Adult Protective Services (APS) Associate Program Director

This position is open to current Colorado residents only. Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Hybrid work location: A minimum of two days on-site, typically Wednesdays and Thursdays. Please note: These working arrangements are subject to change. Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details! Adult Protective Services The Division of Aging and Adult Protective Services (AAPS) is one of three Divisions within the Office of Children, Aging and Community Services. The Division exists to provide state leadership and supervision for all services (state, county, local, non‑profit, etc.) in the administration and coordination of services to older adults, to include oversight of all 64 county departments of social/human services in the administration of Adult Protective Services (APS) programs as well as the 16 Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) in the administration of programs and services funded by the Older Americans Act (OAA) and State Funding for Senior Services (SFSS). The Division consists of the following management units that report to the Division Director: State Unit on Aging (SUA); Adult Protective Services, and within, the Colorado APS Data System (CAPS) Check Unit (CCU), and APS Policy Unit Data, Fiscal and Program Accountability functions are included in both programs. APS administers both the statewide APS program and the CAPS Check Unit (CCU). The APS program provides supervisory oversight of 64 County Departments in the administration of APS. The CCU provides pre‑employment background screening of the Colorado APS Data System (CAPS). Job Description This position supports the APS Program Director in providing management and guidance to state staff for the APS program. This position oversees the APS Training Specialist, the Colorado APS (CAPS) Data System Team, and the CAPS Check Unit (CCU). The APS Associate Director serves as the strategic bridge between high-level policy and daily operations for Colorado’s Adult Protective Services program. In this role, the position supports division leadership in analyzing legislation, authoring rules, and shaping statewide best practices, while taking primary responsibility for operationalizing those policies through training and updates to the CAPS system and CAPS Check Unit. By providing strategic governance, budgetary oversight, and leadership to training, the CAPS data system team and the CAPS Check Unit (CCU), the Associate Director translates statutory and regulatory requirements into functional technical updates and operational workflows. Ultimately, this position ensures program integrity, data security, and operational compliance across all 64 counties, effectively transforming high-level policy goals into practical, real-world execution. Job duties of the Associate Director include, but are not limited to: Policy and Program Development This position is responsible for supporting the APS Program Director with establishing policy and best practice for the Adult Protective Services (APS) program to be implemented by county departments statewide. This includes preparation of reports, guidance, and recommendations for the APS Program Director, AAPS Division Director, and the Department related to mistreatment and self‑neglect of at‑risk adults in Colorado; legislative initiatives; program quality and integrity; direction to the county departments related to performance and program compliance; rule development and updates; identification of new promising and best practices in the APS program; and training for county department APS staff. The position is also responsible for collaboration with other agencies and Department Divisions that play a role in the services provided to APS clients, including but not limited to county departments, Regional Centers, Health Care Policy and Financing, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Office of Behavioral Health within the Department of Human Services. This position is responsible for establishing policy and best practices for the CAPS (Colorado APS Data System) Check Unit (CCU) to be implemented by the CCU supervisor and technicians. This includes overall CCU operations, quality assurance, legislative initiatives, reporting, budget, training for CCU staff and employers, and providing recommendations to the Division Director and the Department. This position supports the APS Program Director with analyzing legislative proposals and supports Division and Office leadership in the development of policy impact analysis recommendations when needed. Data System Support and Maintenance This position provides strategic governance and operational oversight for the administration, security, and maintenance of the Colorado Adult Protective Services (CAPS) data and case management system, which operates independently of Office of Information Technology (OIT) support. The position establishes the direction for and monitors the performance of the internal APS data system team, which executes the hands‑on system maintenance, security protocols, user access management, and help desk operations. Serving as the ultimate product owner, this position holds final approval authority and prioritization management for all system enhancements and change requests supporting both the APS program and the CCU. Rather than performing individual technical execution, this position governs the prioritization, policy alignment, and systemic analysis of data and reporting needs. The Associate Director provides high‑level direction and oversight for translating statutory, regulatory, and policy changes into clear technical requirements, ensuring that automated screening tools and user interfaces align seamlessly with county and state workflow needs. Through strategic leadership of the data team, this position oversees system reliability, usability, and strict security protocols to safeguard confidential data while monitoring overall system health and prioritizing defect resolutions with developers. Additionally, the role drives data‑informed decision‑making by directing the deployment of automated reporting structures and leveraging aggregate data, system utilization metrics, and outcome analytics to evaluate and enhance overall program performance statewide. Supervision The position develops and monitors work plans, writes performance reviews for direct reports, and reviews performance reviews for the remaining FTE. The position writes position descriptions, hires staff, coaches and mentors staff, and develops performance improvement plans, when necessary. Delegates appropriate assignments and tasks. The position also provides supervision of contract and/or temporary staff, when employed. The position ensures that the APS Section staff are managing their tasks and communicating concerns with this position. The position may provide supervision of contract and/or temporary staff or oversight of internships supporting the program, as designated/applicable. The position reviews recommendations from the CCU supervisor related to performance incentives, flex time and flex place, and other activities designed to minimize vacancies within the CCU. The position decides which are appropriate and provides approval for those incentives. The position provides strategic leadership and operational direction in alignment with the Program Director for all staff in the section, to include strategic planning, workload management, operational decisions, and coaching for improved performance. Program and Data Integrity The position monitors county program compliance with APS statutory and regulatory requirements; develops tools and data reports to assess program compliance; conducts program assessments and evaluations and recommends actions to address issues, up to and including corrective action. Coordinates with the Administrative Review Division (ARD) to ensure quality assurance reviews are being conducted according to program rule and program practice expectations. Coordinates with county APS programs to respond to the results of ARD quality assurance reviews through training. Elevates ongoing trends (positive or negative) to the Program Director, Division Director and/or the Department. Oversees all activities related to C‑stat for the APS program. Serves as the Data steward (or delegates) for all requests for information. Position ensures that CAPS checks conducted by the CCU are accurate so that no false positive or false negative results are provided to employers. The position ensures that all search procedures are followed, and that routine monitoring of quality is conducted by the CCU supervisor. The position must