Employment & Training Manager

Department Information

Are you looking for real meaning and connection in your work? Do the words “challenge” and “service” get you out of the bed in the morning?

Our commitment is to be an organization of “people who help people.”

If you want a rewarding, long-term career where you can make a difference, the Colorado Department of Human Services is for you!

We are the Colorado Department of Human Services and every day we strive to design and deliver quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence and well-being of the people of Colorado. Our mission provides our organization and employees the opportunity to make Colorado better every day.

Our vision is that the people of Colorado will be safe, healthy, and prepared to achieve their greatest aspirations. Through our core values listed below, we are committed to:

Making decisions with, and acting in the best interests of the people we serve, because Colorado’s success depends on their well-being

Sharing information, seeking input, and explaining our actions because we value accountability and transparency

Managing our resources efficiently because we value stewardship

Promoting a positive work environment, and supporting and developing employees, because their performance is essential to Colorado’s success

Meaningfully engaging our partners and the people we serve because we must work together to achieve the best outcomes

Committing to continuous learning because Coloradans deserve effective solutions today and forward-looking innovation for tomorrow

This position resides in the Department of Human Services within the Division of Employment and Benefits: The Employment and Benefits Division is responsible for ongoing implementation of an array of Adult Financial Assistance Programs (Old Age Pension, State Burial Assistance, Aid to the Needy Disabled, Aid to the Blind, AND/AB Supplemental Security Income, and Colorado Supplement), the Colorado Works Programs, Employment and Workforce Development Services, the Colorado Refugee Services Program (CRSP) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Employment and Training program (SNAP E&T), known in Colorado as Employment First (EF).

Description of Job

This is a high level professional position with responsibility for the development, oversight and management of the strategic and day to day operations of one of several sections with responsibility for diverse areas of effort within the Employment and Benefits Division.

This positions participates in efforts to define outcomes for low income participants, with a focus on employment and economic security from both a policy and systems design perspective. Coordinates and directs the workforce development activities for programs such as the Colorado Works program, the Employment First program, ReHire Colorado and existing or newly created employment programs within the public assistance realm. Manages and participates in the establishment, administration and evaluation of employment services programs and services. Responsible for creating robust employment strategies in coordination with county departments and their partners. These strategies include, but are not limited to, the following components:

Efforts targeted at specific populations such as low-income individuals, children, parents, and non-custodial parents.

Streamlined workforce development efforts that promote collaboration among local government agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, and businesses.

Establishing employer partnerships and working with businesses to determine their employment needs.

Promoting workforce development based on economic development trends, recognizing that high employment entry rates equate to a strong connection between the two.

Exploring, promoting, and providing a wide range of training opportunities that increase competency and provide professional certification attainment, targeted toward specific occupations.

The provision of individual and career assessment tools, career planning and retention resources to county departments and their partners to include technical assistance, coaching, and array of staff development opportunities.

Seeking grant funds targeted to train, retrain, and reemploy or redirect Colorado job seekers into new employment opportunities.

Exploring options and making recommendations for program design.

Managing budgets, offering recommendations and pursuing all funding available to maximize program delivery across programs of responsibility.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in education, human resources, counseling, human services, public administration, social work, political science, public policy, sociology, business or a closely related field .

AND

Experience: Five (5) years of progressive *professional work experience implementing workforce development programs. The experience must have included at least:

Two (2) years of *professional experience working in employment programs such as Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Colorado Works, Employment First, ReHire Colorado or comparable program from another state.

Two (2) years of **supervisory experience.

• Professional Experience is work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor’s or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

**Supervisory experience includes direct supervision of employees and the authority to make hiring, corrective, disciplinary, and compensation decisions.

Substitutions:
A combination of work experience in the occupational field or specialized subject area of the work assigned to the job, which provided the same kind, amount, and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor’s degree.

A master’s or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree.

Preferred Qualifications (Preference will be given to candidates who demonstrate having a greater depth and breadth of experience and knowledge related to those listed in the minimum qualifications)

In-depth knowledge of program policies and county business processes gained through experience while employed in the Division of Adult Financial and Colorado Works within CDHS

Five (5) years of experience supervising, designing, and implementing TANF workforce development and employment services programs, including effectively cultivating and managing employer partnerships, with a proven track record achieved through innovation and leadership

Demonstrated extensive knowledge of federal TANF regulations, the Work Verification Plan and state rules governing employment and training within Colorado Works

Considerable knowledge of national trends in research, legislation, and program innovations of workforce development programs is preferred.

Demonstrated working knowledge of current trends in workforce development, such as vocational/educational training, labor market information, employment practices, occupational and economic trends affecting clients and employers;

Demonstrated working knowledge of the organizational structure, functions, techniques and procedures involved in the operation of an employment services program;

Knowledge of and ability to interpret state and federal laws and regulations governing employment security programs;

Knowledge of skills assessment techniques and tools, customer engagement strategies and case plan development;

Demonstrated experience and proficiency providing supervision, guidance, facilitation and coaching;

Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal and external organizations, county departments of social/human services and community stakeholders to plan and execute program activities;

Ability to develop new opportunities for cross-fertilization across programs and divisions and gain support for the new initiatives;

Ability to independently define program goals, objectives, risks, roles and responsibilities;

Ability to plan, direct, and coordinate program and administrative activities of a complex, interrelated, and interdependent nature, where unknowns and numerous contingency factors are involved;

Working knowledge of, and ability to provide leadership and to supervise the planning, development and establishment of new, modified, and/or improved programs or services;

Considerable knowledge of employment practices and procedures designed to improve opportunities for low-income, low-skilled workers to prepare for, gain, and retain employment;

Ability to use independent judgment and discretion in developing strategies, assigning work, and planning for program and division goals;

Ability to effectively communicate with internal and external business partners in both written and oral format;

Ability to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintain them over time; and

Ability to set and prioritize workload, identify short- and long-term goals, develop a work plan with tasks, timeframes, milestones, resources, and dependencies, and develop strategies to achieve them.

What we want you to know as a new team member (Conditions of Employment):

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

Former employees of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on your application and may not be eligible for employment at CDHS.

This position requires routine statewide travel and may also require occasional travel outside the state, valid driver’s license required.

APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.

Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.

Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director’s Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.

A standard appeal form is available at: www.colorado.gov/spb. 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 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: 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. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

Supplemental Information

What it’s like to work with 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 (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:

Employee wellness programs

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans

Medical and dental health plans

Paid life insurance

Short and long-term disability coverage

Affordable ECO-Passes

On-site wellness center

10 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training opportunities, and more

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: http//www.tgslc.org/borrowers/public-service

Additional Information about the Process:
(PLEASE READ CAREFULLY):
Submit an on-line application by clicking the link below. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed above.

Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume to their application.

However, please, note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process, if you are advanced to that step. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked “SEE RESUME” will not be considered.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.

Note: Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions and reinstatements) are required to apply and participate in the comparative analysis process. Former employees of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) who were disciplinary terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on your application and may not be eligible for employment at CDHS.

Comparative Analysis Process:
The comparative analysis process for this position may consist of Structured Application Review, Telephone Screening, Structured Interviews, Written Assessment, Etc… Candidates who most closely meet the job requirements will move through successive stages of the process.