Department Information

Work Unit:

The Division of Economic and Workforce Support is responsible for ongoing implementation of an array of Adult Financial Assistance Programs (Old Age Pension, State Burial Assistance, Aid to the Needy Disabled, Home Care Allowance, and Colorado Supplement), the Colorado Works Program, Employment First and other workforce development services. Adult Financial Assistance programs provide a safety net for elderly and disabled indigent adults. Colorado Works is the state’s Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program; it is designed to assist participants to terminate their dependence on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work, and marriage, and to develop strategies and policies that focus on ensuring that participants are in work activities as soon as possible. The Colorado Works program, in its design, also promotes investment into capacity building and prevention work to strengthen families, provides for positive youth development and healthy relationships.

The programs operate in all counties in Colorado and are administered locally by the county departments of human/social services. The Employment First program is operated by counties and contracted program operators. The Division supervises county departments of human/social services and program operators in the administration of these programs and is responsible for assuring that all counties and program operators comply with the terms of their county policies, contractual obligations and all federal and state statutes and regulations. Division staff write state-level policies and rules; train county staff and program operators on policies, procedures, and effective case management skills; provide technical assistance to counties and program operators on automated systems issues; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives affecting programs operation; report to the federal government federal programs; monitor county and program operator performance; and allocate funds to the counties and program operators for their use in implementing the program. The Division is the primary link between the county departments of human/social services and program operators and the federal government on issues regarding welfare reform and disabled individuals receiving Social Security Insurance (SSI). The Division also works closely with other Divisions and Offices within the Department, other state agencies, the General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, and client advocacy organizations in the implementation of welfare reform.

Description of Job

Hybrid remote working arrangements. Currently this position is required to be in-person on an as needed basis. Effective September 1, 2023 this position will be required to be in the office at least 2x a week.

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  The position exists to review, analyze, write, and amend Adult Financial, Colorado Works and Employment First rules and regulations (Volume III) and make policy decisions on rule and regulation alternatives that will best serve the Division and positively enhance the program at both the state, county, and program operator levels. Agency management routinely relies on the essential consultation of the position before deciding on broad, critical program and policy direction.

• This position provides 64 counties, program operators and other stakeholders with program policy, systems expertise, and technical and policy interpretation as it relates to the implementation of Volume III rules and federal regulations at the state, county, and program operator levels. The role will direct overall program planning.

• The position liaisons with the Colorado Department of Revenue, the Colorado Attorney General’s Office, the US Office of Health, and the Human Services Office of Civil Rights in order to ensure that all applicable laws and regulations are included and updated in state statute and Volume III.

• The position is also responsible for planning and resolving inter-agency needs. The manager will lead, oversee, and is responsible for managing the duties and activities of the program unit including:

• Program and process implementation to assure that counties are complying with federal regulations, state statutes, CDHS State Board rules and regulations, and county policies;

• data system troubleshooting and modification;

• evaluate and monitor the effectiveness of program approaches and identify avenues to improve practices of the counties;

• provision of technical assistance and consultation to county and program operator staff;

• legislative, rule, policy, and other types of changes and provide analysis and recommendations for same; and

• participation in task forces, committees or work groups to provide program guidance and clarification, and provide input on policy and legislative issues that have a direct impact on the program.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications:

Experience:

A minimum of 5 years of professional experience developing, overseeing, and facilitating project planning, change management practices and implementation activities which must include experience using data to inform program changes.

AND

Education:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree.

Substitutions:

• A combination of work experience in the occupational field or specialized subject area of the work assigned to the job, which provided the same kind, amount, and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree.

• A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in Business or Information Technology may be substituted for the experience on a year-for-year basis.

• care deeply about transforming government advocate for equity, diversity and inclusion
• understand how operations can help to address barriers for marginalized populations
• want to spend your days working on something that matters, helping people in meaningful ways
• are methodical and detail-oriented
• are responsive to changing needs and requirements, excited about working in a fast-paced environment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Supervision and performance management experience

• In-depth expertise in TANF and/or Adult Financial Assistance programs
• Ability to interpret and write program regulations
• 2+ years researching and analyzing operational impacts of public policy or program rules for public assistance programs
• 2+ years leading process improvements
• Ability to think strategically and create actionable plans for future program changes in advance
• Ability to lead in a manner that prioritizes psychological safety and inclusion
• Ability to work with staff and leadership to balance priorities and workloads
• Success in working across different units and teams to solve complex problems and challenges
• Ability to appropriately resolve problems at the lowest level prior to escalation
• 2+ years supervising teams administering or performance monitoring public assistance programs
• A high degree of organizational skills
• Attention to detail and the ability to exercise independent judgment based on an understanding of program policies, directives, and activities
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, multi-tasking in a fast-paced environment, balancing business needs, resolving competing priorities and meeting project deadlines
• Successfully managed a large portfolio or program with multiple business stakeholders
• Ability to communicate effectively across multiple levels of the organization including managing through cross-business areas or business unit prioritization discussions

Conditions of Employment

• Background check, reference check.
• Ability to occasionally travel throughout the State as needed.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s 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.

Supplemental Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org 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
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

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  Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.

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.

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.

ADAA Accommodations: CDHS 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, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~