Early Childhood Initiative Specialist - Term Limited
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Early Childhood Initiative Specialist - Term Limited
Salary
$58,872.00 - $76,536.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
IHA 07259 08/04/2025
Department
Colorado Department of Human Services
Division
OES (Office of Economic Security)
Opening Date
08/18/2025
Closing Date
9/1/2025 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
1575 Sherman St, Denver, CO 80203, USA
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
victoria.crocket@state.co.us
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
THIS POSITION IS OPEN TO CURRENT COLORADO RESIDENTS
Opt in below to receive text message updates on CDHS recruiting events!
This position is Term-Limited until June 30, 2027.
CDHSCareers
Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!
About this Unit:
The Division of Employment Workforce Support (DEWS) is responsible for ongoing implementation of an array of Adult Financial Assistance Programs (Old Age Pension, State Burial Assistance, Aid to the Needy Disabled, Home Care Allowance, and Colorado Supplement), the Colorado Works Program, Employment First and other workforce development services. Adult Financial Assistance programs provide a safety net for elderly and disabled indigent adults. Colorado Works is the State's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program; it is designed to assist participants to terminate their dependence on government benefits by promoting job preparation, work and marriage and to develop strategies and policies that focus on ensuring that participants are in work activities as soon as possible. The Colorado Works program, in its design, also promotes investment into capacity building and prevention work to strengthen families, provides for positive youth development and healthy relationships. The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as food stamps) provides federal resources to states for the implementation of employment and training programs that help SNAP recipients gain or improve in employment, in order to reduce dependency on SNAP, known as the SNAP DEWS program.
The programs operate in all counties in Colorado and are administered locally by the county departments of human/social services and/or community based organizations. The Division supervises county departments of human/social services in the administration of these programs and is responsible for assuring that all counties comply with the terms of their county policies and all federal and State statutes and regulations. Division staff write state-level policies and rules; train county staff on policies, procedures, and effective case management skills; provide technical assistance to counties on automated systems issues; work with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives affecting programs operation; report to the federal government federal programs; monitor county performance; and allocate funds to the counties for their use in implementing the program. The Division is the primary link between the county departments of human/social services and the federal government on issues regarding welfare reform and disabled individuals receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Division also works closely with other Divisions and Offices within the Department, other State agencies, the General Assembly, the Governor's Office and client advocacy organizations in the implementation of welfare reform.
Description of Job
Hybrid Position with a minimum of 2 required in-office days @ 1575 Sherman St.
General working hours will range from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Our division's in-office days are Monday and Tuesday, but can vary based on division or office needs. *
This position is Term-Limited until June 30, 2027.
Under the general supervision of the DEWS Partner Supervisor, this position is responsible for:
· Participate in ongoing strategy meetings to develop policies to benefit and enhance the early childhood workforce.
· Participate in the CDEC ECE Compensation Innovation Project State Core Team and network with other agencies within the State of Colorado to learn and share resources that may benefit the early childhood workforce.
· Establish if any research projects enhance the CDEC's goal of expanding the early childhood workforce throughout the state.
· Support cost modeling initiatives to understand potential utilization of supportive CDHS and other state agency benefits and programs.
· Attend in-person convenings approximately once per fiscal year.
· Develop and maintain working knowledge of CDHS funding streams and policies to be shared with CDEC and workgroups, and provide expert interpretation on how funding programs can support the early childhood workforce
· Provide quarterly reports to CDEC that include updated workforce connections and support.
· Contribute workforce resources to the toolkit to support the Early Childhood industry across Colorado.
· Contribute to internal and external Division of Economic and Workforce Support program workgroups (TANF, Employment First, etc.) to support the development of policy and financial processes.
Primary Job Duties:
Investigates Compliance of Agencies & Facilities and Provides Technical Assistance
Completes Reports of Inspection for Investigations
Stakeholder Involvement
Other Duties as Assigned
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS' hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. 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. . Volunteer work or a related @type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications, but it must be clearly documented. It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies, and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement. This experience must be clearly documented on your application, and the supplemental questions must be answered. Answers such as "N/A," "In Cover Letter," or "See Resume" will not be accepted.
Experience Only:
Six (6) years of relevant experience in public administration, workforce development, early childhood operations, career pathways, policy development and interpretation, communications (such as communicating and convening with a variety of stakeholders).
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in public administration, communications, workforce development, early childhood, career pathways, policy development and interpretation, and networking with a variety of stakeholders equal to six years.
Preferred Qualification:
Effective written and verbal communication
Ability to analyze complex problems and communicate problems to a variety of stakeholders
Interpreting and analyzing data
Strategic Planning and organizing partnerships
Policy development and interpretation
Creating communication and marketing materials
Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification to be used to determine the top candidates on the referral list. (Partnership agreement 10.1.)
Conditions of Employment:
Occasional travel throughout the State and National Conferences/Meetings. As needed for offsite events.
Standard background check and reference check required
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant's 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.
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail 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. For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Supplemental Information
How to Apply (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#how-to-apply)
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact victoria.crocket@state.co.us
About Us:
If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (https://www.colorado.gov/cdhs) (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. 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 www.copera.org 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
BenefitHub state employee discount program
Employee Wellness program (https://coloradostateofhealth.com/)
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. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs .
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans .
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.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS 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 ADAA Coordinator, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~ (https://cdhs.colorado.gov/information-for-job-applicants#eoe)
Toll Free Applicant Technical Support
The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits
Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
01
Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not, please update your information before submitting your application.
Yes
No
02
If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997...). Failure to provide this requested information may render your application incomplete, and you may no longer be considered for the position.
03
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.
04
The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.
This information is available to me and I have read this information.
I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please reach out to the recruiter listed on this job posting so this information can be sent directly to you).
05
Can you provide an example of a time you had to build and maintain rapport with an external agency?
06
Please provide an example when you needed to complete a project, with a variety of stakeholders, with their own unique goals and outcomes for the project. What steps did you take? What tools did you use? What was the outcome?
07
Provide an example where you had to establish resources for a variety of stakeholders internally and externally. What methods would you utilize to ensure that all stakeholders receive the information?
Required Question
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State of Colorado
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