Workforce Development Director - Term Limited 6/30/2027

About the Department

Hybrid position, 3 - 4 days in the office.  Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change. 

Position Duties

The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration Workforce Development Director develops and implements statewide workforce strategies to recruit, train, and retain a diverse behavioral/mental health workforce, aligning with BHA’s goal of increasing access to quality behavioral and mental health. They set strategic vision and goals for the unit, collaborating closely with agency leadership, state officials, and external stakeholders (e.g., educational institutions, provider networks). The Director recommends policies and procedures to the BHA Commissioner to support workforce standards, equity, culturally responsive care, and regulatory compliance, and remains knowledgeable of current legislation affecting behavioral health education, supervision requirements, funding streams, and workforce trends to incorporate these changes into state policy frameworks and recommendations to the BHA Commissioner. This Director designs and manages training programs—including clinical supervision models, continuing education, and licensure pathways information. They work across the Administration to administer grants and contracts, ensuring effective use of federal/state funding and compliance with regulations. The Director oversees data tracking and evaluation, measuring outcomes such as workforce capacity, diversity, retention, and impact on care access. They supervise a team of managers, coordinators, and support staff and are responsible for staffing, performance evaluation, and professional development. This role fosters a strong organizational culture and maintains operational efficiency, including budgeting and resource allocation. This Director acts as the primary liaison with universities, licensing boards, advocacy groups, counties, and communities to align workforce development efforts with statewide needs and guides the development of public-private partnerships, apprenticeship models, and innovative training collaborations.

Job duties:
Leading, Planning, Execution
The Workforce Development Director provides strategic leadership and disciplined execution for the BHA Workforce Development. This role designs and drives a statewide, multi-year strategy to build, sustain, and grow Colorado’s behavioral health workforce—aligning operations, partnerships, funding, and policy to deliver equitable access to high-quality care across all regions of the state. They manage and prioritize initiatives required by statute, the statewide behavioral health workforce development report, and directives from the Appointing Authority (AA). They develop and lead a multi-year, cross-agency strategic plan and execute the BHA Workforce Development 2026–2028 plan. This Director convenes, coordinates, and galvanizes statewide partners and directs priorities based on statewide needs and available resources. They identify process improvements and efficiency gains across the MH/BH field and advise the AA on legislative and operational recommendations. This role ensures long-term sustainability and growth and aligns roles, decision rights, and cross-functional workflows (e.g., grants, data, training, stakeholder engagement) to reduce duplication and increase throughput. The Director leads initiatives required by statute, those stemming from the statewide workforce development report, and any directives from the AA—sequencing work, assigning owners, and tracking deliverables to on-time, compliant completion. They maintain audit-ready documentation and status reporting for legislatively mandated tasks. This role develops a 3–5 year strategy for behavioral health workforce development across agencies (e.g., BHA, CDPHE, CDHS, DORA boards, higher education, local public health agencies) and recommends statewide WFD objectives, regional goals, metrics, funding pathways, and governance mechanisms to the BHA Commissioner and Chief Strategy Officer. This Staff Authority maintains real-time awareness of workforce initiatives underway across Colorado (rural/frontier, urban, tribal, academic, provider networks) and meets with BHA colleagues, state agencies, and local stakeholders to identify geographic areas in need of workforce development plans. The Director facilitates local goal-setting and tactics (e.g., training capacity, supervision pipelines, retention incentives) and uses system alignment methods to convene and lead statewide partners critical to success (providers, schools, licensing boards, associations, counties, payers) to commit resources and deliver coordinated solutions. This role identifies opportunities to coordinate resources, braid funds (state/federal/private), and align programs (apprenticeships, clinical supervision, CE, scholarship/supplemental training) to address statewide and regional workforce challenges. They lead strategic planning with critical partners to remove barriers (e.g., placement, licensure, supervision availability). They diagnose bottlenecks, propose process improvements, and make legislative and general recommendations to the AA to modernize workforce pathways (e.g., licensure portability, supervision flexibility, incentives for rural service).

Coaching and Developing Staff
The Workforce Development Director provides leadership in building a high-performing, collaborative Workforce Development (WFD) team by coaching, mentoring, and developing staff to achieve unit and departmental goals. This role ensures clarity of expectations, fosters professional growth, and creates an environment where team members work collectively toward BHA’s workforce development objectives. This Director leads the sequencing of work, assigning owners, and tracking deliverables to on-time, compliant completion. They clarify goals and expectations by working with all staff to ensure unit and departmental objectives are understood and aligned with individual responsibilities. This role provides coaching by regularly offering feedback and guidance to staff through structured performance management processes. They offer professional development through training, mentorship, and tailored growth opportunities for each staff member’s career trajectory. This position determines appropriate specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound (SMART) goals for each team member based on role, capacity, and unit priorities. They host recurring team meetings and one-on-one sessions to maintain alignment, address challenges, and celebrate progress. The WFD Director ensures the WFD team works cohesively to meet unit goals and objectives, fostering a culture of accountability and shared success.

