Continuous Improvement Senior

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

3d • $74,276 - $122,555 • Hybrid

About The Position

At Denver Human Services (DHS), we envision a healthy community where people are connected, supported, safe, and well. One in three people in Denver turn to DHS for support at all stages of life. Our employees help children, older adults, families, and individuals navigate social and economic pressures by connecting them to services and experts who support their overall well-being. Denver Human Services is seeking an enthusiastic, innovative, experienced, and relationship-driven Continuous Improvement Senior to join the Continuous Process Improvement team within the Strategic Insights and Impact Division. We are looking for candidates with a proven track-record of success using Lean tools as well as Project Management expertise to improve services to our customers. Anchored in the Mayor’s Peak Performance initiative, our work begins with a simple yet bold vision: drive innovation by daring to be bold and creative. The City is committed to delivering breakthrough solutions with speed, efficiency, and impact which strengthens a culture that embraces continuous improvement at all levels. At DHS, our team focuses on making the right work easier to do. The Continuous Improvement Senior will play a critical role in driving service transformation by leading improvement efforts, and managing complex projects from concept through sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Three (3) years of professional level experience consulting with management providing expertise in process improvement techniques to achieve department/agency objectives and which includes applying organization and business knowledge to market and communicate the benefits of Continuous Improvement and operates with substantial latitude for independent action or decision.
• One (1) year of the appropriate type and level of experience may be substituted for each required year of post-high school education.
• Additional appropriate education may be substituted for the minimum experience requirements.
• Expert-level knowledge of Lean and comparable continuous improvement methodologies, with the ability to select the right tools and approaches for each project.
• Proven project management skills, including scoping, planning, scheduling, risk identification, stakeholder engagement, and delivering results on time.
• Experience operating in human services, social services, or public-sector environments.
• Advanced facilitation skills for guiding diverse groups through workshops, improvement events, and complex decision-making.
• Strong communication, interpersonal, and influencing skills, using data and evidence to support decisions and drive change without formal authority.
• Ability to collaborate across all organizational levels, lead performance dialogues, and identify root causes using structured problem‑solving methods.
• Demonstrated analytical ability, including process mapping, gap analysis, prioritization matrices, and the use of standard project management and Lean tools.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities independently, break down large efforts into manageable steps, and maintain momentum toward actionable outcomes.
• High proficiency in developing and delivering training and materials, working across cross-functional teams, and using Microsoft Office and related platforms (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).

Nice To Haves

• Relevant certifications such as Peak Academy Black Belt and/or Project Management Professional (PMP).

Responsibilities

• Assess needs, prepare, plan, coordinate, schedule, organize, and facilitate various Lean events including, but not limited to training, workshops, rapid improvement events, process mapping, and value stream analysis.
• Lead and facilitate comprehensive Lean Rapid Improvement Events, Operational standard Work workshops, and end-to-end projects.
• Collect, validate, collate, and analyze qualitative and quantitative data to understand current-state processes and identify improvement opportunities.
• Recommend measures to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and enhance customer experience.
• Scope, design, and execute division and agency-wide projects, establishing clear project objectives, timelines, deliverables, roles, and communication plans.
• Develop and maintain project documentation including charters, project plans, dashboards, risk logs, process maps, and post‑implementation reviews.
• Utilize established project management methodologies to ensure alignment with agency strategy, stakeholder expectations, and business needs.
• Monitor and track project progress, risks, dependencies, timelines, and key performance indicators to ensure outcomes are achieved.
• Facilitate project prioritization workshops and support senior leadership in selecting improvement initiatives aligned with DHS’ Strategic Roadmap, values, and goals.
• Support implementation of approved improvements and conduct sustainability checks to ensure long‑term adoption.
• Track, report, and communicate program benefits across the organization, illustrating cumulative progress and impact.
• Develop and deliver training curricula tailored to division and agency needs.
• Train staff on Lean principles, tools, and techniques while assessing and refining training effectiveness.
• Build staff capability in critical Lean tools such as standard work, PDCA, A3 problem solving, root cause analysis, metrics, and visual management.
• Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with staff, managers, executives, and cross‑departmental partners to encourage adoption and ongoing engagement with continuous improvement.
• Deliver clear, persuasive written and verbal communication to stakeholders within DHS and across the City and County.
• Provide guidance, coaching, and support to cultivate a continuous improvement mindset throughout the organization.
• Engage with management and project teams to review progress, gather input on improvement needs, and ensure clear communication throughout the implementation of Lean initiatives.
• Ensure the sustainability of improvements.

Benefits

• A guaranteed life-long monthly pension, once vested after 5 years of service
• 457B Retirement Plan
• 140 hours of PTO earned within first year + 11 paid holidays, 1 personal holiday and 1 volunteer day per year
• Competitive medical, dental and vision plans effective within 1 month of start date

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior