OCACS Communications Director - Marketing & Communications Specialist IV

The Office of Children, Aging and Community Services (OCACS) works to ensure fulfillment of the Department’s mission and goals to promote safety, permanency and well-being for the children, youth and families served by the Division of Child Welfare (DCW), Adult, Aging Protective Services (AAPS), and the Domestic Violence Program (DVP). 

The communications work unit exists to manage the OCACS communications relative to internal programs and divisions as well as external activities, including the supervision of 64 counties’ human/social services for compliance with the Federal and State statutes and regulations, as well as educational purposes for the prevention of child abuse or neglect.

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements

Minimum 2 days In Office and Maximum 3 days Remote Work

This position exists to manage OCACS communications and special projects relative to internal programs and divisions. The position plans and designs communication strategies and goals that support and align with Department, Office, and Division goals. This includes developing marketing communications, advertising, education, and promotional materials and courses that communicate programmatic initiatives, OCACS, and Department information that needs to be communicated to internal and external stakeholders. Helps the Department’s central Communications Office with Department-wide initiatives and special projects upon request.

Responsible for drafting and editing written work products from the OCACS to include: budget requests, department-wide communications (both written and verbal), and OCACS and other Department-wide policies. Supervises and ensures all recruitment, outreach, and retention efforts are coordinated and aligned to raise awareness of child abuse and neglect and the need for foster and adoptive families. 

The position is responsible for developing communication strategies and goals that support program, Division and Agency goals and ensure that the communication unit’s goals are met annually.  

Communications - 

• Responsible for developing and implementing OCACS Communications strategies and initiatives, including website and social media initiatives.

• Responsible for the leading, designing, and implementing state’s official public awareness campaign to report child abuse and neglect, including messages about preventing child abuse and neglect, knowing the signs of abuse and neglect, and becoming a foster and adoptive parent.  

• Develops annual OCACS communication plan outlining communication strategies and goals.

• Designs, writes, and distributes OCACS newsletters and communications.

• Drafts and edits talking points, presentations and documents for the Office Director and Deputy Director. 

• Updates OCACS and Division internet and intranet sites ensuring sites are up-to-date and clear, with relevant information.

• Advises and guides OCACS programs on strategies to communicate with target audiences. 

• In partnership with OCACS programs, develops clear communication regarding OCACS processes and procedures.

• Provides assistance with other OCACS and Department-wide communication or information gathering initiatives, information gathering or dissemination. 

• Provides expertise to the OCACS Office Director, Deputy Director, and Division Directors regarding communications, internal to the Department, and external to the Department, including communications with the Governor’s Office and the legislature.

• Develops materials related to the strategic priorities of the Office for broad dissemination to government and community partners.

• May need to travel occasionally, sometimes overnight, to meet with OCACS Program staff located outside of the Denver Metro area. 

Communication Partnerships - 

• Develops relationships with core media partners to coordinate background and live interviews in response to emerging issues.

• Coordinates with DCW program staff to respond to media requests and shape talking points in response to inquiries.

• Collaborates with the Attorneys General and CDHS Legal to clear messaging and responses to media inquiries to ensure public information provided is aligned with legal guidelines. 

• Acts as liaison to CDHS Communications. 

• Attends CDHS Communications meetings. 

• Composes and coordinates requests for information for talking points for the Senior Executive Team, budget requests and CORA requests. 

• Draft press releases for OCACS, in coordination with CDHS Communications.

Work Lead  -

• Is a work lead to the Recruitment and Retention Communications Specialist and the Public Awareness Campaign Coordinator. 

• Supports efforts to meet operational goals. Has authority to determine priorities and direction of program efforts.

• Creates a culture that fosters success by providing performance management through feedback and coaching.

• Addresses performance issues in a timely, responsible manner and effectively recognizes high performers. 

• Articulates changes in organizational and business priorities to staff in ways that encourage action and support. 

• Conducts interim and annual performance evaluations with assigned staff and is responsible to ensure workplace equity and leadership development for staff occurs, and maintains staff records.

• Supports the development of employees that results in improved performance.

• Creates and maintains a work environment that builds talent to ensure the continuity of leadership for the organization.

• Gathers information from OCACS programs and divisions and ensures requests are responded to in a timely manner. 

• Works with OCACS programs to plan and design communications by determining scope of project, developing strategy to reach audience, developing graphic, audio or visual images that further the communication strategy and are consistent with the intended message, and ensuring content is appropriate, clear and technically correct. 

• Advises and guides OCACS programs on design and layout of program communications, to be aligned with the overall OCACS communication plan/strategy.

• Designs layout of art and copy regarding arrangement, size, type size and style, graphics, and related aesthetic concepts. 

• Completes projects by coordinating with OCACS programs and outside vendors or departments.

• Maintains technical knowledge by attending design workshops, reviewing professional publications and participating in professional societies.

• May need to travel occasionally, sometimes overnight, to work with OCACS programs outside of the Denver Metro area. 

• Performs other duties as assigned.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Seven (7) years of relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects. Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements. Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all. 

OR

Education and Experience:

A combination of related education in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, Political Science, Public Policy and/or relevant experience in developing organizational communications strategies across a variety of platforms, while managing multiple projects. Demonstrated hands-on experience managing marketing campaigns, with knowledge of budgeting, campaign tracking and Media/public relations experience including proactive pitching, drafting of media advisories, press releases and media responses; as well as media training leaders in preparation of media engagements. Experience writing and producing content for a variety of audiences in a manner that is culturally relevant and accessible to all equal to seven (7) years

Preferred Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, public policy or a related field.

• Communications or public affairs experience in government, the public sector, on the non-profit sector.

• Experience with Colorado General Assembly budget processes or communicating complex policy, legislative, or systemic issues to public officials, community partners, media or other external audiences.

• Experience managing communications involving sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.

• Specialized expertise in marketing, media and public relations, website design, content creation and communications with communities of interest

• COWINS Partnership Agreement: Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification and given weight under the process. Part-time relevant years of State service will be prorated. 

• TRANSFERS ONLY: Relevant years of State service will be considered as a preferred qualification and given the weight of at least 15% of the overall score under the process.

• Relevant years of State service contribute to a candidate's position-related knowledge, skill, ability, behavior, or other posted competency 

• Special Qualifications: Experience with Communications strategy development and implementation, development of high-quality written work product in multiple media formats, Graphic Design, policy analysis and editing. Preferred—Masters of Public Administration or other public service degrees, certification in graphic design 
  software.
• Standard Background Check:  ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license) 
  
• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position

• Travel: Travels throughout the state, with occasional overnight travel, to meet with OAS programs located outside of the Denver Metro area.

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

1. Disclose that information on the application.

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

3. 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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.     

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.

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

• The Assessment Process

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.

• 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.

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].

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.

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.