Senior Director of Disease Control, Surveillance and Epidemiology

This is a nonclassified, at-will position and is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Colorado residents and nonresidents may apply. The selected candidate must establish residency in Colorado.

ABOUT CDPHE:

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records, and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state. 

Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• This is a non-classified, at-will position and is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Colorado residents and nonresidents may apply. The selected candidate must establish residency in Colorado.

• Please note that this position is at-will, meaning employment is not guaranteed for a specific period and no contract is implied.

• Hybrid: Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at CDPHE’s office located at 4300 Cherry Creek S Dr, Denver, CO 80246, USA.

CDPHE Offers: 

CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include:

• Medical and dental plans.

• Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan. 

• Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans. 

• Employer-paid life insurance.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Potential flexible working arrangements

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Tuition assistance. 

• Employee wellness programs.

• Professional development opportunities.

• Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government. 

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

The Work Unit: 

This position will oversee 2 work units. The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Protection has nearly 230 FTE and a budget of approximately $291 million, and the Office of Sexually Transmitted Infections, HIV, and Viral Hepatitis (OSHV) has nearly 100 FTE and a budget of approximately $55 million.

These units are home to programs that have a broad-reaching impact on the population’s health. The Division of Disease Control and Public Health Protection tracks mandatory reporting of communicable diseases across the state; investigates existing and newly emerging infectious disease threats, including respiratory, zoonotic, foodborne and enteric illnesses; promotes vaccine access and provides vaccine-preventable disease data; implements disease prevention programs, including diseases covered by standard immunizations; participates in emergency preparedness and response activities, including for pandemic readiness; assists incoming refugees with health assessments and screening services; manages screening, treatment, and prevention services for tuberculosis, and conducts environmental epidemiology investigations and prevention efforts. 

The Office of STI/HIV and Viral Hepatitis OSHV works to prevent infections, provide testing and treatment resources, and support individuals living with sexually transmitted infections, HIV, and viral hepatitis. The Office manages programs to help patients pay for care; offers partner notification and support services; and monitors and publishes public health data, epidemiological reports, and quarterly surveillance updates on infection trends across Colorado.

What You Will Do: 

The position is an executive leader, scientist, and seasoned public health professional that oversees disease surveillance, disease control, and epidemiology functions for two large work units, in order to improve and protect the health of the public. 

This senior-level position provides vision, direction and oversight to ensure programs are strategic and operate efficiently. The position possesses core competencies in systems thinking, program evaluation, and population health frameworks. As a high-level scientist, the position displays skills in biostatistics, epidemiology, and research design, and can critically evaluate scientific studies, ensuring health advisories, policy recommendations, and programs within the work unit are grounded in sound evidence.

The position works closely with the department’s Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer to meet the goals of the agency. The position works in concert with the State Epidemiologist and the department’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response on outbreak and pandemic readiness. The position oversees the acquisition of talent to assure programmatic and operational excellence. The position is an experienced leader and manager, able to drive performance and swiftly handle performance issues. The position assures the work units follow department and state policies and meet federal funding requirements.

The position thinks strategically and uses good judgment, partnering with the department’s Senior Executive Team on areas such as communications and public affairs, legislative agenda, performance and innovation, health equity, and budgeting, assuring alignment with department priorities. The position is a risk manager, elevating issues that could impact programming or the department’s reputation. The position facilitates the division working closely with community partners and local governments, assuring positive relationships. The position also facilitates effective working relationships with federal agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Visionary and Strategic Leadership

• Oversight and Supervision

• Operational Excellence and Emergency Preparedness

• Public Relations

• Collaborating with Department Executives

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

NOTE: An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.

A Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology or a closely related field combined with:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience directing a large organization and supervising staff at an executive level in a public health setting.

• Demonstrated experience producing improved health outcomes on a population level. 

• Demonstrated political acumen working as an executive leader. 

• Demonstrated experience in understanding and interpreting public health data. 

• Demonstrated public health practice experience, using data and strategic planning to improve health outcomes.

• Demonstrated experience with fiscal management of budgets and grants.
  
  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following highly desirable experience and competencies:  

1. PhD or MD in public health, epidemiology or related degree.

2. Demonstrated expertise and experience in disease surveillance, epidemiology and disease control.
   
   

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT:  This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

• On-call Status: On call for urgent matters and emergencies.

• Critical Status: This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

• TRAVEL: Meetings and conferences across Colorado and to national conferences out of state, including overnight stays are possible.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• RESUME

• COVER LETTER: describing how your professional/supervisory experience aligns with the preferred qualifications of this position.

• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

The Selection Process:

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.

CDPHE does not provide visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 

E-Verify: 

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations:

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment 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 at [email protected] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.