Senior Policy Advisor (Remote from anywhere in CO)

Together, we innovate for a stronger Colorado

The work of employees at the Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT) is challenging and diverse because the needs of agencies, customers and Coloradans constantly evolve. But our focus never changes: improve the lives of all Coloradans through innovation and collaboration. We're building one of the nation's leading government IT organizations by reimagining how we support agencies, building first-of-their-kind applications, and creating an inclusive, collaborative culture, together. Join us in the important work of providing equitable access to services.

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IMPORTANT NOTE: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, OIT’s hiring team considers only the contents of the Work Experience section of your application to review for minimum qualifications. Though we do ask that a resume and cover letter are included in your application, please refrain from entering "See Resume" in the Work History section as valuable experience may be missed during the application review process.

As our new Senior Policy Administrator, you will serve as OIT’s subject matter expert on Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) requests. You coordinate all CORA requests for OIT through every step of the process, which includes legal analysis, document retrieval, and timely response to official requests. When applicable, you will coordinate with OIT Executives, teams, and leaders, the Governor's Office, and the Attorney General’s Office. Your work will ensure OIT is in full compliance with CORA and all other laws and regulations. 

In addition, you will collaborate with the team in preparing to engage legislators regarding OIT legislation and budget proposals. You will be responsible for improving the communication of complex IT programs administered by OIT, and all related policies and changes between OIT, legislators, and other key stakeholders. These responsibilities include but are not limited to: creating legislative and budget proposals; IT project proposals; and designing, developing and distributing executive level communication materials such as legislative committee presentations, budget request fact sheets, and other formal communications. 

Some of the day to day opportunities include the following:

Acting as the internal resource for CORA compliance, formulating approaches and plans to address identified issues, and briefing management on concerns and issues by providing information required for decision-making.

Communicating with representatives of various community/business groups, the public, and/or other stakeholders regarding open records requests.

Developing strategies to ensure compliance to regulations and requirements for the statutory requirements of the Colorado Open Records Act, monitoring and assessing compliance, and making recommendations for improvements.

Assist OIT Executive Staff, Government Affairs team, Legislative Liaison and staff in legislation and policy efforts such as preparing to engage legislators, OIT-related legislation and budget proposals, and assisting with coordination, creation and submission of required legislative reports.

A wide salary range is posted for this position and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority as compared to others doing substantially similar work. While all offers are compliant with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, there is no guarantee an offer will be at the top of the posted range based on the salary analysis. 

This is a skills-based job announcement. The required minimum qualifications and/or education (if substituting for the proven experience, knowledge, and skills), are as follows: 

Minimum Qualifications:

A minimum of three (3) years of demonstrated full time professional experience performing legal research and analysis; working in a legislative or public policy environment; or work closely related to the job duties. 

Prior professional experience processing, researching, and responding to Colorado Open Records Act (CORA), Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), or comparable requests for information.

Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications. 

Training or Certification related to the work assigned to the position will be assigned credit towards substitution for experience and/or education, but cannot completely substitute for these qualifications. 

If the minimum qualifications include a degree requirement, additional appropriate paid or unpaid experience will substitute for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) or Masters of Public Policy (MPP) degree strongly preferred but not required.

Master’s or doctorate degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, Law, Public Health, Environmental Health, or closely related degree. 

Ability to research, analyze and assess bills and recommend potential actions. 

Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication, and public speaking skills. 

Ability to translate and communicate complex topics in a variety of forums, tailoring communications to effectively fit and influence the target audience. 

Excellent critical thinking skills and judgment. 

Holds values that support the organization’s values and equity, diversity and inclusion.  

Ability to solve complex problems and execute decisions with short deadlines.

Conditions of Employment:

OIT employees must comply with any screening procedures in place at state agency locations where they might perform work. 

A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. Post-employment background checks will be required for specific agencies as business needs dictate, which may include a polygraph exam, fingerprint-based criminal history search, reference checks, and a drug test.

This position may require travel within the specified geographic area, and to locations across the state as needed. 

If this posting indicates “remote from anywhere in CO” in the title, periodic reporting to the primary state work location designated for the position is required. All remote work must be performed in Colorado. 

While candidates from out of state will be considered for this role, the candidate selected for the position must relocate and reside in Colorado on the first day of their new position.  A reasonable timeframe for relocation will be established on an individual basis, while considering business needs, and determining a start date.

We know it's important to support each other, and that means having a healthy balance of work and personal time. Visit our benefits to learn more about some of our great offerings that allow us all to have fulfilling lives. 

Visit our How to Apply webpage to learn more about our application process and what to expect after you apply.

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.

The Governor's Office of Information Technology 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 ADA Coordinator at [email protected] or call (303) 764-7900.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies based upon business need. 

The Governor's Office of Information Technology does NOT offer sponsored Visas for employment purposes.