Dnr - Colorado River Communications Specialist

Department Information

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

Are you interested in investing in a career that makes a difference?

Consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. It’s our mission to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people today – and tomorrow. That means we have to balance development with conservation so the state we all love provides similar opportunities for our children and their children.

We invite you to explore our website at https://dnr.colorado.gov to find out more about the work we do to manage Colorado’s natural resources for today – and tomorrow.

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.

In Addition To Offering Rewarding, Meaningful Work, We Offer

• Medical and Dental plans
• Health Savings Accounts
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave
• Strong, flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus pre-tax 401K and 457 plans
• Employee Wellness programs
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid life insurance
• Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/pslfFlow.action#!/pslf/launch

The Executive Director’s Office (EDO) exists to manage and supervise the activities of the divisions within the Department in the development, preservation, and enhancement of Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens - both now and into the future.

Department of Natural Resources, Executive Director's Office

This position is located in the Executive Director's Office of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. EDO exists to guide and supervise the activities of the eight Divisions within DNR in the development, preservation and enhancement of Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of its citizens – both now and in the future.

Description of Job

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

The purpose of this position is to ensure the state is well positioned relating to communications and outreach as Colorado River negotiations progress in the coming years, provide communications and coordination with intra-state stakeholders and partners, respond to increasing state and national media inquiries, support DNR-wide Colorado River and other water related communications and ensure better integration for DWR’s growing communication inquiries and needs.

Specific Job Duties Include But Are Not Limited To

• Creating and fostering Colorado River related comprehensive communications strategies and planning, developing web and digital communications and managing, creating content and supporting social media accounts and any other digital communications and platforms.
• Managing inquiries and formulating messaging for the DNR Director, Assistant Director for Water Policy or supporting communications for water related legislative matters at the Colorado legislature.
• Serve as primary contact on all Colorado River related media relations for Colorado, national and international outlets, which entails handling all relevant media inquiries, developing relevant relationships and conducting outreach.
• Developing Colorado River related general messaging, media inquiry responses, letters, emails, talking points, presentations, speeches, testimony, external/internal newsletters/content, internal communications or other written communications as needed.
• Primary Colorado River-related communications contact and coordinator for the State of Colorado’s Commissioner to the Upper Colorado River Commission.
• This position will take on special projects and other duties as necessary, such as providing general communications support and capacity as directed by the Communications Director.
• Provide support and strategy for all Colorado River related communications.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT RESIDENTS OF COLORADO

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in: Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Political Science, Public Administration, Public Affairs or other field closely related to the work assignment.

AND

Three years of professional experience in any combination of the following: Media relations, communicating on environmental, water or public policy issues, communicating on complicated public policy, political or legislative issues, managing websites and social media channels.

OR

Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year for year basis. Additional appropriate education will substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis, totaling seven (7) years of related education &/or experience.

Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.

If you are using a degree to substitute for the required experience, you may be required to provide copies of your educational transcripts for verification of your qualifications if requested.

Preferred Qualifications

• Fire years or more experience communicating on environmental, water, or other public policy issues
• Ability to work with a variety of stakeholders
• Experience managing websites an social media channels
• Experience working on Colorado River issues or water issues of the American West.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word
• Five years or more experienced with media relations
• Social media content creation
• Data analytics experience
• Strong written/content creation communication skills
• Five years or more experience communicating on complicated public policy, political, or legislative issues
• Proficiency in Google Suite
• Creating and managing content for websites, social media or other digital communications.
• Experience developing graphic and video content
• Current or former State experience relevant to this position
• Strong verbal communication skills

The current work arrangement for this position is as follows:

(Please note, this arrangement can be subject to change)

• This is a Hybrid position - Work is primarily performed from a home office, however the selected candidate will at times report to the office at 1313 Sherman Street - Denver, CO as well as other locations throughout the State for meetings, trainings and projects as directed by the supervisor.

Appeal Rights

It is recommended that you contact the Human Resources Specialist listed below to resolve issues related to your possession of minimum qualifications. However, 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, US Mail, faxed or hand delivered 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 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

The Assessment Process

• 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 will be a structured application review by Subject Matter Experts.
• Please thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) since question responses may be evaluated for content, writing ability, spelling, grammar, and effective communication.
• All applications received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed by an HR Specialist against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement.
• Resumes, cover letters and other attachments are not considered as part of initial reviews, therefore, it is important to document in your application your education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement .
• This recruitment may involve additional testing and/or exams to arrive at the top group for interviews.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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 Department of Natural Resources 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, Anna Kargobai-Murray, at [email protected].

ADAAA Accommodations

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Anna Kargobai-Murray at [email protected] at least five business days before the date that any accommodation will be required to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

E-Verify

The Department of Natural Resources participates in E-Verify in accordance with the program's Right to Work for all newly-hired employees. Employees are queried through the electronic system established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) to verify identity and employment eligibility. You may complete section 1 of the I-9 form upon your acceptance of a job offer letter, but no later than your first day of employment and in addition, on your first day, but no later than the third day, you are required to submit original documents to verify your eligibility to work in the U.S. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll–Free Applicant Support - Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues. Helpful hints: If you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and close the document before you attempt to upload it.