Watch Center Analyst III

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Watch Center Analyst III is an independent-level operational analyst assigned to the Colorado Department of Public Safety’s 24/7 Watch Center in Lakewood. The position provides investigative and intelligence support to CDPS policymakers and local, state, and federal partners. The analyst makes operational decisions about information shared with the Colorado Information Analysis Center (CIAC), including potentially law-enforcement-sensitive information, and determines appropriate notifications for situational awareness under established procedures. The role performs intermediate intelligence-analysis functions, helps train new Watch Center staff, and provides input on policies and procedures. The Watch Center supports CDPS leadership and partners with situational awareness and real-time information collection, analysis, and dissemination during critical incidents affecting Colorado. It is a primary intake and notification point for incidents and emerging threats, and for petitions for Extreme Risk Protection Orders. The position also supports Safe2Tell Colorado tip operations and other CIAC functions, including threat and all-hazards intelligence, targeted-violence prevention, infrastructure protection, and cybersecurity programs. The analyst staffs CIAC hotlines, reviews and processes Watch Center and CIAC inbox information, assesses urgency and importance, determines appropriate recipients and detail for dissemination, and documents dispositions in accordance with security and privacy policies. The role coordinates information exchange with agencies and partners, maintains situational awareness, prepares and reviews intelligence products, and may support State Emergency Operations Center training, exercises, and disaster operations. The position requires obtaining, holding, and maintaining a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secret clearance. The position is hybrid, with a minimum of three days onsite in Lakewood. The work unit’s core business hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; however, the Watch Center operates 24/7 and this role is assigned to that operation. Applicants must be Colorado residents at the time of application. The role requires a valid driver’s license at hire, a Colorado-issued license within 30 days of hire, and the ability to operate motor vehicles and travel throughout the state in varied weather conditions. A background investigation includes a polygraph, fingerprint-based criminal-history search, reference checks, and driving-history review.

Requirements

Six years of demonstrated experience as a crime analyst or law enforcement officer; alternatively, a combination of related education and relevant experience as a crime analyst or law enforcement officer equal to six years.
Active listening skills.
Critical-thinking skills.
Strong organizational and follow-up skills.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to prioritize.
Strong interpersonal skills.
Colorado residency at the time of application.
Successful completion of a background investigation, including a polygraph exam, fingerprint-based criminal-history search, reference checking, and driving-history review.
A current valid driver’s license at the time of hire and ability to obtain a Colorado-issued driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
Ability to operate motor vehicles and travel throughout the state in a variety of weather conditions.
Ability to obtain, hold, and maintain a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secret clearance.

Nice To Haves

Leadership experience.
Experience writing policies.
Experience training staff.
Planning experience.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary training analyst for Watch Center staff and assist with training new staff on routinely used platforms.
Staff all CIAC 24/7 hotlines, receive and make calls from the public or law enforcement, and collaborate with other state agencies to obtain information needed to respond to requests.
Intake, analyze, disseminate, and determine dispositions for hotline calls; provide relevant resources and information to callers and partners.
Review, assess, and process information received through the Watch Center and CIAC email inboxes, including raw and developed intelligence from public and professional sources.
Evaluate information for importance and urgency, determine appropriate audiences and documentation detail, and disseminate intelligence through the notification matrix and other CIAC platforms as appropriate.
Handle documents and communications in accordance with CIAC security and privacy-protection policies, including protections for civil rights and civil liberties.
Provide second-level customer support and take appropriate action concerning inbox monitoring and incoming information or intelligence.
Compile, analyze, and disseminate information and intelligence from agencies, the public, and other sources to maintain information exchange among law enforcement, fire, emergency management, and homeland security partners.
Request, receive, and document confidential information; coordinate interstate and intrastate information concerning criminal activity and movement; and exercise judgment to ensure accurate information reaches the proper authority.
Maintain liaison and intelligence exchange with other law enforcement agencies and communicate with individuals by telephone or email to provide, request, or clarify information.
Assess unfolding events and determine appropriate alerts, messages, tools, and recipients among CDPS leadership based on information integrity, reliability, urgency, sensitivity, and circumstances.
Perform intermediate tactical and strategic intelligence-analysis tasks using established intelligence-community tradecraft and tools.
Independently develop and write intelligence products, provide final review of law-enforcement workups, gather information for trend analysis, and write or review basic intelligence bulletins in partnership with analysts.
Provide Watch Center leadership with updates and input for living Watch Center policies and training manuals, and complete assigned in-depth situational-awareness bulletin products.
As directed, support State Emergency Operations Center pre-disaster training and exercises and provide operational support during a state-declared disaster.
Attend or assist as a CIAC representative at special events or meetings and potentially assist with command-post duties.
Access classified documents and obtain, hold, and maintain a U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secret clearance.
Perform other duties within the scope of the position’s analytical skills.

Benefits

Medical and dental options for permanent employees and their dependents.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Life insurance, including legal resources and discounts; eligible employees receive Basic Life and AD&D insurance at no cost, subject to stated minimum and maximum benefits.
State of Colorado Wellness Program, including health coaching and skill groups; participants may earn a monthly health-insurance premium discount.
Employee discounts, promotions, and special programs through BenefitHub.
State contribution to a Health Savings Account when enrolled in a High Deductible Health Plan.
Eligibility for medical leave under FMLA and Colorado FAMLI.
Eligibility for hybrid or other flexible work arrangements depending on the role.
Retirement benefits through a mandatory PERA Defined Benefit or Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans.
11 paid holidays annually, accrued annual and sick leave, and four annual wellness days.
Employee Assistance Program offering short-term counseling, referrals, resources, training, and organizational development services.
Tuition reimbursement and reduced college tuition at CSU Global and DeVry University.
Eligibility for Credit Union of Colorado membership.