Indoor Air Quality Comm & Outreach Spec - PHCOP III - Health Equity Branch.

Department Information This posting is only open to current residents of the State of Colorado. About CDPHE At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records, and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state. Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan. Important Information Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 8024 CDPHE Offers CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include: Medical and dental plans. Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan. 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. Description Of Job The Work Unit This position is within the Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Unit of the Health Equity Branch, within the Disease Control and Public Health Response (DCPHR) Division. The DCPHR Division is responsible for ensuring that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) and, more broadly, the State of Colorado has the ability to effectively prepare for, monitor, detect, diagnose, investigate, and nimbly respond to all types of conditions, events, and disasters that impact the public’s health. The DCPHR Division leads the planning, prevention, detection, testing, data management, analysis, investigation, mitigation, preparedness, and response to communicable diseases and other acute health conditions. DCPHR’s Health Equity Branch exists to expand and promote equitable access to opportunities and resources that impact an individual’s or community’s health and wellbeing. The Branch partners with community-based organizations, healthcare entities, and local public health agencies in Colorado by promoting health equity and implementing strategies tailored to address the varying complex causes of health disparities. The Branch works collaboratively to set strategic priorities, collect and disseminate data, identify and implement effective strategies, and align resources within the division and across the department and other state agencies. The Health Equity Branch includes an Occupational Health and Industrial Hygiene Unit. This Unit consists of several lines of work focused around tasks of providing support and prevention for workforces impacted by various exposure and health concerns. The Unit is driven by a foundational understanding that work is a social determinant of health and that there are a number of intersectionalities between what people do for work and health equity. Supporting workers in ensuring a healthy work environment is an integral part of CDPHE’s mission to advance Coloradoan’s health and protect the places where we live, work, and play. The Indoor Air Quality Team serves to support the general public in understanding how building ventilation, HVAC operations, and other building management decisions can impact indoor air quality and the connection between indoor air quality and health, as well as what can be done to improve indoor air quality in workplaces, schools, community-use buildings, congregate housing settings, and other public indoor settings. The team consists of subject matter experts in the field of environmental health, air pollution, building science/facilities management and operations, and emergency planning and response. The work focuses on protecting public health through education, outreach, and research-to-action programs that focus on the area of how poor indoor air quality contributes to poor health outcomes, and how improvements to indoor air quality can be made to improve health outcomes and reduce risks. DCPHR, and the Health Equity Branch, operate on the belief that all people (no matter their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, education level, age, language, religion, ability or geographic location) should have the opportunity to live healthy lives. What You Will Do The Indoor Air Quality Program’s Communication & Outreach Specialist position exists to implement work under the Indoor Air Quality Team. In general, this Program’s work involves assisting communities and partners – with a focus on vulnerable and/or high risk populations - in understanding indoor air quality within workplaces, schools, and community-use buildings. This includes topics of sources of indoor air pollution, how indoor air quality impacts occupant health, how to assess or evaluate the status of indoor air quality in a building, and steps to improve indoor air quality or maintain healthy indoor spaces. While the position focuses on community-based outreach, engagement, and public communications, so requires expertise in these topic areas, the position must apply those skills to areas related to environmental health, indoor air quality, and wildfire smoke. The position therefore requires understanding of risk factors contributing to disparities in health outcomes, specifically related to indoor air quality, ventilation, and built environments, and technical expertise and a deep scientific understanding of sources and measurements of indoor pollutants, as well as how indoor air quality impacts occupant health and workplace safety and wellbeing. This position requires the ability to communicate technical and scientific findings in terms that the general public can understand and readily act upon. In addition to the technical subject matter expertise just described, the position also requires skills in general project implementation, including: planning; time and task management; the ability to manage multiple concurrent work streams and deadlines; effectively communication of ideas and work progress to team members across different levels; customer-service oriented communications with stakeholders for outreach and engagement; and a high level of professional written communication skills for generating publicly accessible reports. This position focuses to implement the “Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings” Program, which is an EPA grant funded initiative that provides outreach, education, and training for local community partners on responding to wildfire smoke and its impacts on community health. Should additional funding be secured to maintain this position after the end of the Wildfire Smoke Preparedness Program, this position would continue to serve other programs to provide guidance and maintain clean indoor air for indoor spaces around Colorado. Key Responsibilities Takes the lead role in developing content for newsletters, educational topic flyers, and technical support guidance documents and presentations. Drafts original content and/or uses resources from other