Tobacco Policy Work Lead - Term-Limited

This posting is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado. 

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.

• TERM LIMIT: This position is term-limited and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 6/30/2031. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first. 

• The referral list generated by this position announcement may be used to fill multiple position vacancies and may be extended.

• Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.

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: 

The Prevention Services Division (PSD) is actively building a workforce reflective of the diverse communities we serve. The Division strives to understand the needs of Colorado’s communities and encourages contributions of stakeholders in identifying and solving public health problems. We are committed to providing a respectful, supportive, and inclusive work environment that demonstrates our commitment to accepting and respecting individuals from all communities. The Division is also committed to the professional development, collaborative effort, and sustained wellness of its workforce.

The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Branch in the Prevention Services Division (PSD) reviews, plans, designs, implements, and evaluates public health interventions for chronic diseases and related risk factors to and improve health-related quality of life for all Coloradans. Particular emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices, data-driven and evidence-informed decision-making, capacity building, partnerships, and the integration of program efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The statewide chronic disease programs within the HPCDP Branch include Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Comprehensive Cancer Control, Colorectal Cancer Control, Diabetes Prevention and Management, Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, Healthy Eating and Active Living, the Cancer, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease Grants Program, and the Tobacco Education, Prevention and Cessation Grants Program.

We are aware that many chronic diseases share the same systemic causes: tobacco use, lack of access to nutritious foods, built environments that support physical activity, social connectedness, and poverty and economic instability. These systemic injustices, along with additional risk and protective factors, are shared across many of the outcomes we address. Colorado For ALL means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

• Operational Work Leadership: Serve as the operational Work Lead for designated team members within the respective pillar (Policy or Cessation). Assign daily workflow tasks, sequence project timelines, monitor task execution, conduct preliminary administrative verification of staff timecards/leave, and track performance milestones in Cornerstone to support annual evaluation cycles. Conduct first-line technical reviews of grantee Scopes of Work (SOWs) and budgets.
• Contract & Grant Monitoring: Hold primary, dedicated day-to-day contract and grant monitoring responsibility for large vendor agreements, local health agency contracts, or grantee portfolios. Draft technical Statements of Work (SOWs), key performance indicators (KPIs), and fiscal budget parameters; conduct continuous fiscal/performance monitoring; and enforce procurement rules in strict compliance with the CDPHE Contract Monitoring User Guide.
• Strategic Partnerships & Systems Integration: Lead, design, and maintain strategic internal and external partnerships (e.g., local public health agencies, health systems, public payers, community organizations) to systematically embed evidence-based policy or cessation models into standard public health and care delivery systems.
• Project & Program Oversight: Lead the strategic development and execution of work plans for Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Tobacco Control Program objectives, Proposition EE requirements, and state-funded mandates. Author technical grant components, build project management blueprints, interpret public health surveillance data, and draft comprehensive progress documentation for executive and legislative entities.
• Tobacco Control Content Expertise: Serve as the unit technical authority on evidence-based policy, environmental change strategies, or clinical cessation practices/digital health platforms. Translate evidence-based guidelines into statewide program parameters and author technical briefing packets and executive talking points.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Policy Pillar Work Lead & Program Administration

• Partnership and Strategic Collaborations

• Project and Grant Management

• Contract Monitoring

• Tobacco Control Content Expertise

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. 

Seven (7) years of relevant experience in state or local public health program implementation, including informing policy or systems changes, providing technical assistance to grantees/partners, grant/contract monitoring, project workflow coordination, and building multi-sector partnerships.

Or

A combination of related education with a degree in public health, public policy, healthcare administration, public administration, behavioral health, urban planning, or a closely related field, and/or relevant experience in state or local public health program implementation, including informing policy or systems changes, providing technical assistance to grantees/partners, grant/contract monitoring, project workflow coordination, and building multi-sector partnerships equal to seven (7) years.

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

1. Direct experience working within or closely alongside state-level commercial tobacco control programs (such as STEPP), including in-depth operational knowledge of Colorado's 2030 Commercial Tobacco Strategic Plan, Amendment 35, or Proposition EE funding frameworks.

2. Demonstrated experience in state-level contract and grant monitoring, specifically using CDPHE contracting guidelines, standard Contract Monitoring User Guides, reviewing grantee Scopes of Work (SOWs), and approving project budgets.

3. Experience performing work lead or project coordination responsibilities, such as assigning or leading project tasks, conducting preliminary reviews of peer/grantee work deliverables, checking timecards, or tracking performance goals in state platforms (e.g., Cornerstone).

4. Applied knowledge of commercial tobacco prevention/policy strategies (e.g., Local Public Health Agency (LPHA) Core frameworks, policy Training and Technical Assistance (TA), or clinical tobacco cessation models (e.g., Quitline operations, health system referral loops).

5. More than three years of experience managing complex public health project blueprints, federal/CDC or state grant work plans, and multi-year program reporting.

6. Demonstrated proficiency in building and maintaining active partnerships with internal CDPHE branches, Local Public Health Agencies (LPHAs), public health advocacy organizations, health systems, and technical assistance providers.

7. Practical experience applying Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) principles to adapt state-funded program strategies for populations experiencing commercial tobacco and other nicotine product-related health disparities.

8. Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including utilizing state surveillance data and grantee evaluation reports to make program or budget adjustments.

9. Experience analyzing proposed public health policies, preparing legislative briefing packets, or contributing to an executive summary document.

10. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical program data to state leadership and external grantees.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: 

• Residency Requirement Options:

  • This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
    

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

• Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246.

• This position is term-limited and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 6/30/2031. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first.

• TRAVEL: This position will travel 10% of the time to attend conferences and training as required by federal funding agency contract. Occasional out-of-state travel may be offered to attend national conferences or events.

Appeal Rights:
As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, 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.

A complete application packet must include:

• Completed State of Colorado application.

• 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.

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

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

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.