BHA - Legislative Affairs Officer- SES - Senior Executive Services

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work arrangements

Paid holidays

Health plans

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) is seeking a policy professional to support the Behavioral Health Administration's legislative agenda and coordination with the Governor’s Office and the General Assembly.

You will analyze proposed legislation, prepare testimony materials, and draft budget notes, while building sponsors and tracking bills through the session to align policy with fiscal priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and at least four years of relevant state-level policy experience.
• Three years of professional experience in public policy analysis, legislative tracking, or related policy development roles.
• Experience with legislative processes, policy development, and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Strategize to increase the Behavioral Health Administration's visibility among legislators, staff, and thought leaders.
• Negotiate with legislators and stakeholders to align proposed changes with agency priorities and Governor’s goals.
• Represent the Administration at hearings and briefings; draft advocacy materials and fiscal notes.
• Coordinate policy development, regulatory tracking, and reporting requirements with leadership and program experts.
• Prepare testimony, budget materials, and ensure timely communication with Joint Budget Committee.

Skills

Legislative knowledge

Communication

Relationship-building

Time management

Project coordination

Adaptability

Judgment & discretion

Education

Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications

Job description

This position is open to residents and non-residents of Colorado If appointed to a position, applicants from outside of Colorado will be required to relocate to Colorado before their start date.

Weekly Hybrid Working Arrangements Minimum 2 days in office and maximum of 3 days of remote work Mon-Fri 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Please note: Working arrangements are subject to change at anytime

Please note: This recruitment is not governed by the selection process of the classified personnel system.

This position is currently hybrid with some remote work flexibility, however, the position does require travel on a regular basis, including in-person at the Capitol during the legislative session and interim.

About this Unit:

Located within the Behavioral Health Administration work unit, pursuant to House Bill (HB) 21-1097. HB21-1097 provides that a Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) was created to be a single state entity. It was initially established under CDHS as of July 1, 2022, and will provide administrative and “back-of-the-house” support as long as the BHA remains under CDHS’ purview. It was initially established under CDHS as of July 1, 2022, and will provide administrative and “back-of-the-house” support as long as the BHA remains under CDHS’ purview. The BHA is a permanent entity that will be responsible for leading and promoting the state’s behavioral health priorities and efforts across agencies, creating shared goals, improving collaboration, and driving accountability and transparency. The BHA will provide oversight and coordinate service standards across the hundreds of behavioral health programs that currently exist under multiple state agencies and the Judicial Branch. The BHA will also work to ensure the recommendations that resulted from the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force (BHTF) and multiple ancillary projects evolving out of the work of the BHTF are honored and implemented, to ensure and meet our vision of having a comprehensive, equitable, effective continuum of behavioral health services that meets the needs of all Coloradans. The Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight for the public behavioral health system. BHA funds, supports and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers, and reviews and designates the State’s 27-65 providers and licenses substance use disorder service providers. BHA executes the State’s federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the State Substance Abuse Authority for the purposes of administering federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funds.

About this Position:

This position, under the purview of CDHS’ Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs, assists with the development of the Behavioral Health Administration's legislative agenda. This position assists with ensuring the Administration’s legislative initiatives align with the initiatives of the Governor’s Office mission and goals. Position analyzes proposed legislation by other state departments, agencies, and stakeholder groups, and identifies impact to the Administration’s programs, and when necessary, determines approach to, and scripting for, testimony. This position also seeks and secures legislative sponsors for proposals; negotiates with constituents, stakeholder groups, agencies, state departments and legislators to ensure that statutory changes accurately reflect efficient administrative capability. Prepares materials and provides testimony at hearing as required, which also includes representing the Administration’s budget with the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and reviewing and approving submission of fiscal notes. Keeps the BHA leadership apprised of changes in State and Federal legislation.

