Federal Survivor Benefits Program Administrator

The Division of Child Welfare (DCW) provides a range of leadership, management, and supervisory functions related to the delivery of public child welfare services to children, youth, and families. DCW provides administrative supervision for all child welfare programs in Colorado’s 64 counties and delivers technical support, monitoring, program improvement, regulatory oversight, and other quality assurance functions.

The purpose of the Finance Unit is to supervise and monitor 64 county departments of human/social services in
the operation and delivery of child welfare programs for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children and youth in
a county-administered state-supervised system. The Finance Unit is headed by a single manager. The Finance Unit ensures that all fiscal rules, policies, and responsibilities; state law; and federal requirements are adhered to across DCW. DCW allocates and oversees approximately $630,000,000 in federal and state grants for county programs and operations. DCW develops, analyzes, and implements legislative, budgetary, and policy initiatives and recommendations related to public child welfare services in Colorado.  DCW develops policy, rules, and agency administrative directives and procedures to be implemented at the county level.  DCW provides program expertise and consultation to counties and researches, advances, and promotes best practices and evidence-informed programs.  DCW manages and coordinates State efforts to maximize federal revenues and program requirements, including the Child and Family Services Review and Program Improvement Plan, Title IV-E, Title IV-B/Annual Progress and Service Report, and the federal reporting systems (AFCARS, NCANDS, and Colorado’s automated case management system, TRAILS).

The Finance Unit exists to direct, lead, and supervise the county departments of human/social services and service providers in the fiscal operations of child welfare programs through development and implementation of new programs, policies, and rules; training of county staff on fiscal policies and procedures; evaluation and provision of technical assistance to counties on systems issues and ongoing implementation; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives; report to the federal government on implementation of federal funding programs; monitor county performance in their implementation of child welfare related to budget and funding issues; and allocate state and federal funds to the counties for their use in implementing child welfare services.

This position is a hybrid position. 

Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change.

This position serves as the statewide program administrator and subject matter expert responsible for implementation, oversight, and continuous improvement of Federal Benefits for Youth in Foster Care. The position develops rules, statewide guidance, fiscal controls, monitoring systems, and training to ensure counties comply with statutory screening, representative payee, conservation, non-supplantation, notice, and release requirements. This role ensures consistent and lawful administration of federal survivor benefits across Colorado’s 64 counties. 

The position develops statewide rules, policy guidance, fiscal controls, monitoring systems, and training infrastructure to ensure federal survivor benefits are individually conserved and protected for the direct benefit of children and youth in foster care in accordance with statute and federal regulations.

This position serves as the primary statewide liaison and subject matter expert coordinating with the Social Security Administration (SSA), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), Colorado ABLE within the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), and other state and federal partners to establish implementation processes and fiscal safeguards related to federal survivor benefits for youth in foster care. The position ensures statewide implementation does not create unintended impacts on Medicaid eligibility, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility, federal tax reporting requirements, or protected asset and resource limitations associated with federal and state benefit programs.

Summary of Job Duties:
Senior Authority Statewide Policy Development & Program Implementation
Serves as the statewide expert in federal survivor benefits and the lead policy developer responsible for drafting and revising administrative rules and standards required under CRS 19-7-105 and related sections.

Leads development and implementation of statewide policies, rules, procedures, and operational guidance to ensure compliance with statutory requirements governing federal survivor benefits for youth in foster care. Drafts policy manuals, procedural guidance, templates, and training materials.

Ensures alignment between state statute, federal regulations, fiscal constraints, and county operational practices.

Coordinates and consults with SSA, IRS, HCPF, Colorado ABLE within CDHE, and other governmental entities to develop statewide implementation standards, fiscal safeguards, representative payee procedures, account establishment processes, and eligibility protection protocols associated with federal survivor benefits for youth in foster care. 
Designs and implements statewide transition protocols for federal survivor benefits, including procedures for benefit initiation upon entry into foster care, reassessment during placement changes, continuity of representative payee services, coordination of interagency transfers, and final benefit release and account closure when youth exit care or reach eligibility milestones.

Representative Payee & Screening Oversight
Develops statewide screening protocols and monitoring systems to ensure counties consistently identify eligible youth and pursue federal survivor benefits as required by statute. Designs and implements statewide oversight mechanisms to monitor county compliance with screening timelines, eligibility determinations, appeals processes, benefit conservation requirements, notice obligations, and fund release procedures. Conducts desk audits, compliance reviews, and risk assessments.

Fiscal Compliance & Conservation Oversight
 Develops and oversees fiscal accountability systems, ensuring counties do not use federal survivor benefits to offset foster care maintenance or cost-of-care expenditures, consistent with statutory prohibition under CRS 19-7-105 and related sections. Develops fiscal tracking standards to ensure benefits are conserved in youth-specific accounts and properly released at required milestones. Reviews accounting structures, ledgers, and interest accrual practices. Ensures compliance with asset and resource limitations.

Tracks statewide accumulation and release of funds.

Collaborates with HCPF, Colorado ABLE, SSA, and IRS representatives to ensure statewide fiscal conservation practices and account structures do not negatively affect Medicaid eligibility, public assistance eligibility, tax compliance requirements, or federally protected resource limitations.

Technical Assistance, Training & Stakeholder Coordination
Provides ongoing technical assistance and training to county departments regarding screening processes, benefit applications, appeals, representative payee determinations, conservation requirements, and youth notification standards. This includes travel across the state to provide this technical assistance and training to county departments. Coordinates stakeholder engagement and facilitates implementation workgroups.

Responds to complex case inquiries and escalated issues. This position is charged with designing interagency coordination practices that will govern how these benefits are administered across Colorado’s child welfare system.

Other duties as assigned, including but not limited to: 
· Data Analysis, Reporting & Legislative Support
· Develops data tracking tools and prepares reports regarding eligibility determinations, applications submitted, appeals filed, benefit amounts conserved, and funds released to youth
· Provides subject matter expertise to CDHS executive leadership, JBC staff, and legislative stakeholders regarding implementation status, fiscal impacts, compliance findings, and recommended statutory refinements
Experience Only:

• Eight (8) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position

OR

Education and Experience:

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to eight (8) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• 
  

Conditions of Employment

• Full Background  CDHS employees (all Direct contact with vulnerable persons): CBI name check and fingerprint check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference Checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), Drug Screen, PREA (Division of Youth Services), Trails check (direct contact with children), CAPS (direct contact with adults – Mental Health Institutes, Regional Centers, Veterans Community Living Centers)
• Travel –  15% This position may be required to complete overnight travel and infrequent extended travel within the state of Colorado to oversee the unit’s monitoring functions and liaise with community partners; travel may occur any day of the week
• Other –  This position is designated as hybrid.  Employees must maintain a home office, internet, and possibly phone service. 

• 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.

• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border

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

• 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.

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 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 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.

How to Apply

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.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support