Policy & Program Coordinator (Technician IV) - Denver

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

About CDOT 

CDOT employees make a difference by providing freedom, connection, and experience to the traveling public, while also keeping them safe. The State of Colorado offers competitive medical, dental and vision insurance, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending and health savings accounts. Visit the State of Colorado benefits for details, current premium rates and a summary video about benefits. The state also offers PERA retirement, great optional PERA plans such as 401K, a generous paid time off package of annual, sick, holiday and other leave, strong career growth, tuition reimbursement and professional development. Perks include Colorado Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) counseling, wellness, credit union membership and employee discount program. Visit CDOT Benefits for details. Some positions may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

CDOT for All

CDOT’s strength is our people, and our commitment to our people is to shape, support, and sustain the employee experience, and ultimately, create a supportive workplace where everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education, disability, socio-economic status, or any other identity, has the opportunity to thrive.

The eligible list created from this announcement may be used to fill current and future vacancies for a period of up to 6 months.

About the Position

As an operational support role to executive leadership, the Policy and Program Coordinator provides dependable administrative, operational, and analytical support to CDOT’s Deputy Director of Strategy & Planning, Legislative Liaison, and the Office of Policy & Government Relations. Serving as a point of contact and liaison, this role coordinates calendar logistics, daily office administration, written communications support, legislative tracking, and policy research assistance. The ideal candidate brings strong organizational skills, excellent customer service, discretionary judgment with confidential matters, and a desire to learn state transportation policy in a fast-paced executive environment.

 

Your duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide reliable administrative and scheduling support across executive operations.

• Calendar & Schedule Coordination: Manage the Deputy Director’s daily schedule and serve as backup support for the Executive Director’s calendar. Coordinate meeting requests, track competing scheduling priorities, and arrange meetings with agency leadership, Commissioners, and external partners.

• Meeting Prep & Briefing Support: Help assemble meeting background materials, agendas, slide decks, talking points, and memos prior to executive engagements.

• Operational & Logistical Support: Handle core administrative tasks including correspondence, invoice processing, mail handling, room reservations, video conferencing setup, travel, and backup logistics for Transportation Commission meetings.

• Follow-Up & Confidentiality: Track meeting action items, maintain confidentiality on sensitive office matters, and adapt quickly to shifting daily priorities.

• Customer & Stakeholder Service: Serve as a professional, welcoming point of contact for inquiries from legislative staff, CDOT colleagues, and state partners, routing issues to appropriate subject matter experts and ensuring queries are closed out.

• Drafting & Copyediting: Assist in preparing, reviewing, and proofreading briefing summaries, fact sheets, press communications, talking points, and reports for executive review.

• Information Monitoring: Track news sources and agency updates to stay informed on key transportation topics and support accurate document preparation.

• Legislative Tracking & Attendance: Monitor and track proposed state legislation, attend legislative hearings and committee sessions, and draft basic summaries and fact sheets.

• Constituent Inquiry Routing: Help log, research, and coordinate responses to public and legislative questions received through legislative offices.

• Research & Data Gathering: Gather information, summarize policy documents, and assist with basic organizational data collection under supervisor guidance to inform executive decision-making.

• Project Support & Tracking: Help organize project details, track timelines, maintain decision logs, and monitor progress on office deliverables.

• Status Reporting: Help flag potential schedule delays or issues to leadership to ensure projects stay on schedule and aligned with agency objectives.

• Other duties as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Your schedule will primarily be 8:00 am - 5:00 pm work hours, Monday - Friday, but we are flexible to meet your work/life balance needs while ensuring CDOT business needs are met.

• You will likely work a hybrid schedule with a combination of in-office and remote work. Will typically be in the office at least 3 days per week. 

• Travel required during work hours throughout Metro Denver/Front Range.

• Occasional overnight travel to other parts of Colorado. 

• Politically sensitive environment requiring confidentiality.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H4M4XX Technician IV

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only:

• At least 4 years of experience in any combination of the following:

  • Working within government and/or political environments.

  • Assisting with or conducting policy analysis.

  • Researching topics that impact an organization’s operations.

  • Drafting policy or other types of communications for an organization.

  • Providing high-level technical support to managers or executives.

 

OR 

Education and Experience:

• A combination of relevant education and experience equal to at least 4 years.

  • Education from an accredited college or university with coursework in Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Communications, Journalism, Media Studies, or another field of study related to the duties of this position will be considered.

  • Experience in any of the following will be considered:

• Working within government and/or political environments.

• Assisting with or conducting policy analysis.

• Researching topics that impact an organization’s operations.

• Drafting policy or other types of communications for an organization 

• Providing high-level technical support to managers or executives.

Please Note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. “See Resume” statements on the application or resumes in lieu of a complete application may not be accepted. Additional information submitted after the closing date of this announcement will not be considered in the review of your application. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or an official foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school, completed credit hours, and (if applicable) that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have been assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. The credential evaluation report must be an official report. Failure to provide a transcript or official foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

Condition of Employment

• Must pass a pre-employment screening which may include social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records check, educational records, and driving records checks. More information is included in the supplemental information section.

