Director of the Office of Neighborhood Safety - Office of Social Equity and Innovation

City and County of Denver • Denver, CO

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About The Position

The City and County of Denver is seeking a Director for the Office of Neighborhood Safety (ONS) within the Office of Social Equity and Innovation (OSEI). OSEI is committed to creating a city where race and other social identities do not predict life outcomes, striving for a more equitable Denver through policy, practice, and budget priorities that target historically marginalized communities. The ONS Director provides strategic and functional leadership for Denver’s community-based safety initiatives, playing a central role in advancing the City’s commitment to equitable, community-centered approaches to violence prevention and neighborhood safety. This role involves partnering with OSEI leadership and citywide partners to shape and advance innovative, collaborative strategies aligned with mayoral goals related to safety, equity, and community well-being. The Director offers functional direction for ONS programs, ensuring alignment between strategy, partnerships, and program impact. While the Deputy Executive Director handles operational management, the Director focuses on strengthening cross-sector collaboration, advancing innovative program approaches, and ensuring ONS initiatives contribute to Denver’s broader community safety ecosystem. The Director will represent ONS in high-visibility settings, build trusted relationships with internal and external partners, and ensure the division delivers effective, equitable solutions for residents and communities.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field based on a specific position(s).
• Five (5) years of experience at the type and level of functional or operational management, which must have included management of subordinate supervisors.
• Two (2) years 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.
• Must obtain Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) clearance within the probationary period.

Nice To Haves

• 5 - 7 years of experience in government, criminal justice, public health, or a related field, with a focus on violence prevention, intervention, community safety, or supporting youth or young adults impacted by systemic inequities
• Experience working in neighborhoods most impacted by violence, with an ability to show up with humility, cultural responsiveness, and respect for lived experience.
• Familiarity with gang culture, credible messenger models, street outreach, or community‑based intervention strategies.
• Experience working with youth and young adults navigating complex life circumstances, including justice involvement, housing instability, or school disengagement
• Ability to translate community voice and youth insight into policy, program design, and strategic decision‑making recommendations.
• Commitment to advancing healing‑centered, trauma‑informed, and culturally grounded approaches to violence prevention and community safety.
• Demonstrated experience developing competitive grant applications and overseeing grant‑funded programs to ensure compliance, impact, and alignment with organizational goals
• Experience working in or with municipal systems and navigating complex, multi-stakeholder environments
• Proven ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, grassroots organizations, and government partners
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including public speaking, facilitation, and the ability to influence across sectors
• Experience in community organizing, coalition-building, and cross-sector collaboration
• Comfortable operating in a strategic leadership role that influences direction and outcomes without direct operational oversight
• Master’s degree in criminal justice, public administration, public health, social work, or a related field preferred

Responsibilities

• Provides functional leadership and strategic direction for Office of Neighborhood Safety initiatives within the Office of Social Equity and Innovation (OSEI).
• Works with OSEI leadership and the Deputy Executive Director to help shape strategic priorities, initiatives, and goals for ONS programs and partnerships.
• Advances innovative and collaborative approaches to juvenile justice and resiliency, violence prevention and community safety that align with citywide priorities and mayoral goals.
• Supports the translation of strategic priorities into programmatic direction, ensuring initiatives contribute to measurable improvements in community safety and well-being.
• Cultivates strong cross-agency and community partnerships that strengthen Denver’s citywide safety ecosystem.
• Identifies opportunities for innovative programming, partnerships, and pilot initiatives that expand the City’s ability to prevent violence, support youth, and advance community-driven safety solutions.
• Builds and maintains trusted relationships with community members, partner agencies, civic leaders, and stakeholders to support collaboration and shared accountability for community safety outcomes.
• Supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs that serve individuals, families, and communities most impacted by violence or interaction with the criminal justice system.
• Works collaboratively with the Deputy Executive Director and ONS leadership team to ensure alignment between strategy, partnerships, and operational implementation.
• Identifies opportunities for resource alignment, grant partnerships, and program development that strengthen the impact of ONS initiatives.
• Coaches, mentors, and supports staff to foster professional growth, strong collaboration, and a culture rooted in accountability and compassion.
• Represents ONS and OSEI in meetings, partnerships, and public forums related to community safety initiatives.

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: Director
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees