Deputy Director of Community Engagement

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone, as well as empower state agencies to build a culture of operational excellence and bold innovation driven by continuous performance improvement. The Governor's staff includes offices for budgeting, communications and outreach, legal counsel, legislative liaison, operations, policy and research, and scheduling.

• Responsible for high-profile and large-scale event planning and logistics involving principals and community leaders across Colorado.
• Responsible for developing relationships through targeted outreach and increasing public awareness of the Governor’s agenda.
• Develop and implement a statewide community engagement plan that includes consistent and effective communication and engagement opportunities for the Governor and Lt. Governor to engage diverse communities.
• Responds to stakeholder's questions and service requests in a courteous, timely and equitable manner.
• Research, develop, advise upon and implement a range of innovative and effective techniques to engage communities in our decision-making process.
• Works closely with the Director of Scheduling for the Governor and the Lt. Governor’s Office to coordinate speaking engagements that are strategic and advance the Governor’s agenda and community engagement plan.
• Identify and develop spokespeople that advance the Governor’s agenda and work with the communications team to develop and amplify the Governor’s policy priorities.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and report on opportunities for mutually beneficial partnerships that progress the Governor’s office toward its objectives.
• In partnership with the Deputy Chiefs of Staff and Communications Director other relevant staff, develop an annual community engagement calendar.
• Help with the development and implementation of the logistics for various Governor’s office events.
• Produces and distributes weekly newsletters for constituents.
• Responsible for coordinating and assisting with press events, state-wide community tours, cultural events and special events as needed.
• Coordinates with Scheduling, Policy and Legislative Departments to help plan and execute bill-signing ceremonies in communities across Colorado.
• Supervise the constituent services & correspondence program with 3 FTE and broaden community resources network for the constituent services program.
• Special projects as needed.

• Preferred minimum of three years experience in event organizing, volunteer management, community engagement relations, project management, community organizing or other related areas.
• Have experience staffing elected officials.
• Have lived in Colorado for at least one year.
• Knowledge of Colorado counties, local regional issues, state political landscape, and local community contacts across the state.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, delegate, and to create systems and processes.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally.
• Works well under pressure.
• Strong relationship management skills with community interactions.
• Experience in and/or working with diverse constituencies and communities of color desired.
• Additional language skills desired but not required.

Conditions of Employment

Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.

To Apply:

A cover letter and resume must be submitted with the application for consideration. Your cover letter and resume must provide sufficient detail about your background and experience to allow the screening panel to properly assess your experience in the required elements, including your experience and achievements.

The State of Colorado/Office of the Governor offers a generous benefits package including:

• Medical, dental and vision plan coverage - including extensive prescription drug coverage (many preventive medications covered at no cost)*.
• Health Savings Account (with state contribution) when electing HDHP medical coverage*.
• Wellness programs - participation can reduce employee premiums*.
• Short-term and optional long-term disability coverage*.
• Life and Accidental Death/Dismemberment Insurance*.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*.
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Welcome Aboard Program - July 1, 2023.pdf
• Retirement benefits** - including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans - https://www.copera.org/
• Hybrid work arrangements.
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Discount Program.
• Training and professional development opportunities, including reduced college tuition through CSU Global ( contact CSU Global for latest offerings).
• Access to the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP): offers confidential mental health counseling, professional coaching, employee mediation, 24/7 crisis support.
• Free RTD EcoPass to all eligible State Employees.
• Credit Union of Colorado Membership Eligibility.

• To learn more about State of Colorado benefits, please visit the state’s benefits portal: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/benefits.

**For information on mandatory employee salary deferral (in lieu of contribution to Social Security), see COPERA for details: https://www.copera.org/member-contribution-rates

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.

ADAAA Accommodations

The Office of the Governor 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 Staffing Coordinator (the Director of Human Resources) at gov_hr@state.co.us.