Preferred Qualifications

The exceptional applicant will have experience in a fast paced/dynamic environment and will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following:

• Demonstrated success with the duties listed in the Description of the Job section;

• Years of State service experience related to the duties of this position;

• Highest work/personal ethics and integrity;

• Ability to handle confidential information;

• Experience working in a government setting;

• Experience managing a senior executive's calendar with competing priorities;

• Familiarity with theories, principles, and best practices of public administration, government relations, and communications;

• Understanding of research and analysis methodologies;

• Strong attention to technical detail and accuracy;

• Excellent organization and time management skills;

• Ability to set, track, and accomplish priorities, goals, and timetables to achieve maximum productivity, knowing the status of activities at all times;

• Ability to work under tight deadlines and be adaptable to changing assignments;

• Ability to take initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner;

• Ability to work with a wide variety of stakeholders in situations which may be politically sensitive;

• Demonstrated ability to present information accurately, effectively, and concisely, both verbally and in writing;

• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability;

• Exceptional customer service skills;

• Ability to work effectively in both independent and team situations;

• Fluency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access) and Google Apps (Gmail, Docs, Sheets, Forms, etc.) and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.

Applicant Checklist

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

1. A complete CDOT Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)

2. A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)

3. A cover letter that describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement. 

4. A detailed chronological resume. Resumes must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. 

5. If you are using education to qualify, a copy of your official or unofficial transcript showing completed coursework and credit hours, that your degree has been conferred (if applicable), your name, and the name of your school, or your official NACES credential evaluation report. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

6. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

7. A completed memo that addresses the following assignment. Your audience is a busy, non-technical reader. Imagine CDOT leadership has asked you to draft a memo for a state legislator on a transportation issue of your choice. In one page or less, explain the issue, why it matters to Coloradans, and the agency’s position on the issue. 

Please note that you may redact information on your attachments that identifies your age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Every effort must be made to submit all application materials by the announcement close date. Where unusual circumstances prevent timely acquisition of transcripts, they must be submitted within five business days of the announcement close date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.

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.

Notifications:

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be via email. Include your current working email address on your application and check your email frequently as you could receive time sensitive correspondence regarding this position. We highly recommend that you set up your email to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email. Immediately after you submit your application you should receive an email that confirms that you successfully submitted an application for this position. If you do not, try submitting again until you receive the confirmation email. Be sure to also check your junk folder for email communications from the State of Colorado's website.

The Hiring Process:

1. All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step. 

2. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

• Part, or all, of the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications.

• Be sure your application materials specifically address your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the Major Duties, Minimum Qualifications, and Preferred Qualifications sections as listed above. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions by the deadline for application may result in your application not being accepted for this position and may affect your inclusion as a qualified candidate in any step of the selection process and placement on the eligible list. 

3. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager.

Transfer, Non-Disciplinary Demotion or Reinstatement 

If you believe that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement to this vacancy, you must submit a completed application following the directions in this job announcement and you will be included in the selection process along with other qualified applicants. If you are the finalist for this position after the selection process, Human Resources will confirm your eligibility to be appointed as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement applicant. 

Employment Screening

If an applicant reaches the finalist stage of the hiring process, the Colorado Department of Transportation may procure a consumer report and/or investigative consumer report on the applicant in connection with his/her application for employment purposes, as defined under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. These reports may be obtained at any time after receipt of the applicant's authorization. As part of the employment screening an applicant will be requested to disclose any deferred judgments and convictions as well as an explanation of the circumstances around any arrest or conviction. In the event that a screening returns information that the applicant believes is not accurate, he or she will have an opportunity to dispute the information with “Accurate.”

Accurate, a consumer reporting agency, will obtain the report for CDOT. Further information regarding Accurate including its privacy policy, may be found online at www.accurate.com. Accurate is located at 200 Spectrum Center Drive Suite 1100, Irvine, CA  92618. 

The report may contain information bearing on the applicant's character, general reputation, personal characteristics, and mode of living.  The information that may be included in the report includes social security number trace, criminal records check, public court records checks, educational records, and driving records checks. CDOT will only request credit reports insofar as they relate to the position for which the applicant is applying. The information contained in the report will be obtained from private and/or public record sources. The applicant will have the right, upon written request made within a reasonable time after receipt of a notice, to request disclosure of the nature and scope of any investigative consumer report.

Appeal Rights

If you receive notice that you have been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: [email protected]. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov. 

ADAAA Accommodations

CDOT is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or 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 HR Specialist Name at Email Address or call Phone Number.

Former State Employees

Former employees of the Colorado Department of Transportation System or any other State of Colorado Department or Agency, who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination, must disclose this information on his/her application.

ERIN (SAP #50030498/PCR #68233)