This position is Non-Classified and therefore this announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado. THE POSITION IS TERM LIMITED AND FUNDING CANNOT BE GUARANTEED BEYOND 18 MONTHS. THE INCUMBENT IN THIS POSITION MUST BE WILLING AND ABLE TO RESIGN AFTER 18 MONTHS OR WHEN FUNDS RUN OUT, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST. Be BOLD and make a real difference ... We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer: Employee wellness programs and facilities Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system Strong, yet flexibleretirement benefitsincluding a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans Medical and dental health plans Paid life insurance Short- and long-term disability coverage 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master’s degree programs Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

What you will be doing The Chief Operational Improvement Officer is an executive leader within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), appointed by the department’s Executive Director and reporting directly to the Senior Director of State Air Quality Programs. The primary purpose of this position is to lead an operational transformation and modernization of the state’s air permitting programs, in order to meet statutory requirements, increase customer service, and accomplish goals and targets set by the department’s Executive Director and Colorado’s Governor. Efficient air permitting improves air quality and helps the department achieve its mission of advancing Colorado's health and protecting the places where we live, learn, work, and play. The position leads other operational efficiency initiatives within the division as well, such as the 2026 performance audit required by Senate Bill 25-306.

The position coordinates with the department’s senior leadership, performance office, and governor’s office, and manages third-party contractors where appropriate. The position will oversee a process of setting and then achieving a set of ambitious targets with respect to permit timeliness by leading the development of work plans; overseeing the assessment and improvement of business processes and workflows; identifying new, innovative and emerging strategies and best practices; integrating program innovations with the design of a new digital permitting system and the digital transformation from a paper permitting process. The position will also lead on change management to bring division staff along in the transformation process.

Job Duties:

Air Permitting Process Transformation The position leads the air permit transformation and modernization initiative to optimize work streams and use innovative strategies that will eliminate permit backlogs and meet statutory and programmatic targets. The process is expected to maximize the efficiency of staff time and increase predictability for applicants, plus decrease turnaround times across the board. The position will manage third party consultants as necessary and work collaboratively with division and program leadership, permitting staff, technology teams, quality assessment and quality control (QA/QC) teams and stakeholders to identify inefficiencies and recommend and implement best practices using structured problem-solving techniques and data-driven analysis

Data Analysis and Performance Metrics: Leads a team to set targets that meet statutory requirements and eliminate backlogs. Analyzes historical permitting data and performance metrics (e.g., permit processing timelines, backlog trends, and patterns); Develops and tracks key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate baseline performance and monitor progress.

Executive Leadership: Provides vision for the modernization and transformation of the Air Quality permitting system.

Serves on the senior leadership team of the Air Pollution Control Division.

Leads discussions regarding division performance and ideas for innovation or improvement with division leadership, the department’s senior executive team, and the governor’s office, briefing the department’s Executive Director and Governor as requested.

Fosters a culture of performance and accountability within the division

Process Assessment and Mapping: Oversees comprehensive process mapping of current air quality permitting workflows, including application QA/QC and completeness reviews, permit drafting processes, intermediate steps, draft permit reviews, public comment processes, and permit issuance.

Facilitates the identification of bottlenecks, redundancies, and non-value-added steps using established process improvement tools such as value stream mapping, SIPOC diagrams, and root cause analysis, consulting with key stakeholders to identify challenges and areas for improvement.

Ensures the integration of process improvement efforts with technology system upgrades, including the digital transformation of the air permitting system.

Innovative and Cutting-Edge Strategies: Researches and evaluates potential innovative and cutting-edge strategies to significantly change the division’s current approach and drive significant improvements in programmatic, service delivery and regulatory oversight. The analyses to determine feasibility of big picture ideas will ensure the division is closely examining and considering unique and creative solutions. Conducts a landscape analysis of innovations in permitting processes, technology systems, and operational management strategies in order to identify potential options for Colorado

Evaluates and/or pilots use of artificial intelligence tools to simplify and expedite permit intake and review.

Designs and proposes actionable process improvement strategies aligned with process improvement principles (e.g. reducing permit issuance timelines, eliminating time awaiting follow-up information from applicants, standardizing work, implementing automated or simplified permit templates, incorporation by reference).

Considers broad solutions such as but not limited to as outsourcing certain permit types.

Assesses regulatory changes – e.g. revising emission thresholds or developing additional general permits.

Implements new or revised strategies that will improve operational efficiencies and aligns with statutory, federal and operational needs.

Recommends technology or workflow changes to support digital transformation and process automation where feasible.

Implementation Support/Staff Engagement Facilitates cross-functional improvement initiatives and events involving permitting staff, management, and external stakeholders,

Coordinates and partners closely with permitting teams to enhance buy-in, implementing change management strategies along the way, and communicating regularly and effectively with staff.