agencies as examples, adapting to fit specific communities or partners. Develops and distributes effective outreach and marketing materials to increase program awareness and participation with a variety of potential school and community partners. Develops a cohesive curriculum for educational webinars and workshops that address different areas of technical support to stakeholders in indoor air quality, building management, wildfire smoke preparedness, and other related topics. Generates presentations, worksheets, templates, etc. to be shared with external partners. Regularly identifies and reviews current and relevant guidance and research published by other agencies, organizations, and research institutions. Effectively translates technical content from outside organizations (such as ASHRAE specific doc, EPA wildfire guide) into publicly accessible educational materials and actionable guidance relevant to local partners. This position helps identify, establish, and maintain partnerships with both external partners (including LPHAs or other local government representatives, school representatives, community based organizations, university partners, business owners/managers, and others) and internal partners (e.g., CDPHE employees in Air Pollution Control Division, Environmental Health & Sustainability Division, or other state agency partners). Coordinates and/or participates in content area working groups and partner meetings on a regular basis, to discuss our program and its expertise and support offerings, and collaborate or assist partners in reaching their goals related to indoor air quality, wildfire smoke preparedness, and healthy indoor environments for community and school members. Facilitates and manages the development of our program’s suite of outreach activities and education opportunities for partners. Applies expertise in effectively communicating advice and assistance related to complex public health issues around indoor air quality, wildfire smoke, other air pollution issues, and related emergency preparedness, to stakeholders representing a variety of perspectives and interests. Applies communication with an understanding of the appropriate cultural, social, and political frameworks, as well as the ethical/legal issues related to the state and nationally. Maintains regular communication with partners on program updates, offerings, and services. Develops content and guidance for emergency planning and preparedness for community partners, related to air pollution and air quality events. Facilitates individual and group consultation meetings to support partner preparedness and planning efforts for air pollution events that impact indoor air quality in community buildings (e.g., wildfire smoke events). Provide support to community and school partners conducting emergency planning and preparedness tasks, on how to incorporate actions related to air pollution events that impact indoor air quality in community buildings (e.g., wildfire smoke events). Identify and engage with key community and school partners to advance preparedness efforts related to indoor air quality in school and community buildings during air pollution events (e.g., wildfire smoke events). Residency Requirement This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights Class Code & Classification Description H1S3XX Public Health & Community Outreach Professional III Experience Only Minimum Qualifications: Six (6) years of relevant experience in communications or educational content development, and community outreach applied to environmental health topics such as air quality and wildfire smoke or in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position. Or Education And Experience A combination of related education in communications or environmental health, public health and/or relevant experience in in communications or educational content development, and community outreach applied to environmental health topics such as air quality and wildfire smoke, or in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position equal to six (6) years **You must substantiate that you meet the minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application not moving forward in the hiring process. “See resume” will not be accepted. Resumes are considered supplemental information and are not considered in the initial evaluation. In addition, part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.** Preferred Qualifications Relevant experience with the State of Colorado Knowledge of, and experience working with, Purple Air monitors. Knowledge of, and experience working with, community partners related to wildfire smoke exposures and building management best practices for indoor air quality. Experience conducting qualitative data projects. Knowledge of, and experience with, designing public communications for wildfire smoke exposures and health. Technical scientific knowledge related to indoor air quality. Conditions Of Employment Residency Requirement Options: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process. This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations. Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place. Appeal Rights As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: View phone number on click.appcast.io. Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io. Email address: View email address on click.appcast.io. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov . Supplemental Information A Complete Application Packet Must Include Completed State of Colorado application. If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be provided with application. Transcripts must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 must be attached to your colorado.gov/jobs application. The Selection Process All applications that are received by the closing of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process. Part of, or all of, the comparative analysis for this position may be a structured application review, which involves a review of the information you submit in your application materials by Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) against the preferred qualifications. A top group, up to six candidates, will be invited to schedule an interview with the hiring manager. CDPHE does not provide visa sponsorship at this time. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. 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 View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io, option 5. #J-18808-Ljbffr Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment