will provide oversight and coordinate service standards across the hundreds of behavioral health programs that currently exist under multiple state agencies and the Judicial Branch. The BHA will also work to ensure the recommendations that resulted from the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) and multiple ancillary projects evolving out of the work of the BHTF are honored and implemented, to ensure and meet our vision of having a comprehensive, equitable, effective continuum of behavioral health services that meets the needs of all Coloradans. Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight for the public behavioral health system. BHA funds, supports and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers, and reviews and designates the State’s 27-65 providers and licenses substance use disorder service providers. BHA executes the State’s federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the State Substance Abuse Authority for the purposes of administering federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funds.

The 988 Division, housed within the Behavioral Health Administration, is responsible for the operation, oversight, and strategic development of Colorado’s 988 Mental Health Line. Established pursuant to federal law and state statute (SB21-154 and SB25-236), the 988 Mental Health Line operates as a TABOR-defined Enterprise, providing a sustainable and dedicated funding structure to support crisis services statewide. The Division ensures that all Coloradans have access to a 24/7, easy-to-remember, and confidential entry point for behavioral health crisis services through phone, text, and chat. It manages statewide contracts with the 988 contact center, provides fiscal and programmatic oversight, ensures compliance with state and federal requirements, and advances coordination with local, regional, and national partners. In addition, the 988 Division leads efforts to expand public awareness, integrate the 988 Mental Health Line with the broader behavioral health and emergency response systems (including 911), and promote consistent quality of care. This work supports the BHA’s mission to create a comprehensive, effective, and accessible behavioral health continuum by ensuring Coloradans in crisis are connected quickly and seamlessly to the help they need.

Description of Job

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

The Marketing and Communications Specialist V serves as the Unit Supervisor for the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line Marketing and Communications Team. The position is responsible for supervising staff, coordinating day-to-day marketing, communications, and outreach activities, and ensuring effective execution of approved public awareness and engagement initiatives.

The role translates established strategic direction and BHA communications standards into operational work plans, assigns and prioritizes staff work, and ensures consistency, quality, and timeliness of communications deliverables. The position provides routine coordination with internal partners and vendors, supports reporting and performance tracking, and ensures that outreach and messaging accurately reflect current 988 services and system pathways. 

Duties:

Marketing and Communications Leadership - Supervises and coordinates the day-to-day marketing, communications, and outreach activities of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line. Oversees the execution of approved communications initiatives to support public awareness, education, and engagement related to 988 services, ensuring consistency with established 988 messaging, BHA communications guidance, accessibility requirements, and approved strategic direction.

Vendor and Partner Oversight - Coordinates and oversees marketing and outreach-related vendors and partners supporting the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line to ensure deliverable quality, schedule adherence, and alignment with approved 988 messaging, BHA communications guidance, and contract requirements. Serves as the primary operational point of contact for communications vendors, facilitating coordination and issue resolution while escalating contractual or performance concerns to the 988 Director as appropriate.

Outreach Staff Supervision and Oversight - Provides direct supervisory oversight of outreach staff assigned within the Marketing and Communications Team. Ensures outreach activities are coordinated with approved communications initiatives, vendor-supported efforts, and current 988 operational priorities. This position is a direct supervisor responsible for performance management, workload oversight, and coordination of outreach activities.

Fiscal Accountability, Reporting, and Other Duties - Provides coordination and administrative support related to marketing and communications activities, including documentation, tracking, and compilation of information for leadership review.. The function of this duty is to support accurate information flow, internal coordination, and timely preparation of materials related to communications activities.

Other Duties as Assigned - Other Duties as Assigned
 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

• Eight (8) years of relevant experience in Government Communications, Marketing Campaign Development and Execution, Public Information, Public Affairs, Community Outreach, Behavioral Health, Healthcare, Crisis Response, or Human Services Communications, and Supervisory experience.

OR

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in Government Communications, Marketing Campaign Development and Execution, Public Information, Public Affairs, Community Outreach, Behavioral Health, Healthcare, Crisis Response, or Human Services Communications, and Supervisory experience. equal to eight (8) years.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• State government communications experience

• Supervisory experience

• Marketing campaign development and execution experience

• Public information, public affairs, or community outreach experience

• Behavioral health, healthcare, crisis response, or human services communications experience

• Experience managing external vendors and marketing contracts

• Experience with digital marketing, social media, web content, and public awareness campaigns

• Experience preparing executive-level briefing materials and presentations

• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills

• Experience working in politically sensitive or highly visible public-facing environments 

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background check and reference check required
• 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
• MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD CHECK: This position will drive a state fleet or non-state fleet vehicle for State business purposes.

• Travel: Occasional statewide travel is required for outreach events and partner meetings.

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

1. Disclose that information on the application.

2. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

3. Provide your employee number from your 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 in the application form. 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 reviewing and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from standardized testing. 

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent that 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 be deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

  • By email ([email protected]), 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.

Supplemental Information

• How to apply to the State of Colorado(Youtube Video, Runtime 3:59, Closed Captions Available)

• The Assessment Process

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.

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 [email protected].

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.

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Supplemental Questions

Required Question

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/