Department Information
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 at 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 plus pre-tax and ROTH 401K, and 457 plans
- Employee wellness program
- Training opportunities
- Short and long-term disability coverage
- Eleven paid holidays plus vacation and sick leave
- Paid life insurance
- RTD EcoPass
- Flexible work schedule options and remote-work options
- Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
- Variety of Free discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program.
Description of Job
The Division of Housing (DOH) partners with local communities to create housing opportunities for Coloradans who face the greatest challenges in accessing affordable, safe, and secure homes. DOH supports projects ranging from homelessness prevention to homeownership. Our work includes:
- Increasing and preserving Colorado's inventory of affordable housing.
- Managing rental assistance vouchers.
- Creating and supporting collaborative approaches to end homelessness.
- Regulating mobile home parks and the construction and installation of factory-built structures.
For more information visit the Division of Housing.
Position Summary
The Office of Housing Recovery was created in 2020, under the auspices of the Division of Housing, to provide administration of funds related to emergency assistance and mortgage assistance through federal and state stimulus packages. The role of this office has transitioned into new programs and opportunities with permanent funding.
The Director of Housing Recovery provides oversight and leadership for all personnel and activities within the work unit to include two permanently funded programs, two programs with temporary funding and two support functions for housing programs. These programs include, but are not limited to:
- Successful implementation of Proposition 123 and the day-to-day management of opening/closing commitments from local/tribal governments and approving those that meet the requirements.
- Oversight of petitions for re-designation of county classification and use of higher area median incomes by rural resort communities.
- Decision making authority for the Emergency rental Assistance Program (ERAP) and Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (EMAP), including transition its work from temporary funding sources to permanent as the Colorado Emergency Rental Assistance (CERA).
- Lead housing support functions related to environment review and disaster recoveries at the federal, state and local levels.
- Develop and update program guidelines, provide guidance to state partner agencies, ensuring program requirements are met.
- Determine program and project eligibility.
- Managing contracts and payments.
- Compliance and audit functions through the grant life cycle.
- Supervise program managers and other staff, managing performance, resolving conflicts, making hiring and compensation recommendations, coaching/mentoring and identifying ways to improve overall organizational performance.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience Only: Ten (10) years of relevant experience managing a federal housing assistance program, creating or interpreting housing policy and/or consulting on low income housing assistance. Two (2) of these years must have included experience with public administration, monitoring compliance with federal, state, or local laws, establishing goals and objectives, supervising others, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.
OR
Education and Experience: A combination of related education and relevant experience that equals ten (10) years, which includes:
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in nonprofit administration, public administration, political science or field closely related to the work assignment, as determined by the department.
AND
Six (6) years of experience as described above.
OR
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in nonprofit administration, public administration, political science or field closely related to the work assignment, as determined by the department.
AND
Five (5) years of experience as described above.
OR
Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in nonprofit administration, public administration, political science or field closely related to the work assignment, as determined by the department.
AND
Four (4) years of experience as described above.
There is no substitution for the two years of specific experience with public administration, monitoring compliance with federal, state, or local laws, establishing goals and objectives, supervising others, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.
Ensure that the 'Work Experience' section of the application is complete and contains all relevant work experience related to the position that you are applying for.
Applicants using education to meet part of the minimum qualifications must upload transcripts at the time of application.
Under the Job Application Fairness Act (SB 23-058), applicants may redact information from certifications and transcripts that identify their age, date of birth or dates of attendance from an educational institution.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Ability to interpret federal and state regulations or program guidelines
- Ability to consult, advise and work collaboratively across teams
- Capability to sustain a respectful and productive work environment that inspires teamwork and positive results
- Ability to gather, analyze, and interpret a variety of data to identify trends and draw conclusions
- Strong attention to detail
- Strong analytical skills
- Strong dedication to public service
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking skills
- Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and organize work to accommodate shifting deadlines
- Planning and organizational skills
- Ability to provide clear, concise, and objective responses to complex program questions
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and Word, and Google Suite
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Ability to de-escalate and resolve conflicts
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience administering federal housing programs
- Outstanding leadership skills and human resource management
- Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with a variety of stakeholders
- Experience supervising a team or multiple primary and secondary staff
- Demonstrated knowledge and experience with strategic planning and implementation
- Knowledge of federal and state housing program requirements
- Experience with policy and guidelines development and implementation
- Experience with business development
Conditions of Employment
- You MUST be a Colorado resident to apply for this position
- Occasional Statewide overnight travel and rare out-of-state overnight travel
Application Checklist
Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date of this announcement will result in your application being rejected.
Applicants may submit a resume, cover letter/letter of interest detailing how their experience and background address the stated minimum and preferred qualifications/competencies of the job and attach to the online application. Applications left blank or marked “See Resume” will not be accepted.
The application may include the following documents (attached to your online application):
- A cover letter.
- A resume.
- Transcripts if using education to meet the minimum qualifications.
Note: Current and former employees (transfers, voluntary demotions, and reinstatements) if applying are required to participate in the comparative analysis process.
Comparative Analysis:
Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted through a comparative analysis. The comparative analysis for this position will include a structured application review. Depending on the number of qualified applicants, the next step may include a written assessment.
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. 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.
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 acknowledgment 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. For questions related to this job posting, please reach out to Joel Ferguson at Joel.Ferguson@state.co.us
