CDPHE ONLY - Communications Director - HP V - Disease Control & Public Health Response Division
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CDPHE ONLY - Communications Director - HP V - Disease Control & Public Health Response Division
Salary
$91,320.00 - $146,124.00 Annually
Location
Denver, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
RFAA00997-04/24/26
Department
Department of Public Health & Environment
Division
Division of Disease Control and Public Health Response
Opening Date
04/24/2026
Closing Date
4/28/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address
4300 E Cherry Creek S Dr, Glendale, CO 80246
FLSA Status
Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information
Rosalie Esparza rosalie.esparza@state.co.us
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to classified permanent employees of the listed department and division within that department.
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
NOTICE OF PROPOSED REALLOCATION
Position Number: 00997 Encumbered By: Hope Schuler
This position is located in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Disease Control & Public Health Response Division and has been recommended for reallocation to Health Professional V
This announcement represents the selection process for an occupied, reclassified state position. This position is open only to classified permanent employees of the Division Disease Control & Public Health Response Division within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Applications will not be considered from any individuals not specifically covered by these strict eligibility requirements.
This position will have hybrid workplace options available but will still be required to report to the listed address at the discretion of the supervisor and based on business needs.
Description of Job
The Work Unit
The Disease Control and Public Health Response Division (DCPHR) ensures that the Department and the State of Colorado can effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and respond to conditions that impact public health. As one of the department's most visible and high-impact divisions, DCPHR frequently operates in complex, rapidly evolving, and high-profile environments that require timely, accurate, and strategically aligned communications.
The DCPHR Communications Unit provides comprehensive internal and external communications support to the division, including media relations, public information during outbreaks and emergencies, prevention and awareness campaigns, and strategic communications planning. The unit plays a critical role in educating, informing, and engaging the public, media, elected officials, and partner agencies during disease outbreaks and other significant public health events. Given the visibility and potential sensitivity of the division's work, communications activities must be proactive, risk-aware, and aligned with department communications protocols and executive priorities.
The Unit operates within CDPHE's enterprise communications governance structure and in coordination with the Office of Communications to ensure consistency, executive awareness, and appropriate escalation of high-risk or high-profile issues. Work unit staff bring expertise in public health communications, content development, traditional and digital media, web strategy, writing and editing, graphic design, and emerging communications technologies, and apply these skills within a structured framework that prioritizes public trust, accuracy, and alignment.
About Position:
This position serves as the Communications Director for the Disease Control and Public Health Response Division (DCPHR), one of CDPHE's most visible and high-impact divisions. The Communications Director plays a critical leadership role at the intersection of public health science, policy, media, and decision-making, helping shape how complex and rapidly evolving public health issues are understood by the public, policymakers, and partners. While embedded in DCPHR and reporting to the Division Director, this position operates within CDPHE's enterprise communications governance structure and works through and in close coordination with the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications, who serves as the department's executive authority on communications and external affairs.
The Communications Director is responsible for leading division-wide communications strategy while ensuring alignment with department communications protocols, executive priorities, and Governor's Office coordination requirements. This role carries shared accountability for protecting and advancing the department's credibility and public trust. The Communications Director proactively identifies, assesses, and escalates communications risks, political sensitivities, and reputational concerns in accordance with department escalation protocols, ensuring timely executive awareness and coordinated engagement across department leadership and the Governor's Office.
The position integrates communications considerations into division decision-making and supports informed executive action through strategic, accurate, and @contextually appropriate messaging. This reflects the role's department-wide accountability for alignment, risk management, and executive coordination. The position participates in department-wide communications coordination efforts led by the Office of Communications to ensure consistent application of protocols and shared situational awareness across divisions.
What you will be doing:
Provides leadership and direct supervision to assigned communications staff, establishing clear expectations for quality, timeliness, professionalism, and adherence to CDPHE department-wide communications protocols, approval processes, and escalation requirements. Plans, prioritizes, and assigns workload; monitors workflow and progress; and ensures communications deliverables meet established standards, deadlines, and division and department objectives.
Integrates department-wide communications priorities and enterprise governance expectations into staff work planning, goal-setting, and performance management. Ensures staff understand their roles within CDPHE's communications governance structure and consistently elevate high-risk, high-profile, or sensitive issues through established channels.
Establishes work schedules; reviews and approves time and absences using the automated system; and ensures appropriate coverage during high-visibility or emergency situations.
Identifies training and professional development needs and provides coaching and skill development opportunities to strengthen communications capacity, risk awareness, and strategic thinking.
Provides ongoing feedback and coaching; drafts, reviews, and signs performance plans; evaluates and signs performance evaluations; and addresses performance concerns in a timely and constructive manner.
Resolves employee performance issues, disputes, and informal grievances; issues corrective actions; and initiates discipline as necessary in accordance with Department and State policies.
Writes and reviews position descriptions; recommends promotions, demotions, and compensation adjustments; signs personnel action forms; and initiates, participates and makes decisions in recruitment and hiring, including consultation with the second-level appointing authority.
Maintains up-to-date knowledge of Department and State policies and procedures and ensures staff operate in compliance with applicable requirements while advancing a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement
Provides Strategic leadership for all division-wide communications activities within the Disease Control and Public Health Response Division. Oversees division communications strategy, ensuring high-quality, accurate, timely, and risk-aware communications products that advance public health objectives and protect the department's credibility and public trust.
Leads division-wide integration, adoption, and adherence to CDPHE department communications protocols, standards, and escalation requirements, operating within the department's enterprise communications governance structure. Ensures communications strategies align with executive priorities and Governor's Office coordination requirements, in coordination with and through the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications.
Proactively identifies, assesses, and mitigates communications risks associated with emerging public health issues, policy decisions, outbreaks, and incidents.
Elevates high-risk, high-profile, or politically sensitive matters to the DCPHR Division Director and Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications to ensure executive awareness and coordinated engagement across department leadership and the Governor's Office, as appropriate.
Facilitates structured response and approval processes for media requests, public education campaigns, and high-visibility communications initiatives, ensuring appropriate review, alignment, and documentation in accordance with department protocols. Applies sound professional judgment in internal and external communications decision-making while adhering to established escalation pathways.
Establishes and refines systems, procedures, and workflows to support efficient, coordinated, and scalable communications operations across DCPHR programs. Leads the development and implementation of improved processes and tools to strengthen division communications capacity, consistency, and risk management.
Works collaboratively with internal division leadership, other CDPHE divisions, and external partners - including local public health agencies, governmental entities, associations, and impacted stakeholders - to ensure communications activities are accurate, aligned with department standards, and responsive to community needs. During incident response and emergency situations, works cross-divisionally to clarify roles and responsibilities, establish coordinated communications plans, and monitor implementation to ensure alignment with division and department goals.
Recommends strategic refinements to programmatic communications initiatives to mitigate risk, strengthen effectiveness, and enhance public engagement outcomes.
Serves as DCPHR's primary communications liaison and leads media relations and external communications for the division in coordination with the CDPHE Office of Communications. Works closely with division leadership and program staff within DCPHR and across divisions to develop aligned, strategic communications plans and responses related to disease control and public health response issues.
Ensures that all media engagement and external messaging adhere to CDPHE department communications protocols, executive priorities, and established escalation pathways. Given the visibility and sensitivity of DCPHR's work, ensures that the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications is aware of high-risk, high-profile, or politically sensitive media inquiries and proposed responses prior to public release, and participates in escalation and executive notification processes as appropriate.
Drafts and edits news releases, media statements, fact sheets, talking points, web content, and other public communications materials that translate complex and rapidly evolving public health information into clear, accurate, and accessible messaging. Develops talking points and prepares DCPHR leadership and executive spokespersons for media interviews, legislative engagement, and public appearances, ensuring alignment with department messaging and strategic objectives.
Responds to controversial media inquiries and crisis situations with sound professional judgment, structured coordination, and risk awareness. Plays a central role in department-wide incident and emergency communications, collaborating across divisions to ensure coordinated, timely, and accurate information dissemination.
Maintains strategic relationships with local, state, regional, Tribal, and national traditional and non-traditional media organizations and advises division and department staff on media landscape trends, reputational considerations, and potential coverage implications. Represents DCPHR in internal and external communications coordination meetings and collaborates with communications and marketing staff across partner organizations to support cross-promotion, alignment, and consistency of messaging.
Coordinates with the Senior Director of External Affairs and Communications to support Governor's Office communications needs related to DCPHR programs and campaigns, ensuring appropriate executive awareness and alignment in all externally facing effort.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Residency Requirement:
This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.
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
Class Code & Classification Description:
H4K5XXMARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST (https://dhr.colorado.gov/class-description-and-minimum-qualifications-for-h4k-marketing-communications-specialist) V
Experience Only:
Eight (8) years of progressive experience in marketing or public health communications in government, public affairs or closely related to the work assigned to the position.
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education in marketing communications, public affairs, journalism, or business and/or p rogressive work experience marketing or public health communications in government, public affairs or other experience or closely related field equal to eight (8) years.
This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section of your application. "See Resume" will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.
NOTE: Click on the link here toHOW TO APPLY (https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply) and submit a complete application. That documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications for this position when listing your work history.
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YOU MUST ATTACH A COPY OF TRANSCRIPTS TO YOUR APPLICATION IF YOU ARE USING EDUCATION TO MEET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS*
Conditions of Employment:
A pre-employment background check
Be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.
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.
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.
Appeal Rights:
An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.
As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.
Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department's action.
For further information on the Board Rules, you can 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/board-rules .
Supplemental Information
A complete application packet must include:
A complete application that documents your work history giving details of your qualifications, including how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications when listing your work history.
A copy of your transcripts if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications. (unofficial copy acceptable)
If you are a veteran, attach a copy of your DD214 to your applications.
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.
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 (http://www.dhs.gov/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 benefits, atcdphe_benefits@state.co.usor call 303-692-2060
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.
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This position requires educational transcripts be submitted if you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, did you attach a copy of your unofficial (or official) transcript?
Yes
No
Required Question
Employer
State of Colorado
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