Summary of Job Duties:

Strategy Implementation:

• Senior authority in developing and executing a strategy to increase the visibility and influence of the Behavioral Health Administration among members of the General Assembly, legislative staff, and thought leaders.
• Leading negotiations with members of the General Assembly, partners, stakeholders, and advocates in instances by providing technical expertise on where proposed law changes are inconsistent with the Behavioral Health Administration’s or the Governor’s preferred policy positions.
• Representing the Behavioral Health Administration at hearings, meetings, and various events related to policy and fiscal issues before or under consideration at the General Assembly that impact the Administration.
• Monitoring and anticipating relevant political and policy developments impacting the Behavioral Health Administration and develops strategies for internal and external engagement around them.
• Securing bill sponsors for the Behavioral Health Administration’s legislative proposals.
• Performing the Behavioral Health Administration’s day-to-day activities at the General Assembly including, but not limited to, member relationship development, member education, testimony strategy, messaging generation, amendment drafting, and vote counting.
• Performing the Behavioral Health Administration’s day-to-day tracking of all bills introduced during the legislative session for purposes including, but not limited to, bill impact analysis, bill scheduling, and testimony planning.
• Identifying and disseminating legislation or legislative drafts/ideas to the Behavioral Health Administration’s programmatic experts for formal and/or informal impact analysis (policy and fiscal) and preferred position identification.
• Coordinating submissions to the General Assembly for the Behavioral Health Administration’s responses to fiscal notes associated with legislation, Joint Budget Committee Requests for Information, and statutorily required Legislative Reports.
• Draft advocacy materials related to budget and legislative agenda, including but not limited to fact sheets, talking points, and hearing material, educational materials, and budget materials.

Policy Development Process Coordination:

• Communicating the process and deadlines for developing policy proposals to the Behavioral Health Administration’s leadership and programmatic experts.
• Ensuring that the Behavioral Health Administration’s policy proposals are consistent with the Governor’s priorities. Includes policies requiring legislation to implement (Administration’s legislative agenda) and policies that do not require legislation to implement.
• Ensuring that the Behavioral Health Administration’s policy proposals requiring legislation are aligned with the Administration’s budgetary decision item proposals (in terms of process timing and symbiosis).

Regulatory Process Coordination:

• Tracking all legislation that requires or permits the State Board of Human Services to promulgate rules related to the Behavioral Health Administration providing for the adequate oversight of the quality of behavioral health services and standard setting for behavioral health services for children, youth, and adults.
• Disseminating rule authorizing legislation to the Behavioral Health Administration’s programmatic experts to commence the rule development process.
• Coordinating with CDHS’ State Board and Boards and Commissions Administrator to ensure that all State Board of Human Services’ deadlines are met in submitting rules to the Board for consideration.
• Develop process to track all statutory reporting requirements.

Other duties as assigned

Qualifications & Requirements

***Note: Please submit a Comprehensive Resume and Cover Letter to be considered for this position***

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or a closely related field, and at least four(4) years of relevant professional experience in state-level policy
• Within the four (4) years of experience, at least three (3) years of professional experience in public policy analysis, legislative tracking, community engagement, or a related role involving policy development, implementation or impact.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with a state legislature or General Assembly.
• Knowledge of or experience with public health policy.
• Experience interpreting, analyzing, or monitoring proposed legislation and assessing its potential policy or operational impact.
• Experience working with government agencies, policymakers, community partners, or other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Colorado’s legislative and public policy environment.

Key Competencies

• Legislative Knowledge: Familiarity with legislative processes, including bill tracking, stakeholder engagement, and general policy development.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to provide clear updates and adapt style for different audiences.
• Relationship-Building: Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, supporting positive relationships with legislators, board members, and advocacy organizations.
• Time Management: Organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely communication, tracking, and completion of assignments during the legislative session.
• Supportive Project Coordination: Skilled in coordinating tasks, gathering data, organizing reports, and supporting overall legislative initiatives.
• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to evolving legislative priorities and agency needs, while managing responsibilities efficiently.
• Judgment and Discretion: Ability to navigate complex political environments with good judgment, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive legislative information.

Conditions of Employment

• Standard background check and reference check required
• This position requires State of Colorado residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.
• Motor Vehicle Check, if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an ongoing capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.
• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non-restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border
• Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date.
• Position requires travel, sometimes over multiple days, to perform job duties.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:
• Disclose that information on the application.
• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.
• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

CDHS Selection Process Explanation

Employment history is calculated on a full-time basis (40/hrs per week). Part-time employment is calculated on a prorated basis to determine qualifications. Be sure your application specifically addresses your qualifications, experience, work products, and accomplishments as they relate to the position and requirements.

About Us & Benefits

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits, including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer-supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year, plus vacation and sick leave
• State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center
• Employee Wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training, and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families, and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness, and access in every decision, policy, and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.
• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.
• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.
• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.
• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.
• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 [e-mail].

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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.

Additional Support For Your Application

Toll-Free Applicant Technical Support

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g., uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.