Water Quality Media & Communications Specialist III - 1606

Water Quality Media & Communications Specialist III - 1606

Salary

$58,872.00 - $71,508.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

FAA01606-08/10/26

Department

Department of Public Health & Environment

Division

Water Quality Control Division

Opening Date

08/10/2026

Closing Date

8/24/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

cdphe_hr_talent_acquisition@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.

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

The position is only open to current permanent residents of the State of Colorado.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/14VdzacrYcNbiOsHAZRmkdDttcTiM4C0y/view?usp=drive_link

At The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) we are dedicated to the Colorado for All philosophy - working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.

We support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we strongly encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Be BOLD.....Make a REAL difference . . . join us in serving our communities advancing Colorados health and protecting the places we live, work, learn, and play, to create a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations thrive.

CDPHE offers:

• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.

• Flexible working arrangements

• Retirement ( PERA options), Medical and dental health plans

• Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year and generous personal time off

• Tuition assistance

• Wellness programs

• Professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects

• Career advancement opportunities throughout the State system

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

Description of Job

The Work Unit:

This position is in the Communications and Special Projects Unit. This unit is in the Operations Section and supports the division's programs with respect to internal and external communications, stakeholder relations, special projects, and business process enhancements for better transparency and efficiency.

What You Will Do:

This position fulfills a key strategic role within the division. The Marketing & Communication Specialist (MCS) III communicates and engages with the media and with customers in policy, regulation, and technical discussions related to water quality issues. The focus of the position is to serve as the division's public information officer, as well as complete general communications work, manage division special projects, and improve the capacity for stakeholder and community relationships and/or processes. This position will be responsible for reviewing division-produced reports and other written materials produced by the division, reviewing and updating division webpages, and editing, writing, and developing communication materials.

Key Responsibilities:

• Media coordination
• Stakeholder effort coordination and facilitation
• Communications unit support

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST III (H4K3XX)

Minimum Qualifications

Six (6) years of professional experience in general communications tasks, editing publications, and/or graphic design.

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or closely related field;

AND

Two (2) years of professional experience in general communications tasks, editing publications, and/or graphic design.

OR

A master's degree from an accredited college or university in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing or closely related degree will substitute for the bachelor's degree and the required experience.

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: 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.

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.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred experience, competencies and abilities are highly desirable for this position and will be considered in selecting the successful candidate:

• Outstanding editorial skills, including Associated Press style

• Experience working with water quality, biology, chemistry, and/or engineering subject matter

• Prior experience developing, managing, and evaluating comprehensive communications plans or social media campaigns.

• Excellent skills reviewing and editing technical reports and rewriting technical content, so it is more accessible to the general public.

• Excellent skills and abilities in verbal and written communications to audiences of varying levels within an organization, in groups and individual settings,

• Demonstrated experience in project coordination and management.

• Demonstrated proficiency working collaboratively with internal teams, technical professionals, and national, state, and community partners.

• Excellent organizational skills: the ability to set, track, and accomplish priorities, goals, and timetables to achieve maximum productivity, knowing the status of activities at all times.

• Excellent computer skills, and has experience with platforms such as Microsoft Office Professional Suite, web design applications, and Google applications.

• Initiative and self-management; the passion and ability to dive into the work, prioritize appropriately, and accomplish tasks within established timeframes.

• Strong problem-solving ability along with the ability and motivation to develop creative solutions.

• Strong analytical skills; the ability to synthesize, interpret, and report on complex or technical information, collect, and research data.

• Excellent attention to detail; ability to apply care, thoroughness, and high quality to every task using a concern for all areas and people involved.

• Demonstrated experience writing about technical, scientific, or complex content, including subject matter on biology, chemistry, and engineering work and relaying this effectively to public and professional audiences.

• Demonstrated experience and ability to develop social media content.

• Demonstrated ability to follow social media trends and successfully apply them thereby increasing online engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to conceptualize creative content and communications products across a variety of media forums.

Conditions of Employment:

Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a pre-employment background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.

Ability to operate a vehicle to perform assigned duties of position.

Appeal Rights:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. 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 ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: 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. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

• A completed State of Colorado application.
• A cover letter, explaining why how you meet the minimum qualification and preferred qualifications for this position.
• An example of work product that demonstrates your communication skills.
• If using education to qualify, or to demonstrate completion of preferred coursework, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts can be attached to your CO Jobs application. Late transcripts will not be accepted.
• Answer to supplemental questions.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

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, 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 ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe_benefits@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

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 agencys 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

Applicants for State of Colorado classified positions must be current residents of Colorado. Are you a current resident of the State of Colorado who can provide proof of Colorado residency?

• Yes
• No

02

A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. As a condition of employment, are you willing and able to submit to a background check if offered the position?

• Yes
• No

03

Part of, or all of, the selection/comparative analysis process for this position may involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. The following items are required for this application: A Cover Letter, Transcripts (if applicable) and an example of a work product that demonstrates your communication and design skills. Have you attached the required materials to your application? (If not, you may go back and do so now.)

• Yes
• No

04

This position is responsible for developing communications materials for the Water Quality Control Division and requires extensive coordination with subject matter experts. Explain how your experience aligns with this work and why you are a good candidate for the role. Please provide an example of when you were able to navigate a challenging communications project that involved extensive collaboration,

05

Describe your experience interacting with the media. Please provide an example of a time you navigated a particularly challenging media response.

06

This position requires someone who can work with agility and flexibility while also following established procedures. Explain your experience finding this balance.

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/