Responsibilities

• Develop and implement short- and long-term communication strategies that strengthen public awareness, outreach, and the CPO’s internal and external communications.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the Ombudsman, Deputy Ombudsman, and agency leadership on emerging issues, media inquiries, public messaging, communication risks, and opportunities for engagement.
• Manage the CPO’s media relations, including responding to inquiries, developing media materials, coordinating interviews, and preparing agency representatives for media engagement.
• Coordinate timely and legally compliant responses to Colorado Open Records Act requests in collaboration with agency leadership and legal counsel, as appropriate.
• Expand the CPO’s outreach and education efforts for youth, families, care providers, community partners, rural communities, and the Colorado General Assembly.
• Develop clear, accurate, and accessible content for the CPO’s website, newsletters, social media, reports, briefs, and other communication platforms.
• Lead the development and publication of major agency communication products, including the CPO’s annual report.
• Manage the CPO’s Youth Voice Collective and develop youth-focused communications, outreach activities, and opportunities for young people to engage with the agency.
• Establish communication protocols, messaging resources, and style guidance that support consistent and effective communication throughout the agency.
• Provide CPO staff with communication training, guidance, and support for public-facing materials, presentations, outreach, and media interactions.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, or a closely related field and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, public affairs, journalism, or a closely related field.
• Candidates without a bachelor’s degree must have at least 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience developing organizational communication strategies and managing multiple projects, platforms, priorities, and deadlines.
• Experience producing, writing, and editing clear and accessible communications for diverse audiences, including websites, social media, reports, publications, and other digital or print materials.
• Media relations experience, including responding to inquiries, developing materials, coordinating interviews, and preparing organizational leaders for media engagement.
• Knowledge of and experience with the Colorado Open Records Act, including coordinating or responding to public records requests.
• The ability to exercise independent judgment when handling confidential, sensitive, high-profile, or time-sensitive matters and to collaborate effectively with internal and external partners.

Preferred

• An advanced degree in communications, journalism, public relations, public administration, public policy, or a related field.
• Communications or public affairs experience in government, the public sector, a public-accountability organization, or an independent oversight, investigations, or ombudsman setting.
• Knowledge of Colorado’s child protection and child-serving systems and the laws, policies, and public issues affecting them.
• Experience with Colorado General Assembly budget processes or communicating complex policy, legislative, or systemic issues to public officials, community partners, media, or other external audiences.
• Experience managing communications involving sensitive, high-profile, or rapidly developing matters.

Benefits

• The position includes a comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, paid leave and holidays, retirement through Colorado PERA, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.