Federal Implementation Communications Strategist - Term Limited

Federal Implementation Communications Strategist - Term Limited

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Federal Implementation Communications Strategist - Term Limited

Salary

$71,544.00 - $93,012.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

UHA05784 02/19/2026

Department

Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Division

Policy and Communications Office

Opening Date

02/23/2026

Closing Date

3/11/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

303 E 17th Ave Denver, CO 80203

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Jessica Bosick, Talent Acquisition Specialist ~ jessica.bosick@state.co.us

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENCY REQUIRED AT TIME OF APPLICATION

NOTE: This announcement may be used to fill multiple openings.

This announcement has been extended through March 11, 2026

Envision yourself working at HCPF (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5He6If7FyDY)

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) oversees and operates Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and other state public health programs for qualified Coloradans. Our mission is to improve health care equity, access and outcomes for the people we serve while saving Coloradans money on health care and driving value for Colorado.

As part of the State of Colorado, HCPF offers a competitive benefits package: (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits)

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/medical-benefits) , Dental (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/dental-insurance) , and Vision (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/vision-insurance) insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/disability-insurance)
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-employee-benefits/flexible-spending-accounts) (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/time-off-leave/family-medical-leave-act-fmla) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/time-off-leave)
• Accrued Sick Leave for State of Colorado Temporary Employees
• Flexplace and Flextime work arrangements
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program
• Free RTD EcoPass (https://www.rtd-denver.com/fares-passes/ecopass) to all eligible State Employees
• Credit Union of Colorado (https://www.cuofco.org/credit-union-colorado-membership-eligibility) Membership Eligibility
• 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 . https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

The Communications Division directs all external communications activities for HCPF to further the agency mission, vision, and values and advance health outcomes for all Coloradans. This includes managing brand experience for both members and general stakeholders, communications planning and message development, media relations & crisis communications, creating accessible and human-centered design solutions, and member content strategy and compliance with the Correspondence Improvement Act (25.5-4-212, C.R.S. or Senate Bill 17-121). The division also maintains oversight of any HCPF or vendor-created material directed at external audiences on behalf of the agency or Health First Colorado brand. This includes collaborating across levels of Department leadership on high profile matters to make certain they are handled in a manner that is most beneficial to the citizens of Colorado and to the Department. The Communications Division manages the nature, timing and scope of HCPF's external communication activities and works with Subject Matter Experts to develop the external communication content. The Communications Division has responsibility for crafting messages to members, providers, legislators, community organizations and other stakeholders that are accurate and that reflect the overall mission, vision and accomplishments of the Department. The division works closely with the Executive Director's Office on executive communication strategy for external audiences.

We are onboarding new employees using a hybrid approach. The Department supports flexible work arrangements. Depending on the business need and description of the position, we have options that range from hybrid, to full-time in the office. Specific discussions about the schedule will be discussed during the offer stage.

Description of Job

The Federal Implementation Communications Strategist position is the Staff Authority for the external communications strategy regarding implementation of the coverage and eligibility provisions of HR 1. This position develops and executes the HR 1 external communications plan and all related tactics, including:

• Leads content development for webinar series, media inquiries, presentations, websites, and other stakeholder-facing mediums
• Coordinates with the Stakeholder Engagement team to develop content strategies for specific engagements
• Owns the content and editing of the HR1 Implementation newsletter content
• Coordinates FAQs across the department to ensure consistent responses and information sharing to internal and external parties
• Collaborates with HCPF Public Information Officer to respond to media inquiries
• Oversees development of contracted communications deliverables

This position is term limited with funding through 12/31/2028.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description:

H4K4XXMARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST IV (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-hr-professionals/job-classifications/class-description-and-minimum-qualifications-for-h4k)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

There are two ways to qualify for this position:

Experience Only:

Seven (7) years of experience in communications experience including communication planning and execution of communication or marketing plans

OR

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Health Care Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration, or closely related field of study related to the work assignment.

AND

Three (3) years of professional communications experience including communication planning and execution of communication or marketing plans

Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Relevant education will be calculated as the following:

• An associate will count as two years of experience
• A bachelors will count as four years of experience
• A masters degree will count for six years of experience
• A doctorate or juris doctorate degree will count for seven years of experience

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous relevant State of Colorado experience
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally.
• Experience developing presentation materials including slide decks, talking points, and basic visuals.
• Experience managing contracts and directing production of deliverables by vendors.
• Fluency in Gmail and Google Applications, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems.
• Demonstrated success partnering with public and private organizations, special interest groups, elected and appointed officials, in situations that may be politically sensitive.
• Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability.
• Effective communication style and interpersonal skills that incorporate consensus building and participative decision making.
• Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Government Relations
• Experience with the media or journalism

DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• All positions at HCPF are security sensitive positions and require that the individuals undergo a criminal record background check as a condition of employment.
• Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.
• This is a term-limited position with funding through 12/31/2028 Successful candidates will sign a Waiver of Retention Rights and normal personnel rules regarding retention will not apply. Additional information regarding term-limited positions can be found here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEbEdIC6qBE&t=6s) .

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department's action.

For further information on the Board Rules, you can 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/board-rules .

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (https://careers.colorado.gov/how-to-apply) (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a writing sample and an example of a communication plan.

Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email.

Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.

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 Department of Health Care Policy & Financing 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, Anupreet Kaur, at anupreet.kaur@state.co.us .

The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing does not offer sponsored visas for employment purposes.

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

All HCPF positions are security-sensitive positions and require potential employees to undergo a criminal record background check. As a condition of employment, you will be required to submit to pre-employment screening if offered the position. Are you willing to meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have any relatives or significant others working at the Department of Health Care Policy & Financing? If so, please list their names here. Otherwise, please list N/A.

03

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification's pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately. Please verify that this information is included in your application in the supplemental questions.

04

Are you willing to accept an offer within the posted salary range?

• Yes
• No

05

Former state employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position. Otherwise, please list N/A.

06

Did you submit an example of a communications plan and a writing sample as described within the job posting?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer

State of Colorado

Address

See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website

https://careers.colorado.gov/

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