Department Information
This position is open to current Colorado residents only.
Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
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CDHSCareers
Please Note: This position has hybrid work arrangements, employees are expected to report to the office at least 2 days a week.
These arrangements are subject to change.
About The Executive Directors Office:
The Executive Director’s Office is responsible for the strategic direction and effective internal operations of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), working with the Governor’s Office, legislature, other government agencies, CDHS staff, counties, and a wide variety of stakeholders. The CDHS vision is to empower Coloradans to thrive through bold and innovative health and human services.
The Organizational Performance Management (OPM) team advises and assists agency leaders by using data analysis and strategic planning to drive strategy to improve human services outcomes in Colorado. The Department’s performance management strategy centers on reviewing data-driven reports during meetings where Department leadership and program staff hold each other accountable by discussing findings until problems are resolved and results are improved. This performance management strategy is not simply another layer of reporting but is the way CDHS manages its work to achieve results. The performance management strategy improves programs across all offices in the Department, including: Adult, Aging, and Disability Services; Civil and Forensic Mental Health, Children, Youth and Families; and Economic Security. It also improves internal-facing programs within Financial Services and Administrative Solutions. Through OPM’s efforts, CDHS division and office leadership are advised on performance data and are assisted in the development of alternative strategies for best results, with the intent of supporting continuous quality improvement. OPM also supports and implements other strategic planning and performance improvement efforts across the Department.
Description of Job
About this Position:
As part of OPM, the Design and Evidence Analyst supports evidence-based program improvement, including Evidence-Based Decision Making (EBDM), and innovation across the Department. This position plays a dual role: leading the development and use of evidence to inform strategic decision-making and supporting Human-Centered Design (HCD) activities to reimagine services, practices, and policies. Through collaborative research, facilitation, analysis, and synthesis, the Design and Evidence Analyst ensures that programs are both grounded in evidence and responsive to the people they serve. This role works closely with another Design and Evidence Analyst whose focus is leading HCD efforts across CDHS, and the Organizational Performance Management Supervisor who provides direction, review, and approval for all EBDM and HCD efforts across CDHS.
Summary of Evidence-Based Decision Making Development & Maintenance:
The Design and Evidence Analyst is the lead in developing and applying evidence-based tools, analysis, and practices to support EBDM and strategic planning. By co-developing and facilitating the maintenance of program inventories, evidence portfolios, and theories of change, this position ensures alignment between the Department’s investments and strategic goals. Furthermore, it guides research and evaluation strategies to improve program, practice, and policy quality and resource allocation.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Co-develop and facilitate maintenance of program inventories, evidence portfolios, and theories of change to assess program quality, maturity, and alignment with strategic goals and desired outcomes.
Coordinate research and evaluation activities to support evidence-building across offices.
Support the assignment of evidence designations for budget and performance reporting.
Conducts research to identify best practices and opportunities for program, practice, and policy improvements.
Translate evidence findings into actionable recommendations for Department leadership.
Seeks direction, review, and approval from the Organizational Performance Management Supervisor for all EBDM efforts.
Summary of Facilitating Innovation and Improvements Using Human-Centered Design:
The Design and Evidence Analyst supports the design and facilitation of HCD processes and analysis to co-create solutions that improve programs, practices, and policies. It applies qualitative research methods, prototyping, and iterative testing to uncover user insights and generate actionable, impactful solutions.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Plan and conduct user research (e.g. interviews, focus groups) to understand user needs, behaviors, and motivations.
Map service experiences to understand end-to-end experiences, and develop and test new approaches in collaboration with internal teams and community partners.
Plan and facilitate design sprints and ideation workshops to define problems, prototype solutions, and test with users.
Create and iterate on prototypes; conduct usability testing with users and stakeholders.
Promote inclusive, accessible design and advocating for equity-centered practices.
Collaborate with program teams to define and track key success indicators and use findings to improve and scale solutions.
Ensures stakeholder voice, including clients and community members, is embedded in decision-making processes.
Seeks direction, review, and approval from the Design and Evidence Analyst with HCD staff authority and/or the Organizational Performance Management Supervisor for all HCD efforts.
Summary of Additional Duties as Assigned to Support Department Objectives:
The Design and Evidence Analyst provides additional support to advance the mission of SOS and the Department. The position serves as a collaborative partner in strategic planning, internal coordination, and performance management logistics, as needed.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Supports logistics for meetings, workshops, or other work sessions.
Serves as a backup to other OPM positions during leave or high-demand periods.
Contributes to other initiatives or priorities as assigned by the Organizational Performance Management Supervisor.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Important Note: Please review your application to ensure completion. For the most equitable applicant experience, CDHS' hiring teams consider only the contents of your application to determine meeting minimum qualifications and for the comparative analysis process. Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs. per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and minimum requirements.. Volunteer work or a related type of experience may be used to meet the qualifications, but it must be documented. It is paramount that in the experience portion of the application, the applicant describes the extent to which they possess the education, experience, competencies, and background as they relate to the duties outlined in the job announcement. This experience must be documented on your application, and the supplemental questions must be answered. Answers such as "N/A," "In Cover Letter," or "See Resume" will not be accepted.
Minimum Qualifications:
Experience Only:
Seven (7) years of relevant experience in Public Administration, Public Policy, Evaluation, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Data Analytics, Business Administration, Statistics or another related field.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in Public Administration, Public Policy, Evaluation, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Data Analytics, Business Administration, Statistics or a closely related field totaling seven (7) years.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Evaluation, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Public Health, Data Analytics, Statistics, or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience developing or managing evidence portfolios, theories of change, or program inventories to support policy or budget decisions.
- Applied experience conducting or interpreting research and evaluation to inform program or service improvement in a public or nonprofit context.
Familiarity with the Colorado evidence continuum or related state/federal evidence standards.
- Experience supporting compliance with legislation related to evidence-based budgeting (e.g. Colorado HB 24-1428) or performance management.
- Proficiency in analyzing, interpreting, and presenting quantitative and qualitative data to non-technical audiences.
Ability to lead or support cross-functional teams through design thinking, strategic planning, or problem-solving processes.
Familiarity with human-centered design methods (e.g. journey mapping, design sprints, co-creation workshops), especially as applied in government or service systems.
Experience working collaboratively with internal stakeholders, external partners, and/or community members to drive systems change.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex information into actionable insights for decision-makers.
Ability to be self-motivated and self-directed, while possessing the ability to work in a team environment.
Relevant years of State service should be considered as a preferred qualification to be used to determine the top candidates on the referral list. (Partnership agreement 10.1.)
Conditions of Employment: Standard Background ALL CDHS employees (non-direct contact): CBI name check, ICON Colorado court database, Medicare fraud database, Reference checks, Professional License verification (licensure requirements), and drug screen (commercial Driver’s license).
Travel - Occasional in-state and out-of-state travel is required.
Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant’s prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.
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 (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement 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; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; 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.
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
How to Apply
The Assessment Process
For additional recruiting questions, please contact Victoria.Crocket@state.co.us
About 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:
*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more
information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.
Our Values:
We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable of giving their best to Coloradans.
Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.
We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
ADAA Accommodations: CDHS 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, Nancy Schmelzer, at cdhs_ada@state.co.us or call 1-800-929-0791.
~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~
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