ensure that all expectations for returning results timely are met or exceeded. Budget and Contract Management This position is responsible for managing the APS program within the allocated funds, including state administration, which includes personnel and operating costs, and training funds for county programs. The position also manages the CCU budget in coordination with the Child and Adult Maltreatment Dispute Review Section (CAMDRS), which manages all due process costs. The position ensures that the CCU is not collecting too much or too little cash fund by analyzing expenses of the CCU and CAMDRS units with the number of CAPS check requests to determine the fee to charge employers for the CAPS check. The position assists the Division and Office Leadership with supplemental and budget requests and development of fiscal notes for proposed legislative changes. The position participates in the Financial Sub‑Policy Advisory Committee (SubPAC) as needed and is a voting member of the APS Allocation Task Group, charged with development of an equitable allocation formula for county department APS administration and client services funds. The position also provides management of the statewide data and case management system (CAPS) to ensure that the licenses purchased with the allocated funds are adequate to meet user needs. The position determines when an outside developer might be needed to assist with CAPS upgrades, and if needed, develops all task orders for those contracted system enhancements for the APS program and CCU. The position manages the processes related to the purchase of licenses for CAPS. Other Duties As Assigned The position may be designated by the Program Director to complete or assist in completion of any other duties assigned to the APS program and CCU by the Department, the Office Director, or the Division Director. The position provides back‑up for training, technical assistance, and other duties performed by the program and data system specialists. The position provides consultation to the county departments and employers. This position is responsible for supporting the Program Director and the Section overall in leadership needs, including supporting staff within the Section who report directly to the Program Director. This could include: Reviewing/analyzing Section budget needs and supporting the Director and the Program Assistant in procurement/budget related issues. Budget and contract management duties held by the Program Director may be delegated to or need support from this position. This could include contract management for specific projects involving longer‑term program evaluations or other contractual initiatives; approving/facilitating procurement/purchasing decisions on behalf of the Program Director; and/or advocacy for funding, policies, or other supports/resources related to the APS program. Serving as a Department representative on various internal and external committees and task groups at the local, state, or national level. Presentations and community engagement as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree (4 years) from an accredited institution in a field of study related to the work assignment (a degree in social work, human services, public policy, public administration, psychology, sociology, liberal arts, public health, organizational leadership, etc.) AND Five years of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position, such as social services casework, or any field where a caseload is carried, policy writing, and implementation. Substitutions Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year‑for‑year basis (any similar public service role providing policy guidance and oversight of government services, especially human services types of programs, but could include other similar systems supporting adults; and/or supervision/leadership). Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required general experience on a year‑for‑year basis, but not the five years of specific experience (in related disciplines such as Social work, human services, public policy, public administration, psychology, sociology, any specific aging or aging‑related program titles, liberal arts, public health, organizational leadership or related topics, or anything in similar fields). Preferred Qualifications Experience in leadership roles supporting Adult Protective Services, especially within the Colorado APS system, and/or similar government‑regulated work. Experience with oversight over multiple roles and/or management of multiple functions. Significant understanding of the needs of at‑risk adults as well as County APS programs. Experience leading program/process design and implementation and/or change management initiatives. Experience developing and interpreting rules and regulations and/or participating in legislative processes, especially in Colorado. Experience and proficiency with technology such as Google Workspace (including Google Forms, Sheets, and Docs), Microsoft Office Tools, Zoom, and/or CAPS. Experience with and/or understanding of general purchasing and/or budget‑related functions, especially within government‑regulated environments. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong public speaking and facilitation skills. Excellent time management skills and attention to detail. Excellent customer service and stakeholder engagement skills with demonstrated successes in supporting collaborative initiatives involving multiple stakeholder types. Conditions of Employment Standard background check and reference check required This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position. Motor Vehicle Check, if the employee will drive a state‑owned vehicle, either in an ongoing capacity while performing their normal day‑to‑day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc. Must possess a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License or a non‑restricted U.S. Driver's License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border Out-of-State Driver’s License holders must obtain a valid, non‑restricted Colorado Driver’s License within 30 days of employment start date. Travel as needed to meet with county APS programs, participate in events in the community, or attend conferences Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must: Disclose that information on the application. Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position. Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination, and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS. About Us & Benefits If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, join the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high‑quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well‑being of the people of Colorado. Each of us is committed to contributing to a safe and accessible CDHS. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer: Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus 401(k) and 457 plans Medical and dental health plans Employer‑supplemented Health Savings Account Paid life insurance Short‑and long‑term disability coverage 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave State of Colorado Employee BenefitHub Resource Center Employee Wellness program Excellent work‑life programs, such as flexible schedules, training, and more Remote work arrangements for eligible positions *Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Our Values We believe in a people‑first approach: We prioritize the needs, well‑being, and dignity of the individuals, families, and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness, and access in every decision, policy, and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide. Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement. We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility for the state of health and human services in Colorado through our actions, programs, and results. Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, and the Coloradans we serve, and the public. We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy. Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans. ADA Accommodations CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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. This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre‑employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 View email address on click.appcast.io. EEO Statement The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer We are committed to increasing a “Colorado for ALL” of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a “Colorado for ALL” drives 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Colorado