Director, Unemployment Insurance Division

Director, Unemployment Insurance Division

State of Colorado Job Opportunities

Denver, CO

Job details

Salary

$91,704 - $142,500 a year

The Department of Labor and Employment keeps Colorado strong and competitive. We connect workers with great jobs and assist those who have been injured on the job. We help people who are unemployed through no fault of their own by providing temporary wage replacement and we ensure fair labor practices. We provide an up-to-date and accurate picture of the economy that helps in decision making. And we protect the workplace – and Colorado communities – with a variety of consumer protection and safety programs.

This is a values-driven organization, committed to accountability, agility, collaboration, and respect.

We believe in outstanding customer service, an inclusive culture, continued process improvement and in our role as a trusted and strategic partner. Recognizing that knowledgeable employees drive our success, we are seeking dedicated individuals who exhibit our shared values and our passion for quality and excellence in all we do.

In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:

Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans

Medical and dental health plans

Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

Paid life insurance

Short- and long-term disability coverage

10 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

Discounted RTD EcoPass (Denver Metro locations)

BenefitHub state employee discount program

CafeWell employee wellness program

Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more

Our agency website: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Description of Job

The Division of Unemployment Insurance (UI) provides temporary and partial wage replacements to workers who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. This program is funded by employer paid premiums and provides benefits to those who meet the eligibility requirements of the Colorado Employment Security Act (CESA).

The program provides unemployment insurance benefits in a fair, timely, accurate, and efficient manner to the employers and citizens of Colorado, to stabilize the workforce, and to minimize the impact of unemployment on the state's economy.? The division takes proactive steps to ensure that all customers - no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability, or geographic location – are effectively served within the mission and vision of the program. Within that framework we embrace equity, diversity and inclusion internally and externally, and are actively committed to:

Addressing the needs of diverse customers; understanding and responding in a culturally responsive way.

Create efficiencies in administrative and programmatic processes that reduce barriers experienced by customers.

Develop partnerships with relevant internal and external partners to address inequities in access to services.

The Director of Unemployment Insurance is an influential leader responsible for cultivating public and private partnerships across the state and nation to ensure Colorado reaches its goals, while remaining at the cutting edge of the Unemployment Insurance field. This position establishes the mission for UI to lead and direct the divisions and programs in Unemployment Insurance in support of the Executive Director and Governor’s vision. The Director guides the development and implementation of the division’s strategic direction, identifies and communicates the division's priorities, and effectively manages resources, people, and operations toward achieving the CDLE’s mission and goals. This position creates an equitable and inclusive work environment for a team of high-performing, creative professionals, and ensures accountability around employee performance objectives. The Director builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and represents the division working with other CDLE offices and divisions, counties, local partners, foundations, the Governor’s Office, and the state legislature.

This is a Senior Executive Services (SES) position which serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The position exists to provide leadership in meeting the vision and mission of CDLE and the Unemployment Insurance Division while providing an exceptional customer experience through developing and maintaining a strong senior management team, overseeing daily operations, engaging employees and holding them accountable, strategically organizing and planning operations and work units, continuously improving processes, implementing optimal technology solutions and building and strengthening partner and stakeholder relationships. This position serves on the CDLE Executive Team.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Represent the department on matters concerning the Division at public meetings, legislative hearings, advisory boards/committees, at conferences, in litigation and collaboratively with the CDLE Chief Communications Officer (CCO) through the media.

Work in close partnership and collaboration with the Governor’s Office to support a unified vision, the Governor’s positions and policies, goals, and strategies to advance Unemployment Insurance across Colorado.

Establish and nurture highly effective relationships with internal and external partners, customers, and other stakeholders that promote and leverage strategies to advance the priorities of the division and CDLE.

Collaborate and coordinate with other state agency officials and local leaders/stakeholders involved in Unemployment Insurance issues to advance the administration’s strategic direction.

Plan, organize, direct, administer and evaluate programs within the division, consisting of approximately 700 permanent classified employees, multiple vendors/contractors and a budget of more than $85 million of federal, state, and private funds.

Focus on creating a work environment that furthers equity and prioritizes high morale, empowerment, accountability, and productivity.

Supervise multiple UI branch managers.

Develop, approve and lead implementation of overall division goals, core values, strategic framework, policies, budget, and procedures toward the accomplishment of its mission.

Set priorities for monitoring and redirecting resources within the division to enhance efficiency and cost savings.

Promote organizational development within the division while creating a culture of quality and process improvement.

Works in a collaborative manner with the CDLE Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to provide oversight for fiscal management of the division, including approving operating expenses within the approved budget, ensuring maximum resource utilization, and maintaining a positive financial position.

Serve as a thoughtful contributor to the Executive Team, advising and supporting the Executive Director and Executive Team in developing and meeting strategic objectives at the state, department and division level.

Required Competencies:

Leading People: Motivate, develop, and direct people as they lead their teams, and create successful work environments to achieve the organization’s mission, vision and goals.

Leading Change: Ability to bring about strategic change to meet organizational goals.

Driving Results: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations.

Organizational Development: Ability to establish organizational structure, develop strategic work plans, budgets and controls, set goals and objectives to achieve program results, and foster a team environment.

Organizational Management:

Ability to oversee the analysis of complex human resources, financial, or administrative management, policy, and program issues.

Ability to provide strategic direction and ensure an effective work structure to maximize productivity and achieve goals.

Ability to oversee and execute data-driven performance management and outcome-based systems and initiatives.

Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and build coalitions with key stakeholders, speak and write authoritatively and compellingly, resolve communication problems, and negotiate and manage competing interests. Ability to work well with constituents regardless of position and authority, contribute to governing boards and committees, and adhere to clear lines of responsibility and accountability.

Communication: Ability to communicate effectively with policymakers, administrators, advocates, and a variety of local communities.

Complex Problem Solving: Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options, consider alternative solutions, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and use sound reasoning to arrive at decisions.

Critical Thinking: Use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Judgment and Decision Making: Consider the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

A deep commitment to public service, and to serving the people of Colorado; recognizes distinct differences that come with leading in government versus leading in the private sector.

Ability to interpret law and understand the big picture, balancing the needs of workers and employers.

Ability to work and perform while operating within strict time constraints and competing priorities.

Solutions orientation.

Embraces government transparency.

Demonstrated working knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

Demonstrated working knowledge and experience with Google Mail, Calendar, Drive and Docs.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This position is not part of the classified personnel system and serves at the pleasure of the Executive Director of CDLE.

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree

AND

Five (5) years of professional experience in executive leadership position(s) of large, complex organization(s) with proven examples of performance and technology management and process improvement including the following:

Establishing organizational structure, developing strategic plans, setting budget goals and objectives to maximize the organization's effectiveness and efficiency, utilization of data to drive performance objectives and initiatives, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive and equitable environment;

Two (2) years of experience successfully leading and supervising other senior- and/or mid-level managers;

Substitutions:

Any combination of professional management, business administration, public administration, and/or public policy development and implementation experience, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education may substitute on a year-for-year basis for the bachelor's degree.

A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university may be substituted for the bachelor's degree and one or two years of experience, respectively.

Preferred Qualifications:

The preferred candidate will exhibit:

Ability to incorporate equity, diversity and inclusion principles and strategies into organizations.

Ability to work in a complex and political environment.

Experience leading government services programs (especially those similar to Unemployment Insurance) at the federal, regional or state level.

Ability to analyze, develop and implement policy, particularly in a state context.

Knowledge and experience with CESA.

Experience managing or having a major leading role in process improvement and/or change management efforts, creating customer service performance metrics and/or developing and implementing strategic goals.

Experience meeting federal objectives and/or interfacing with federal agency that has regulatory authority.

Supplemental Information

Background Check – Condition of Employment

You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.

Minimum Qualification Screening

A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Part-time work experience will be prorated.

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.

Comparative Analysis Process – Structured Application Review

After minimum qualification screening, the comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review and rating of all the information you submit with your application materials. Therefore, it is extremely important to document in the work experience/job duties portion of your online application the extent to which you possess the education, experience, minimum qualifications, and preferred qualifications as outlined in the job announcement. It is also important to thoroughly answer all supplemental questions (if listed) as your answers to these questions will be evaluated during this phase. Any attachments such as cover letters, resumes or other documents that support your experience may also be reviewed during this phase.

Supplemental Questions

Answer the supplemental questions on the application completely and thoughtfully. Your answers may be rated based on your writing ability (spelling, grammar, and clarity of your writing) as well as the content of your answer.

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 Labor and Employment 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, Deidre Johnson, at deidre.johnson@state.co.us or call 303-318-8163. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For all other inquiries about this recruitment effort, please call 303-318-8200.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources at (303) 318-8200 or cdle_hr_group@state.co.us at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.