Prepares clear documentation, process guides, and recommendations for sustainability of new processes.

Identifies gaps in staff training and knowledge, and makes recommendations to address. If applicable, provides training on new processes, tools, and expectations

Supports Stationary Source Quarterly stakeholder meetings.

In collaboration with assigned staff, develops pilot testing and phased implementation of process improvements.

Provides coaching and technical support during implementation phases.

Reporting and Documentation Provides standard project reports on progress, successes, challenges and obstacles.

Engages with assigned staff to document revised procedures and workflows as a long-term reference guide

Executive Coordination and Advisory Responsibilities Meets regularly with the Air Quality Director for coordination, reporting and initiative oversight.

Provides technical expertise (SME) directly to the Senior Director of Air Quality Programs and CDPHE Executive Director to establish goal alignment, organizational priorities and successfully address priority air quality programmatic outcomes.

Engages with the Governor's Office to provide project updates, solicit feedback, and revise project goals and strategies. Actively partners and communicates with Air Pollution Control Division Deputy Directors to ensure cohesive approach, strategies and tactics are developed and broader technical or organizational considerations are resolved to support project success and ensure divisional alignment and support.

May testify to the state legislature, following department protocols.

Additional Continuous Improvement Initiatives Continuous Improvement: Serves as the division's organizational efficiency and process improvement authority (for functions beyond permitting). Fosters a culture of continuous improvement within the division by applying data-driven decision-making, utilization of business process evaluation tools and concepts and leading or supporting change management. Encourages innovation in program design and implementation to enhance the effectiveness of the division’s air quality programs. Supports division programs, broadly serves as a resource for new and emerging initiatives and provides guidance to division leadership and program managers as they evaluate and consider process and change initiatives. Performance Audit: Manages the division’s performance audit that will occur in 2026 as required by a 2025 legislative action. Senate Bill 25-306 requires that the Office of the State Auditor conduct a comprehensive performance audit to determine if the Air Pollution Control Division is effectively and efficiently performing and fulfilling statutory requirements. The audit will also evaluate the ability of stakeholders to access division benefits such as programs, services and oversight functions and whether the division has sufficient staffing and funding to effectively meet statutory obligations. The bill requirements are described in more detail in the Colorado Revised Statute, 2-3-131 and 2-3-132. Engages with auditors and internal staff to provide information, explain processes and procedures and address auditor inquiries and questions. The scope of the audit will overlap and be integrated with the permitting operational efficiency initiatives described throughout this position description.

An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience. Minimum Qualifications Minimum 9 years of experience leading large-scale operations improvement initiatives, with proven and quantifiable results. Those initiatives should include: A complex problem Many stakeholders Significant scale (e.g., organization of >50 FTE, impacting tens of millions of dollars in annual spending) OR A Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, management, environmental science, engineering, chemistry, environmental policy, a closely related field AND Minimum 5 years of experience leading large-scale operations improvement initiatives, with proven and quantifiable results. Those initiatives should include:

A complex problem Many stakeholders Significant scale (e.g., organization of >50 FTE, impacting tens of millions of dollars in annual spending) Preferred Qualifications In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience: A graduate degree in a relevant field such as business management, environmental law, engineering, public policy, environmental policy, public administration, organizational management or environmental health is beneficial but not required.

Strong analytical and critical thinking skills

Excellent facilitation and communication skills, both written and verbal.

Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.

Executive-level operational leadership responsibilities.

Prior work experience either leading projects at a top-tier management consulting firm or in an internal strategy or consulting unit.

Experience utilizing process improvement tools and systems.

Experience with technology, especially UX/design or product management

Quantitative academic background and /or on-the-job training, especially involving analysis of large datasets.

Knowledge of the air quality regulatory framework.

Knowledge of the Clean Air Act, EPA guidelines/procedures.

Experience working with stakeholders and federal agencies on regulatory issues.

Familiarity with air quality permitting regulations, environmental compliance programs, or related regulatory frameworks.

Experience in federal, state or local government.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. TRAVEL: Occasional travel required within the state of Colorado and nationally for meetings, conferences, or stakeholder engagement. May include overnight travel. SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS: On-call Status: Required to be available during emergencies (e.g., air quality incidents, spills, or legislative needs) to lead response efforts and coordinate with state and federal agencies. A complete application packet must include: Completed State of Colorado application. COVER LETTER: describing how your professional/supervisory experience aligns with the preferred qualifications of this position and what interests you in this position Answered supplemental questions. If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. (if either are unavailable please email the department contact for this posting, listed above) If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write see resume. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application.

E-Verify: CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify , including your rights and responsibilities. ADAAA Accommodations : The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.

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