Director of the Division of Local Government

This position is not part of the state-classified system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

About the Colorado Department of Local Affairs

The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) serves as the primary interface between the State and local communities. The Department provides financial support to local communities and professional and technical services (including training and technical assistance) to community leaders in the areas of governance, housing, and property tax administration. While all state governments provide such services through various Departmental structures, Colorado’s approach is unique in that these local community services are gathered into one Department of “Local Affairs,” which has a central focus on strengthening Colorado communities and enhancing livability.

Vision

The Department of Local Affairs is responsible for strengthening Colorado's local communities through accessible, affordable, and secure housing; implementing property tax law; capacity building, strategic training, research, technical assistance, and funding to localities. 

Mission

Our mission is to help strengthen Colorado’s communities

Why work for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs?

The work we do matters greatly.  It matters to us and it matters to the citizens of the great state of Colorado.  We love our community and are passionate about supporting our community. We value the diversity that Colorado offers. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference in communities across the State, consider joining the dedicated people of the Department of Local Affairs.

In addition, we offer a great location and great benefits, which include:

• Medical and dental plans

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement plans including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA  Defined Contribution Plan (Download PDF reader) plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans

• Employee wellness programs

• Paid life insurance

• Short and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• RTD EcoPass to all eligible DOLA employees at this time 

• Flexible work schedule options

• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs 

• Training opportunities

• Variety of free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program

Division Information:

The Division of Local Government (DLG) provides strategic expertise, advocacy, and funding to strengthen Colorado and promotes local problem solving, informs decision making and invests in communities.

The DLG provides various technical and financial resources related to land use planning, economic development, and sustainable community development. We offer creative solutions for helping local governments and their partners tackle complex issues. Learn more at Community Development Planning.

The Colorado Main Street program encourages the vibrancy of traditional downtowns and historic commercial districts, and promotes economic development. This program also helps with the preservation of historic structures through architectural services, funded in part by History Colorado's State Historical Fund. Learn more at Main Street Communities.

The DLG works collaboratively with community and supports economic prosperity during transitioning economies, and in times of shock and disaster, by providing research, assistance and coordination state wide. We empower Colorado communities in the face of major challenges. We work with state agencies, communities, and other organizations across the state to foster adaptability to change while preserving and enhancing the environment, economy, and high quality of life. Learn more at Colorado Resiliency.  

The DLG produces multiple guides, conducts analysis, creates reports, and provides the tools needed to guide communities through complex processes to help local governments reach their goals. Bringing statewide expertise in governmental finance and fiscal management, general government administration, critical infrastructure project development, DLG can conduct research, provide analysis and gather information to assist with more informed decisions.

Director of Local Government Job Summary

As a member of the Executive Director's senior staff, the Director of the DLG provides leadership, direction and oversight to the division, and is responsible for the establishment of goals and measurable objectives, development and administration of the division budget, and development of program policies and legislative initiatives. The position establishes procedures for the division and designs strategies, systems, processes that directly impact DOLA's business operations, strategic initiatives and the workforce. The position provides professional leadership and management, organizational development and develops responsive resolution, as appropriate, in all areas of local affairs, communities and government. 

The Director of the DLG plans, directs, and manages all facets of the community and local government services for DOLA to ensure that all needs of the division are achieved.  

The responsibilities of the Director of DLG include but are not limited to the following key functions:

• Effective leadership, direction, and oversight of DOLA’s Division of Local Government (DLG); serving as a member of the DOLA’s top leadership team, providing direction on department-wide policies and operations; provide support for and coordination with the priorities and directives of the Executive Director

• Direct the DLG, which includes developing program policies, guidelines and objectives;

• Budgetary oversight of an administrative budget of approximately $4 million per year; manage, approve and distribute approximately $185 million in grants and assistance to local governments annually;

• Directly supervises 10 FTE and indirectly manages approximately 53 FTE;

• Oversee administration of financial assistance programs including Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance, Disaster Response and Recovery, Community Development Block Grants, Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Assistance, Conservation Trust Fund, Community Services Block Grant and Colorado Heritage Block Grant;

• Manage the Division’s  technical assistance services to local governments including budgeting, demographic information, finance, elections, land use planning, field services, grant management, and geographic information systems;

• Effectively collaborate with stakeholders at all levels, in a county, state and federal/national capacity; establish cohesive partnerships to meet governmental goals and objectives.

Employment details:

• This position is not covered by the Partnership Agreement between the State of Colorado and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions (COWINS).

• New employees to the state will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

• This position is exempt from the classified state personnel system. Appointments to exempt positions are at-will, and are not subject to the laws and personnel rules governing the classified state personnel system.

• This position must report in the primary work location office with a hybrid model, and must be willing to travel to regional work locations across the state.

Qualified applicants must have over 15 years of professional experience of working with local governments, housing, community development or local government management. This experience must also include (as demonstrated in your application to be considered for employment):

• Two years of professional public or business administration experience which included strategic planning, establishing goals and objectives and developing and managing a budget, and allocating resources to achieve program goals and objectives for a complex, diverse organization.

