Chief Legal Officer - SES

Job Title

Strategic Liaison and Coordination Lead

Job Description

This position serves as the strategic liaison and coordination lead between the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and the Office of the Attorney General (AGO), ensuring a consistent and effective approach to legal matters, litigation strategy, and related policy and programmatic implications across the Department. Reporting to the Deputy Executive Director of Operations & Strategy, the position oversees the Organizational Performance & Compliance (OP&C) work unit and provides centralized oversight of litigation coordination, legal services support, litigation holds, and engagement with the AGO. The role supports CDHS executive leadership, offices, and divisions by coordinating responses to legal and regulatory matters, reviewing legislation and contracts, managing legal services resources and budget needs, and promoting consistent compliance, risk management, and operational alignment throughout the Department. Additionally, the position oversees the Department's litigation hold process, assists in evaluating litigation and settlement decisions, and helps ensure CDHS programs receive the legal and operational support necessary to advance the agency's mission and strategic objectives.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Education and Experience: Juris Doctorate (JD) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school with current admission to the Colorado Bar as an attorney in good standing and a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience, which included:

• A minimum of five (5) years of experience serving as a licensed attorney.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in a formal supervisory role overseeing a large group of individuals.
• Professional public or business administration experience that demonstrates proficiency in the following areas:
• Establishing and managing organizational structures.
• Developing and implementing strategic work plans.
• Budget development and financial control.
• Setting organizational goals and objectives to achieve program results.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Preference will be given to candidates with greater depth and breadth of experience than listed in the minimum qualifications.
• Human services or healthcare administration experience.
• Experience advising a Government, State agency, or other legislative/advisory board. Advocacy, settlement, procurement, and contract experience.
• Management experience coordinating and managing systems/organizations in a complex environment.
• Experience advising a Government, State agency, or other legislative/advisory board, including work as general counsel for any of the above or in the private legal sector.
• Experience advising elected or appointed officials.
• Experience working directly with executive leadership in a government organization.
• Expertise in employment law and civil litigation, with specific experience in legal matters supporting CDHS services, including public assistance benefits, child welfare, and aging/adult protective services. Preference for experience supervising mid-level supervisors.
• Proven experience in directing and leading mid-level managers.

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard background check and reference check required.
• This position requires State of Colorado 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.
• Position requires travel, sometimes over multiple days, to perform job duties.
• 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.