Director, Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response

About The Work Unit:

The Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response (OEPR) develops, coordinates and leads the statewide public health emergency response system. The Office ensures the relevant planning, training, education and exercises occur, in alignment with deliverables in federal emergency response grants, and to assure effective responses to, and recovery from, disease outbreaks and pandemics, environmental spills and disasters, coordination of patient evacuation and movement during disasters and facility closures, disruptions to internal operations due to technology or facility failures, and other types of events and emergencies. The Office also manages grant programs for local public health agencies and other system partners. 

The Office regularly evaluates the system and internal processes for effectiveness, incorporating improvements. The Office assures the Department can fulfill National Emergency Support Function #8 (public health, medical services, mortuary services, and behavioral health) during state emergency declarations, and supports Emergency Response Function #10 (hazardous materials), using the National Incident Management System as a framework. The Office facilitates the implementation of response plans and protocols internal to CDPHE, coordinating with public health and environmental divisions, and the Department’s senior executive team. The Office ensures that emergency responses are effective through planning, training and exercises, and establishing clear communication channels, standard operating procedures, ensuring an effective logistics function, and developing redundant systems.  

What You Will Be Doing:

This position serves as the leader of CDPHE’s emergency preparedness and response function for the Department.

The position ensures a successful operational system for public health emergency preparedness and response, both internal to the agency and across the state’s public health system, providing vision and leadership. The position facilitates the priorities of Department leadership and works in collaboration with local public health agencies, the Governor’s Office and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, inside the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The position oversees the Office, including federal grant programs, a budget of $15 million and approximately 32 FTE. The position is a skilled manager, successfully hiring for technical expertise and experience, ensuring staff performance, and developing a functional organizational and operational structure. 

The position facilitates and provides oversight for the development and execution of emergency preparedness and response plans, systems, programs, and functions; ensuring that grant deliverables are met and that CDPHE can successfully coordinate and respond to any public health or environmental emergency. The position may serve in key incident management roles, such as incident commander, or supervise the incident commander during public health events, ensuring a successful response.  The position exercises good judgement in keeping department leadership in the loop at the onset of events and emergencies, and assures the Department’s approval processes are followed. The position also seeks leadership direction and input on major organizational or system changes to ensure alignment. The position is a key consultant to the Department’s Executive Director, the Department of Public Safety, and the Governor's Office and may brief and advise the Governor during large and complex public health emergencies. 

Residency Requirement: 

This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. However, if you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in emergency management, public health, systems engineering or similar degree.

• Ten (10) years of relevant work experience at the executive level in the fields of emergency management, public health emergency preparedness and response, and/or military emergency response operations or similar field or a combination of relevant education and experience equal to 10 years.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in emergency preparedness and emergency management

• Experience in managing complex operations

• Experience in building and improving complex systems

• Experience supervising large teams and driving results

• Experience working in a complex political environment

• Experience utilizing negotiation and consensus building skills and working with stakeholders

• Experience in crisis management

** This experience must be substantiated within the Work Experience section when you fill out your application.  "See Resume" will not be accepted.

** In addition, part-time work will be prorated. A copy of your transcript must be submitted at the time of application (Unofficial transcripts are acceptable).

Conditions of Employment:

• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.

• 5% Travel requirement to meet with partners, conduct briefings, attend conferences, etc.

A complete application packet must include:

• A completed State of Colorado application.

• A cover letter explaining your interest in, and qualifications for, the position.

• If using education to qualify, a copy of your college/university transcripts. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 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.

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.