Department Information

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.
• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!
• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.
• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.
• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.
• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.
• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition assistance program.

Description of Job

Position: SGA 5034

• Converting complex regulatory and utility issues into understandable terms for the media and general public, including determining the PUC’s responses to media inquiries that are not only positive to the PUC, but also deliver appropriate and accurate descriptions related to decisions and activities;
• Engaging consumers through attractive and easy-to-access videos, graphics, and consumer guides around popular PUC topics – such as areas of interest related to energy, energy savings, green energy, transportation, 9-1-1 services, etc.;
• Determining the best methods to use for outreach, education and division communications, including developing content for the website, social media postings, newsletters/news releases brochures, consumer advisory guides, fact sheets, and other informational materials;
• Developing and maintaining key relationships with stakeholders, including regulated institutions, trade associations, business organizations, consumer groups, and others; as well as organizing, scheduling, and facilitating quarterly transportation meetings with stakeholders;
• Engaging in regular outreach and communication with stakeholders in the utility industries, including areas of public interest such as the natural gas pipeline program, vehicle towing rules and regulations, and energy-related matters such as electricity and natural gas rates;
• Establishing and maintaining effective and collaborative working relationships with other state agencies, the Governor's office, and industry and community associations and organizations.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public administration, public affairs, public relations, or in a field of study directly related to the work assignment, AND
• Four (4) years of professional* experience in journalism, public/community outreach, public affairs, public relations, or as a public information officer, which must include ALL of the following:
  • Researching, writing, editing, designing, and producing both electronic and printed informational and promotional materials on a variety of complex and highly technical topics, concepts, and issues;
  • Designing, developing, implementing, and managing long-term communications, outreach, and informational campaigns - including researching and developing responses to media requests, and writing scripts for public service announcements; and

  • Developing and implementing social media strategies, and managing, writing, and editing content for website(s) and social media posts to meet the needs of various audiences.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part time experience will be prorated.

• A combination of professional* work experience as described above, which provided the same kind, amount, and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis;
• A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study directly related to the work assignment may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree.

• Professional work 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in public relations or as a public information officer for a utility company, local, state, or federal government, or in a regulatory environment;
• Experience drafting and translating complex, technical information, and revising it to be easily understandable to a diverse audience;
• Demonstrated professional public relations experience, including a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding related to public relations and brand strategy, the use of social media in a professional setting, and the ability to coach others in the organization on utilizing such platforms as key tools in communicating and reaching target audiences;
• Demonstrated professional experience with public/community outreach and event coordination, including understanding the differences in community demographics across the state of Colorado, the potential impact(s) to local communities based on those differences, and experience speaking directly to the public or media to address questions related to those impacts/issues.
• Recent and extensive professional experience working with local and statewide media, including maintaining good working relationships with media organizations;
• Demonstrated professional experience with crisis management communications, including having the ability to speak to impacted communities;
• Demonstrated professional experience working collaboratively with diverse stakeholder groups to perform inclusive and equitable outreach efforts, communicate effectively, and educate diverse audiences on technical programs.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner for public releases;
• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;
• Demonstrated attention to detail;
• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;
• Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;
• Demonstrated public speaking skills, including the ability to speak to diverse audiences;
• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;
• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team;
• Complex problem-solving skills, including the ability to analyze situations and develop solutions;
• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;
• Leadership and mentoring skills, including the ability to manage the workload of a work unit;
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;
• Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;
• Reliability, dependability, and accountability, including consistent work attendance and time management;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of all confidential, sensitive and personal identifying information, personnel information, and any other confidential or proprietary information, as well as comply with all State and Department policies regarding professional conduct and professional practices;
• Self-motivated, self-directed, self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated professional demeanor, including the ability to interact professionally with various stakeholders and internal staff;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, Slides, etc).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, etc.
  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.
• This position requires the ability to travel up to 10% of the time, including staying over weekends when required; and the ability to transport equipment, including, but not limited to, laptop computers, printers, manuals, and supplies.
• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.

• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

Supplemental Information

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1.A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3.A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

Appeal Rights:

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 acknowledgment 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.