Tobacco Policy Work Lead - Term-Limited

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) is hiring a term-limited Tobacco Policy Work Lead in the Prevention Services Division’s Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch. The role provides subject-matter expertise, strategic direction, contract and grant monitoring, and operational work leadership for statewide tobacco interventions in either the Policy or Cessation Pillar of the State Tobacco Education and Prevention Partnership (STEPP). The positions advance the 2030 Tobacco Strategic Plan’s equity goals, with attention to the quality, accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and impact of public health initiatives for populations experiencing health disparities. The Work Lead coordinates designated team members’ daily work, oversees timelines and performance milestones, and conducts preliminary administrative reviews. The role also manages major vendor, local health agency, or grantee agreements; develops statements of work, performance indicators, and budget parameters; and monitors fiscal and program performance in accordance with CDPHE requirements. The Work Lead develops partnerships to embed evidence-based policy or cessation approaches into public health and care delivery systems, leads CDC and state-funded work plans, interprets surveillance data, and prepares technical documentation and briefings for executive and legislative audiences. This position is open only to Colorado residents. It is based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, Colorado. Hybrid work may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position is term-limited, with funding not guaranteed beyond June 30, 2031, or until funds run out, whichever occurs first. Travel is approximately 10% for conferences and training, with occasional out-of-state travel possible.

Requirements

Seven years of relevant experience in state or local public health program implementation, including informing policy or systems changes, providing technical assistance to grantees or partners, grant or contract monitoring, project workflow coordination, and building multisector partnerships; or a qualifying combination of related education and experience totaling seven years.
If qualifying through education, the posting identifies degrees in public health, public policy, healthcare administration, public administration, behavioral health, urban planning, or a closely related field as relevant.
Must be a resident of Colorado when submitting the application.
Must substantiate minimum qualifications in the application’s Work Experience section; “See resume” is not accepted. Part-time work is prorated when determining minimum qualifications.
Applicants using education to qualify must attach transcripts or a diploma to the application.
Must be willing and able to resign by June 30, 2031, or when funding runs out, whichever occurs first.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States; CDPHE does not provide visa sponsorship.
Must complete a pre-employment background check.
Must travel approximately 10% of the time for conferences and training; occasional out-of-state travel may occur.

Nice To Haves

Direct experience working in or alongside state-level commercial tobacco control programs, including operational knowledge of Colorado’s 2030 Commercial Tobacco Strategic Plan, Amendment 35, or Proposition EE funding frameworks.
Experience with state-level contract and grant monitoring using CDPHE contracting guidelines and Contract Monitoring User Guides, including reviewing grantee Scopes of Work and budgets.
Work lead or project coordination experience, such as assigning tasks, reviewing deliverables, checking timecards, or tracking performance goals in platforms such as Cornerstone.
Applied knowledge of commercial tobacco prevention and policy strategies, LPHA Core frameworks, policy training and technical assistance, or clinical tobacco cessation models such as Quitline operations and health-system referral loops.
More than three years of experience managing complex public health project plans, federal/CDC or state grant work plans, and multiyear program reporting.
Experience building and maintaining partnerships with CDPHE branches, Local Public Health Agencies, public health advocacy organizations, health systems, and technical assistance providers.
Experience applying Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access principles to adapt state-funded strategies for populations experiencing commercial tobacco and other nicotine-related health disparities.
Strong analytical and decision-making skills, including using surveillance data and grantee evaluation reports to inform program or budget adjustments.
Experience analyzing proposed public health policies, preparing legislative briefing materials, or contributing to executive summaries.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting technical program data to state leadership and external grantees.

Responsibilities

Provide operational work leadership for designated Policy or Cessation Pillar team members, including assigning daily tasks, sequencing timelines, monitoring execution, conducting preliminary timecard and leave verification, and tracking performance milestones in Cornerstone.
Conduct first-line technical reviews of grantee Scopes of Work and budgets.
Monitor large vendor agreements, local health agency contracts, or grantee portfolios on a dedicated day-to-day basis.
Draft technical Statements of Work, key performance indicators, and fiscal budget parameters; continuously monitor fiscal and performance requirements and ensure compliance with CDPHE procurement rules and the Contract Monitoring User Guide.
Lead, design, and maintain internal and external partnerships, including with local public health agencies, health systems, public payers, and community organizations, to integrate evidence-based policy or cessation approaches into public health and care delivery systems.
Develop and execute work plans for CDC National Tobacco Control Program objectives, Proposition EE requirements, and state-funded mandates.
Author technical grant components, create project management plans, interpret public health surveillance data, and prepare progress documentation for executive and legislative entities.
Serve as the unit’s technical authority on evidence-based tobacco policy, environmental change strategies, or clinical cessation practices and digital health platforms.
Translate evidence-based guidelines into statewide program parameters and prepare technical briefing materials and executive talking points.
Advance the 2030 Tobacco Strategic Plan’s equity goals by improving the quality, accessibility, cultural responsiveness, and impact of public health initiatives for populations experiencing health disparities.

Benefits

Medical and dental plans
Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit or defined contribution plans
Optional 401(k) and 457 retirement plans
Employer-paid life insurance
Short- and long-term disability coverage
Potential flexible working arrangements
11 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