• Experience overseeing senior-level managers with at least two years responsible for the oversight, supervision and direction of professional level staff.

• ALL experience must have been at a level that significantly impacted the success or services of a corporate or public entity.

Substitutions:

A combination of related education (in an occupation related to the work assigned) and/or relevant experience (high level professional experience in local government administration, city/county management, public/community engagement, regional partnerships, COGs (councils of government) or boards of commissioners, economic or community development, disaster response and/or recovery administration) which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired may substitute for the minimum qualifications.

This experience must be demonstrated in your application to be considered for employment. 

• Demonstrated ability to relate well with others, including executive level leadership, local government customers, peers, and other stakeholders 
• Knowledge of DOLA-DLG mission

• Ability to demonstrate vision for division’s future and initiative to pursue opportunities

• Ability to establish and maintain strong partnerships with state, federal and local community stakeholders

• Demonstrated knowledge of community development, management, administration and financial resources available to local governments while understanding issues associated with local government management
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience with grant administration
• Excellent leadership, management, supervisory and team building skills; proven experience managing a staff with diverse professional experience and qualifications; effective management, leadership, guidance for employee motivation, and conflict resolution with the ability to empower, inspire and uplift staff 
• Proven experience in the analysis, development and implementation of policy
• Identifies challenging, realistic, and measurable goals for the division and ability to execute with problem solving capabilities
• Adequate and appropriate oversight of division budget and strategic plan.
• Employs strategies to increase division effectiveness
• Excellent negotiation, consensus building and decision making skills
• Effective communicator; exceptional at written and verbal communication, as well as public speaking 
• Embraces collaborative approaches and identifies appropriate stakeholders
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication and public speaking skills

In addition to the Minimum Qualifications/Required Competencies, the preferred candidate will have:

• Federal and state assistance program knowledge, experience and expertise

• Knowledge and understanding of leading and directing in state government, local government oversight, the legislative process, lobbying and the Joint Budget Committee

• Federal and state budget, funding, and contract management experience

• Strong established partnerships with state, federal and local community stakeholders

• The ability and experience to positively impact thriving communities

• Exceptional acumen in interpreting federal and state regulations, contractual agreements and obligations, and legal documentation

• Passion for strengthening communities and seeking resources to assist governmental initiatives

Conditions of Employment:

• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License with the ability to independently travel.

• Must be willing to travel approximately 30-50% of the time with some overnight travel for several days at a time often on a relatively short notice.

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to be sensitive due to the position’s program access and program knowledge and the related compromise/loss potentials.

• Must be willing to be on-call in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location.  

Applicant Checklist: 
Only complete applications submitted on or before the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit all required documents by the closing date of this announcement may result in your application being rejected.  For assistance with the application process, please review the following video provided by the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration "Applying for a Job with the State of Colorado".

Work history must be documented in detail under the experience portion of application-"see resume" will not be accepted.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:
1) A complete State of Colorado Application for Announced Vacancy (Submit online using the link in this announcement)
2) A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (Submit online as part of your application)

Minimum Qualifications and Comparative Analysis: 
Part of, or the entire comparative analysis for this position, may involve a review of the information submitted in the application material, including the answers to the supplemental questions. Therefore, 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, as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications.

• List your employment history starting with the most recent job, including part-time, temporary, and volunteer jobs. If more than one job was held with a given organization, list each job held as a separate period of employment. 

• Under "Duties," describe clearly the tasks you performed and the nature of your supervisory, technical, or other responsibilities as they relate to the job for which you are applying. Be complete and specific in detailing of duties.

• Information must be accurate, including dates of employment.  If it is found that information provided is falsified, you will not be considered for a job with the State of Colorado and/or may be removed from a job after hire. 

• Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect the applicant's score and/or prevent them from competing in any subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants. 

• Factors to be assessed are those outlined in the requirements, competencies, and preferred qualifications.

• Years will be expressed in terms of full-time equivalent service with full-time workload equal to one (1) Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) year. No more than 1.00 FTE year may be credited in any twelve (12) month period. Positions working 40 hours or less per week will be prorated (30 hrs/wk=0.75 FTE=9 mos credit; 20 hrs/wk=0.5 FTE=6 mos credit; 10 hrs/wk=0.25 FTE=3 mos credit) 

Comparative Analysis:

Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees be hired and promoted through a comparative analysis.  The comparative analysis for this position will include a structured review of your application materials and responses to any supplemental questions.

Supplemental Information:

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 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.

DOLA 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 a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Joel Ferguson, DOLA ADA Coordinator at joel.ferguson@state.co.us.

Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email.  Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email.  Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam filtered email.

Please Note: 

As of July 1, 2023, all DOLA new hires, including transfers of current state employees and reinstatements of former state employees, will be placed on the biweekly pay schedule. This means you will be paid every other Friday for a total of 26 pay periods over the course of a year. Biweekly pay is also lag pay, meaning you will be paid two weeks after the end of each pay period.  Please click here for more information about the move to biweekly payroll.