Deputy Director of Outreach, Education, and Legislation: DORA EMPLOYEES ONLY: Department Promotion

Department Information

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement: 

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business need.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission. 

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail. 

• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more! 

• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

• 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 Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Tuition assistance program.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

Description of Job

The Colorado Civil Rights Division (CCRD) is charged with enforcement of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). CADA prohibits discrimination based on protected class in employment, housing, and places of public accommodation. The CCRD enforces CADA primarily through the investigation of complaints of discrimination, but also through mediation and education.

This unit conducts, coordinates, and manages the Division’s outreach, education, and legislation to further the mission of the Division. Additionally, the unit engages with stakeholders and issues recommendations regarding Division policy and strategy.

Position: SDA 3675

This position serves as a member of the senior management team and a Division Deputy, and  oversees the Division's legislative affairs, education programs, and outreach initiatives to support organizational goals. This position focuses on delivering services that are efficient, strategic, and streamlined. The position is responsible for developing and administering the Division’s education and outreach programs to inform the public/community about the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act and the Division’s role in enforcing the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA). It works closely with employers, trade associations, community and human relations programs, and community based organizations to provide education and training in anti-discrimination laws in the areas of employment, housing and places of public accommodation, as well as the Division’s administrative case process. Additionally, this position facilitates policy and procedural changes identified through key stakeholder engagement, including with legislators and the public.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Education and Training: This position leads and administers the Colorado Civil Rights Division and Commission outreach and education program under the direction of the Division Director.  Develops and conducts public outreach, education and training strategic initiatives on a state-wide basis for a variety of stakeholders, trade groups, associations, community based organizations, and advocacy groups. Project manages end-to-end event planning from identification of opportunity to reservation of venue, set-up/tear-down of display, development and purchase of collateral, coordinating attendance and delivery of prescribed messaging.  Encourages state-wide community stakeholders to take a proactive approach to the cultivation, development and proliferation of non-discriminatory best business practices within the areas of housing, public accommodations and employment in order to establish a diverse and inclusive environment for their tenants, consumers and employees. Maintains knowledge of and trains stakeholders and the public at large on current anti-discrimination laws and the Division’s administrative process. Responds to inquiries related to the enforcement of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act posed by the public in theory without providing legal advice. Trains a variety of groups and individuals on a state-wide basis to promote further understanding of applicable law, regulations, and guidelines that lead to voluntary compliance. Utilizes multiple mediums for communicating the Division’s mission, including person-to-person communication, webinars, training materials, digital content (website), email and teleconferences based on stakeholder need and preference. Updates the Division’s website with accurate, relevant, and timely information that benefits stakeholders as well as the public at large that meets Division and Department requirements. Makes recommendations to the Division Director and Departmental Executive Director regarding implementation or amendments to policies, procedures and administrative rules based upon feedback from stakeholder groups. Determines necessary trainings, events, and publications based on knowledge of stakeholders and statistical analysis of Division reports.

• Outreach, Partnership Development, and Community Needs Assessment: This position oversees and administers the development and implementation of state-wide external communication programs relevant to the application of the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act in the areas of housing, public accommodations and employment. Communicates with stakeholders, community members and the public at large in order to develop, establish, promote and maintain effective partnerships. Engages in collaborative efforts with stakeholders and partners to promote anti-discrimination outreach and education in Colorado. Recommends curriculum based upon proactive needs assessment with key stakeholders, then customizes content to meet those needs. Develops updates and distributes digital and printed materials highlighting the tenets of CADA for posting or dissemination within places of public accommodation, employment and housing state-wide. Establishes and maintains relevant community and stakeholder contacts within all communities around the state of Colorado. Independently networks with other state and federal agencies, private employers, property owners, property managers, businesses and individuals to identify training needs. Engages stakeholders to encourage education of and compliance with CADA. Manages the division’s open records requests, according to department policies and state requirements. This includes establishing and managing the division’s record collection and retention process, ensuring deadlines are met, and providing updates to the Division Director and the Executive Director’s Office. 

• Legislation: This position serves as the Division’s primary point of contact related to proposed legislation, including meeting with stakeholders and lobbyists. Develops and advocates for innovation in governance and management through the development of new initiatives and legal proposals, assessing and minimizing risk to the Division.  Serves as a leader in the Division in research and policy analysis developing efforts to streamline the handling of the multiple legislative and policy issues impacting the Division every year, serves as an effective liaison and spokesperson for the Division with state legislators, associations, other Divisions and agencies in the State. Works in close partnership with department leadership on behalf of the Division Director, including implementing guidelines, procedures, and requirements established by the DORA Director of Legislative Affairs.

• Policy Planning, Initiatives and Directives: This position develops and advocates for appropriate policy, including new initiatives and procedures to ensure the effective enforcement of CADA.  This position serves as a leader in the Division in the research and resolution of policy and stakeholder engagement issues.  This position also develops and implements new ideas by serving on local, state, regional and national committees, as well as by serving as an effective liaison and spokesperson for the Division with boards, committees, consumers, constituent industries, associations, state and local agency partners, state legislators and the media.  This position formulates and leads working groups to identify and implement policy initiatives that improve customer service and minimize regulatory burden.

• Leadership, Supervision, and Performance Management: Performs supervisory duties for designated positions, including: performance management, signing leave requests and approving work hours, assigning tasks, monitoring progress and workflow, checking the product, scheduling work, establishing work standards. Reviews work assignments for timeliness, correctness, and soundness. As a member of the senior management team, this position is responsible for establishing and implementing goals and objectives on behalf of the Division Director; participating in strategic planning; identifying, implementing, revising and maintaining administrative procedures; tracking and resolving process or system issues that disrupt workflow; monitoring the work unit’s activities for accomplishment of job assignments; ensuring requests are completed timely and accurately; participating in appropriate staff cross-training by providing training to peers/supervisors in the specific procedures/processes and ensuring that adequate technical support is provided to all staff under the position’s supervision, and providing input into the division’s long-term staffing plans.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience

Option 1: Experience

• Nine (9) years of progressively responsible professional* experience which must include ALL of the following: 

  • Tracking policy developments and updates, including monitoring legislative activity and responding to questions related to pending or proposed legislation/rulemaking;

  • Conducting extensive research to help support public engagement efforts;

  • Drafting and translating complex, technical information, and revising it to be easily understandable to a diverse audience;

  • Public/community/client outreach and/or event coordination experience, including coordinating with stakeholders appropriately to arrange logistics and/or support outgoing communications.

• Of the nine (9) years of professional* experience, one (1) year must include the following:

  • Supervisory experience over professional-level staff, including reviewing and evaluating work produced by subordinates to provide feedback and coaching when appropriate.

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience 

• Associate’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in business administration, international relations, political science, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field; AND; AND

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional* experience which must include ALL of the following: 

  • Tracking policy developments and updates, including monitoring legislative activity and responding to questions related to pending or proposed legislation/rulemaking;

  • Conducting extensive research to help support public engagement efforts;

  • Drafting and translating complex, technical information, and revising it to be easily understandable to a diverse audience;

  • Public/community/client outreach and/or event coordination experience including coordinating with stakeholders appropriately to arrange logistics and/or support outgoing communications.

• Of the seven (7) years of professional* experience, one (1) year must include the following:

  • Supervisory experience over professional-level staff, including reviewing and evaluating work produced by subordinates to provide feedback and coaching when appropriate.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in business administration, international relations, political science, public administration, public policy, or a closely related field; AND

• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional* experience which must include ALL of the following: 

  • Tracking policy developments and updates, including monitoring legislative activity and responding to questions related to pending or proposed legislation/rulemaking;

  • Conducting extensive research to help support public engagement efforts;

  • Drafting and translating complex, technical information, and revising it to be easily understandable to a diverse audience;

  • Public/community/client outreach and/or event coordination experience including coordinating with stakeholders appropriately to arrange logistics and/or support outgoing communications.

• Of the five (5) years of professional* experience, one (1) year must include the following:

  • Supervisory experience over professional-level staff, including reviewing and evaluating work produced by subordinates to provide feedback and coaching when appropriate.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed.  Part-time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience guiding and directing workflow, including holding others accountable in order to meet deadlines; 

• Experience analyzing, interpreting, and providing recommendations on legislative and policy proposals;  

• Experience developing and implementing new processes, quality improvement processes, and cost-saving measures; 

• Experience implementing new technological and system-based initiatives;

• Experience reviewing and analyzing legal documents for completeness and accuracy; 

• Project management experience, including experience tracking, monitoring and meeting strict deadlines;

• Demonstrated experience working in a state government position or working for elected or appointed officials conducting outreach and/or analyzing data and/or developing reports to support outreach and engagement efforts;

• Public and stakeholder engagement experience, including a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding related to public relations;

• Demonstrated experience planning or directing the development of communication plans or facilitation of communication plans of programs to maintain favorable public or stakeholder perceptions;

• Demonstrated experience with data interpretation and display programs.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;

• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;

• Demonstrated attention to detail;

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;

• Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;

• Ability to engage in public speaking, including presenting testimony at hearings or courts;

• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to explain complex information to stakeholders;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices, and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;

• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Sound Judgement, including the ability to make decisions/recommendations on a routine basis;

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;

• Integrity and high ethical standards;

• Accountability, reliability, including attendance;

• Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;

• Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;

• Demonstrated professional demeanor;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, Slides, etc).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.

  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information,etc.

  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.

• This position requires the ability to travel up to 5% of the time, including staying over weekends when required; and the ability to transport equipment, including, but not limited to, laptop computers, printers, manuals, and supplies.

Supplemental Information

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from [email protected] and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Part of the comparative analysis process and/or the interview process may be conducted through remote video conferencing (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application.  Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness.  Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates. 

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. 

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA 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 [email protected].

Check out our excellent benefits package!

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES

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.

Appeal Rights: 

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or 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 under Rules.

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/