Chief Public Safety Executive for Colorado

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 180,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PERA retirement benefits including PER

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Paid Holidays

Job summary

The State of Colorado seeks an Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The role leads a multi-division agency, guiding administration, programs, and strategic planning to safeguard Coloradans and align with Governor's initiatives.

Responsibilities include budgeting, policy liaison, and building a high-performing team while collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to ensure safety and resilience.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s or advanced degree in public administration, criminal justice, public policy, law, emergency management, or a related field
• Five or more years of leadership experience in public safety operations in policing, criminal investigation, criminal justice, emergency management, or fire prevention and control
• Five or more years of professional executive management experience, including establishing goals and objectives and developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives
• Five or more years of experience fostering effective and efficient process improvements for an organization of twenty-five or more employees
• Experience building relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders with varying perspectives and interests
• A track record of building and leading high-performing teams across multiple operational divisions
• Professional knowledge of law enforcement, public safety, fire prevention and control, or emergency management and familiarity with federal and state government operations
• Demonstrated credibility with sheriffs, police chiefs, legislators, and criminal justice reform advocates concurrently
• Demonstrated decision-making in crisis conditions under compressed timelines and sustained public scrutiny

Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage the department’s operations and direct the implementation of its services, policies, and programs in alignment with department goals, the Governor’s initiatives, and the expectations of stakeholders
• Direct and oversee the department’s budget with fiscal management that operates within the approved budget, ensures maximum resource utilization, and maintains a positive financial position
• Build and cultivate a high-performing team through effective leadership focused on recruiting and retaining top talent and providing guidance, coaching, and development to direct reports
• Direct the statutory divisions under the department
• Lead all-hazards response through the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management
• Supervise the Office of School Safety, which oversees the School Safety Resource Center and administers the School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program and youth violence prevention grants
• Appoint management and staff to liaise with local partners
• Represent the department before the General Assembly and federal partners
• Collaborate with county sheriffs and municipal police, elected district attorneys, county emergency management agencies, fire protection districts, school districts, the Colorado State Forest Service, and Tribal governments
• Seek cooperation with all law enforcement agencies and serve as a liaison between the Governor and local governments and first responders on emergency prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery
• Brief the Governor’s Office on all relevant policy issues arising from state and federal legislative activities
• Build a good relationship with the legislature and serve as the point person for directing the department’s response to proposed legislation that may affect its operations

Skills

Leadership experience

Executive management

Process improvement

Stakeholder relationships

Team leadership

Public safety knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s or advanced degree in public administration, criminal justice, public policy, law, emergency management, or related field

Job description

The State of Colorado seeks an Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Public Safety. The role leads a multi-division agency, guiding administration, programs, and strategic planning to safeguard Coloradans and align with Governor's initiatives.

Responsibilities include budgeting, policy liaison, and building a high-performing team while collaborating with local, state, and federal partners to ensure safety and resilience.