Indoor Air Quality Comm & Outreach Spec - PHCOP III - Health Equity Branch

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Indoor Air Quality Communication & Outreach Specialist works in the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Unit of the Health Equity Branch, within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Disease Control and Public Health Response Division. The position supports the Indoor Air Quality Team’s work to help communities and partners—especially vulnerable and high-risk populations—understand indoor air pollution, its effects on health, ways to assess indoor air quality, and actions to improve or maintain healthy indoor spaces in workplaces, schools, and community-use buildings. The role combines community outreach and public communications with technical expertise in environmental health, indoor air quality, and wildfire smoke. It requires translating scientific and technical findings into clear, accessible information and actionable guidance, while understanding health disparities and the effects of ventilation and built environments. The position also requires project planning and implementation, task and deadline management, coordination across concurrent work streams, clear communication with colleagues and stakeholders, and strong written communication skills for public-facing reports and materials. The position will primarily implement the EPA grant-funded Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Program, providing outreach, education, and training to local community partners about responding to wildfire smoke and its effects on community health. If funding is secured to continue the position after that program ends, the role may support other programs that promote clean indoor air across Colorado.

Requirements

Six years of relevant experience in communications or educational content development and community outreach applied to environmental health topics such as air quality and wildfire smoke, or in an occupation related to the assigned work; alternatively, a combination of related education and relevant experience totaling six years.
Colorado residency at the time of application.
Ability to translate technical and scientific findings about indoor air quality into clear, publicly accessible information and actionable guidance.
Skills in project planning, time and task management, handling concurrent work streams and deadlines, and communicating ideas and progress across organizational levels.
Customer-service-oriented stakeholder communication and strong professional writing skills.
Ability to work or remain at the worksite during delayed starts, early releases, or closures.
Availability to report immediately to a regular or alternate location during emergencies or activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan, subject to possible travel restrictions.
Legal authorization to work in the United States; the department does not provide visa sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Relevant experience with the State of Colorado.
Knowledge of and experience working with PurpleAir monitors.
Knowledge of and experience working with community partners on wildfire smoke exposures and building management practices for indoor air quality.
Experience conducting qualitative data projects.
Knowledge of and experience designing public communications about wildfire smoke exposures and health.
Technical scientific knowledge related to indoor air quality.

Responsibilities

Lead development of newsletters, educational flyers, technical support guidance documents, and presentations, drafting original content or adapting other agencies’ resources for specific communities and partners.
Develop and distribute outreach and marketing materials to increase program awareness and participation among school and community partners.
Develop curricula for webinars and workshops on indoor air quality, building management, wildfire smoke preparedness, and related technical support topics.
Create presentations, worksheets, templates, and other materials for external partners.
Identify and review relevant guidance and research from agencies, organizations, and research institutions, and translate technical content into accessible educational materials and actionable local guidance.
Identify, establish, and maintain relationships with external partners, including local public health agencies, local governments, schools, community-based organizations, universities, and businesses, as well as internal CDPHE and other state agency partners.
Coordinate or participate in working groups and partner meetings to explain program expertise and offerings and collaborate on indoor air quality, wildfire smoke preparedness, and healthy indoor environment goals.
Facilitate and manage the development of the program’s outreach activities and educational opportunities.
Communicate advice and assistance about indoor air quality, wildfire smoke, air pollution, and related emergency preparedness to stakeholders with varied perspectives and interests, using appropriate cultural, social, political, ethical, and legal frameworks.
Maintain regular communication with partners about program updates, offerings, and services.
Develop emergency planning and preparedness content and guidance for community partners addressing air pollution and air quality events.
Facilitate individual and group consultation meetings to support partner preparedness and planning for air pollution events affecting indoor air quality in community buildings.
Support school and community partners in incorporating responses to air pollution events into emergency preparedness plans.
Identify and engage key community and school partners to advance preparedness for indoor air quality impacts during air pollution events such as wildfire smoke.

Benefits

Medical and dental plans.
Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans.
Optional 401(k) and 457 retirement plans.
Employer-paid life insurance.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Potential flexible working arrangements.
Eleven paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
Tuition assistance.
Employee wellness programs.
Professional development opportunities.
Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.
Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.