Monitoring/Evaluation 
The Workforce Development Director ensures accountability and transparency in the implementation of Colorado’s behavioral health workforce development initiatives by designing and executing robust monitoring and evaluation systems. This role measures progress, enforces outcomes, and drives data-informed decisions to achieve long-term sustainability and growth. This Director creates a framework to track progress toward completing the workforce development implementation plan, including KPIs, benchmarks, and timelines. They manage the building and maintenance of statewide and regional dashboards that visualize progress and regularly share statistics with leadership and stakeholders. The Director reviews the analysis of monthly quantitative and qualitative metrics and identifies trends and gaps in workforce development outcomes. They use data-driven decision-making to determine steps to address underperformance or delays in achieving plan objectives. This role monitors vendor and partner contracts and interagency agreements to ensure deliverables and outcomes are met and applies corrective measures when necessary. They develop and monitor the unit budget to ensure efficient resource utilization and alignment with strategic priorities. This Director develops, publishes, and updates internal WFD reports for leadership and the Appointing Authority. They assess the effectiveness of workforce initiatives and recommend improvements based on data insights.

 Community Relations
The Workforce Development Director leads efforts to build, maintain, and strengthen relationships with community stakeholders to advance Colorado’s behavioral health workforce development initiatives. This role ensures effective collaboration, transparent communication, and strategic partnerships that expand access and improve outcomes statewide. They assign team members to develop and maintain relationships with local partners, ensuring coverage across regions and sectors. They work closely with state and local government agencies, schools, providers, community colleges, and workforce boards to convene groups and foster positive relationships. This Director disseminates timely updates on workforce development initiatives and solicits feedback to inform strategy and implementation. They serve as the primary representative of statewide behavioral health workforce initiatives in communities and official capacities as directed by the Appointing Authority. The Director identifies and establishes new partnerships with populations and agencies not currently engaged with BHA and repairs relationships with entities where past interactions were adversarial. They define and pursue partnership opportunities that enhance statewide workforce development efforts and ensure all media and marketing efforts comply with BHA Communications team standards and guidelines.

Special Projects/Collaboration  
This Staff Authority leads and manages special projects and statewide collaboration efforts that drive systems change and advance behavioral health workforce development in Colorado. This role ensures quality, diversity, and sustainability of service delivery and funding streams while implementing initiatives aligned with legislative directives and the Blueprint for Behavioral Health Reform. WFD Director directs ongoing efforts to transform behavioral health workforce systems, ensuring alignment with statewide goals and equity principles. They design and implement projects based on legislative funding, departmental directives, and recommendations from the Commissioner, Chief Strategy Officer, and stakeholders. They actively participate in statewide workforce development meetings and lead/co-lead these meetings when appropriate to influence policy and practice. The unit may research and identify potential funding sources and develop proposals for specially funded projects or initiatives. This Director conducts presentations across Colorado to share workforce initiatives, gather feedback, and strengthen stakeholder relationships. They ensure service delivery models and funding streams reflect local needs and promote diversity and inclusion. This position directs and supports regional workforce development projects to ensure consistency with statewide strategies.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience 

Nine (9) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position. Relevant areas may include behavioral health, workforce development, strategic planning, project or program management, public administration, organizational development, or a related field.

Or

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to nine (9) years. Examples of related education may include coursework or degrees in Public Administration, Social Work, Psychology, Behavioral Health, Public Health, Human Resources, Business Administration, or Organizational Leadership.

Preferred Qualifications and Essential Competencies:

• Master’s degree in a related field such as Public Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Organizational Leadership, or Behavioral Health.

• Project Management Professional (PMP), SHRM-CP/SCP, CWDP, or similar professional certification.

• 7–10 years of leadership experience in workforce development or behavioral health systems.

• Demonstrated success leading statewide or regional initiatives related to workforce development, systems reform, or service delivery redesign.

• Experience in identifying and securing funding through proposals or grants.

• Knowledge of behavioral health policy, statewide service systems, or government reform efforts.

• Familiarity with equity, diversity, and inclusion principles in workforce planning.

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background check and references required

• Motor Vehicle Check, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an ongoing capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties, OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.

• Shift Work:  Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm, some evenings and weekends may be needed  

• Hybrid position - travel to the office location
• Term Limited position with an end date of June 30, 2027.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

  • Disclose that information on the application.

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

  • 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. 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 a review and rating of all the information you submit. The comparative analysis step may also include your results from an eSkills Test. 

Your Work Experience/Job Duties

Document your work experience/job duties to the extent to which 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.

Other Qualifications

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

• The Assessment Process

• For additional recruiting questions, please contact: [email protected]

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.

Required Supplemental Questions:

• (Multiple Choice) The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. 

  • Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

    • This information is available to me and I have read this information.

    • I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

• Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting  your application. Yes/No

• If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process.  If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application.

In the space below, please explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify your application from the current position. 

 

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support

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/