Federal Implementation Communications Strategist - Term Limited

Federal Implementation Communications Strategist

Salary: $71,544.00 - $93,012.00 Annually

Location: Denver Metro, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: UHA05784

Opening Date: 02/23/2026

Closing Date: 3/5/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Primary Physical Work Address: 303 E 17th Ave Denver, CO 80203

Department Contact Information: Jessica Bosick, Talent Acquisition Specialist jessica.bosick@state.co.us

How To Apply: Please submit an online application for this position at www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

About The Role

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. The Department of Health Care Policy & Financing (HCPF) oversees and operates Health First Colorado (Colorado's Medicaid Program), Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+), and other state public health programs for qualified Coloradans. Our mission is to improve health care equity, access and outcomes for the people we serve while saving Coloradans money on health care and driving value for Colorado.

Benefits

As part of the State of Colorado, HCPF offers a competitive benefits package:

• PERA retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan, PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus 401K and 457 plans
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance coverage
• Automatic Short-Term and Optional Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
• Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) job protection and State of Colorado Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML)
• 11 Paid Holidays Annually and Accrued Annual and Sick Leave
• Accrued Sick Leave for State of Colorado Temporary Employees
• Flexplace and Flextime work arrangements
• Variety of discounts on services and products available through the State of Colorado's Work-Life Employment Discount Program
• Free RTD EcoPass to all eligible State Employees
• Credit Union of Colorado Membership Eligibility
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Description Of Job

The Federal Implementation Communications Strategist position is the Staff Authority for the external communications strategy regarding implementation of the coverage and eligibility provisions of HR 1. This position develops and executes the HR 1 external communications plan and all related tactics, including:

• Leads content development for webinar series, media inquiries, presentations, websites, and other stakeholder-facing mediums
• Coordinates with the Stakeholder Engagement team to develop content strategies for specific engagements
• Owns the content and editing of the HR1 Implementation newsletter content
• Coordinates FAQs across the department to ensure consistent responses and information sharing to internal and external parties
• Collaborates with HCPF Public Information Officer to respond to media inquiries
• Oversees development of contracted communications deliverables

Minimum Qualifications

There are two ways to qualify for this position:

• Option 1: Experience Only: Six (6) years of experience in communications experience including communication planning and execution of communication or marketing plans
• OR Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, Business, Health Care Administration, Public Health, Public Policy, Public Administration, or closely related field of study related to the work assignment. AND Two years of professional communications experience including communication planning and execution of communication or marketing plans
• Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous relevant State of Colorado experience, excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally. Experience developing presentation materials including slide decks, talking points, and basic visuals. Experience managing contracts and directing production of deliverables by vendors. Fluency in Gmail and Google Applications, and the ability to quickly learn other software systems. Demonstrated success partnering with public and private organizations, special interest groups, elected and appointed officials, in situations that may be politically sensitive. Excellent reasoning, investigative, analytical, and problem-solving ability. Effective communication style and interpersonal skills that incorporate consensus building and participative decision making. Corporate Communications, Public Affairs, Government Relations. Experience with the media or journalism.

Conditions Of Employment

All positions at HCPF are security sensitive positions and require that the individuals undergo a criminal record background check as a condition of employment. Employees who have been disciplinary terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application. This is a term-limited position with funding through 12/31/2028. Successful candidates will sign a Waiver of Retention Rights and normal personnel rules regarding retention will not apply.

How To Apply

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered. Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below. In order to be considered for this position, you must submit a writing sample and an example of a communication plan. Comparative analysis process The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email. Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.

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 Department of Health Care Policy & Financing 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, Anupreet Kaur, at anupreet.kaur@state.co.us.