Department Information

CDPS commits to cultivating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive work environment. We ensure that we recruit, retain, and promote engaged employees. Our approach to diversity is simple - it's about embracing everyone! We strive to build and nurture a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. Our strength is our promise to be inclusive with intentional strategies to welcome and uplift our employees to thrive - while building a more equitable workplace. CDPS is an equal opportunity employer. See our EEOD Utilization Report (2020)

At CDPS we nurture a centric culture driven by our commitment of creating a safer Colorado, an inclusive workplace where everyone can be their own authentic self. We model a culture of collaboration, support and growth to our employees. Our culture has public service focus, and we strive to provide innovative solutions and services to our fellow Coloradans!

Unmatched Benefits:

Did you know that only 15% of employers offer a defined contribution plan? CDPS offers unmatched retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans.

CDPS provides generous time off including 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation, sick leave, and wellness days.

Medical and dental options are available for permanent employees and their dependents. We also offer short and long-term disability coverage, and life insurance that includes legal resources and discounts.

Additional benefits we offer include free ECO passes for qualifying State employees within the RTD service area, and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.

Description of Job

The Executive Director's Office is the backbone of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, providing effective administrative and management services to the Department's five operating divisions. In addition to administering central functions such as financial services, human resources, rulemaking support, and government relations, the EDO maintains primary responsibility for meeting the standards and deadlines of other state agencies, the Governor's Office, and the General Assembly. The EDO includes the following:

The Office of School Safety coordinates and promotes effective school safety efforts at the state level, in partnership with schools, districts, and other stakeholders. The Office has the following responsibilities:

Oversee the School Safety Resource Center
Administer the School Access for Emergency Response Grant Program and the School Security Grant Disbursement Program
Promote equitable access to school safety support
Assist schools in assessing any school safety challenges
Assist schools in obtaining any available funding or grants related to school safety
Provide technical assistance to schools to improve school safety
Administer the Youth Violence Prevention Grant Program
With DCJ, administer the School Safety Working Group

The purpose of this position is to provide strategic oversight, leadership, and direction to the new Office of School Safety, including the coordination and promotion of effective efforts to improve school safety. This position serves as an expert advisor on school safety to CDPS leadership, other state agencies, the General Assembly, and the Office of the Governor. This position is responsible for decision making at the strategic and interpretive level, establishing plans, processes, staffing patterns and funding structures to achieve office and department priorities, as well as any priorities set by the Governor’s Office. This position requires a unique level of knowledge and expertise in management, school safety, public safety, stakeholder engagement and coalition building. This position will build and maintain relationships with state, community, and national stakeholders in school safety, and will leverage and respond to the media regarding these topics. This position conducts responsive and culturally relevant community engagement to ensure that all initiatives are inclusive. This position navigates politically sensitive situations with professionalism and diplomacy. This position is responsible for the administration of budgets, setting and tracking unit strategy and accomplishments/ outcomes, regularly reporting on progress to CDPS leadership, and management and professional development of the Office of School Safety Staff.

Key Responsibilities

This position provides overall strategic direction, leadership, management and supervision of the work and staff of the Office of School Safety. This position develops and oversees the implementation of strategic and operational work plans. Work plans include continuation of existing grant programs and implementation of a new grant program, compliance with statutory reporting requirements, provision of equitable and inclusive technical assistance and training, and maintenance of the resource bank operated by the School Safety Resource Center. Strategic planning will include setting goals, metrics, and regularly assessing resources and Office structure and capacity.
This position supports the executive leadership in the Department in school safety matters and participates in ongoing planning and improvement of the Office. This position applies sound organizational leadership principles to establish a positive, inclusive, and forward thinking work culture that results in quality and equitable program implementation and productive internal and external partnerships. This position ensures work efforts are aligned with CDPS values and objectives, as well as the work of other partner state agencies. This position identifies and pursues opportunities to engage the Office in relevant stakeholder work and conversations, and is always seeking new partnerships.
This position is responsible for building and maintaining relationships internally and statewide with diverse and varied school safety stakeholders. This position will intentionally focus on including underrepresented communities in school safety conversations. This position forges strategic partnerships and works effectively with staff, internal, external, state, national, local, public, and private organizations to advance the work of the Office.
This position oversees the strategy for public awareness about school safety by engaging stakeholders, setting priorities and making decisions regarding the dissemination of educational materials throughout the state. This position is responsible for ensuring that statutory requirements are met. This position raises awareness about school safety topics and shares materials and resources with local partners. This position oversees the existing training and education work being done by the School Safety Resource Center and devises strategies to supplement that work to include the new components of the Office of School Safety.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Ten (10) years of progressive professional experience in leading complex organizations and diverse teams, and planning, developing, directing and implementing projects that are in alignment with organizational goals and result in service optimization.

OR

Six (6) years of progressive professional experience in leading complex organizations and diverse teams, and planning, developing, directing and implementing projects that are in alignment with organizational goals and result in service optimization AND a Bachelor's Degree in any field from an accredited institution.

• 
  Demonstrated leadership skills and emotional intelligence
• Integrity
• Concern for others
• Change management leadership
• Ability to take input from a variety of stakeholders and work collaboratively
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Management and leadership experience with an emphasis on reorganization, streamlining and restructuring to increase efficiency.
• Proven experience managing a staff with diverse professional experience and qualifications.
• Proven experience in policy analysis, development and implementation.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written communication and public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and execute decisions.
• Ability to work in a complex political environment.
• Demonstrated transparency in management and staff communications.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

APPEAL RIGHTS

Supplemental Information