Job Description

Department Information

Who We Are

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission

The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect

CDA Wildly Important Goals

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four “wildly important goals:”

• Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access
• Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture
• Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
• Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website .

What You Get From Us

In addition to a great work 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 optional 401(k) and 457 plans (
• Medical and dental health plans ( )
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

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.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: .

Description Of Job

Organizational Purpose:

Communications Work Unit duties include direct interaction and service to the public, media, industry groups, and CDA staff. Work involves maintaining the CDA website and general information email account, social media management, public relations, promotions, educational and marketing projects, photography, video, and graphic design production. Work involves collecting, coordinating, and preparing information, including CORA responses, to release to news media, the agency, the public, and other entities. This includes but is not limited to drafting and distributing news releases, creating social media posts, developing, and distributing regular and special internal and external communications, and creating graphic designs. This work unit collaborates with existing Communications staff to better support their workload and identify areas for current and future process improvement.

Major Objectives Of The Position

The Deputy Communications and Outreach Director drafts communications and messaging for internal and external audiences, ensuring other outreach and communications materials convey the proper message and are tailored to the audience they will serve. The position provides back up to the PIO in the absence of the Communications Director/PIO by providing official responses to the public, media, stakeholders and other state agencies. This position also develops and implements CDA’s community and stakeholder engagement strategy and develops an applicable and comprehensive suite of communications materials that meet outreach goals for the department. This position sets strategic outreach goals for the Commissioner’s Office and supports and guides strategic outreach plan creation for other divisions and programs.

The functions of this position include, but are not limited to, working with multiple inter-agency and organization partners to plan and facilitate community events, field tours, and conferences to strengthen relationships, identify gaps and opportunities, support statewide interagency goals, and communicate and facilitate opportunities for outreach and engagement across diverse communities to staff in the Commissioner’s Office, Regional Assistant Commissioners, Agricultural Commission members, senior management, and others as needed.

This position acts as point of contact and as the event facilitator for the Commissioner, and is responsible for communicating with participants, speakers, and planning partners to clarify expectations and responsibilities.

This position understands and implements the OIT requirements for digital accessibility as appropriate for the role.

Primary Duties

Deputy Communications Director

This position will be responsible for developing various messaging and outreach campaigns for the Commissioner’s Office and will serve as the backup Public Information Officer.

• In close coordination with the Communications team, implement agency communication and stakeholder strategies.
• Research additional avenues for the department's mission to reach public and stakeholder groups (community groups, schools, public events, etc.).
• Create, research, and edit or draft department messages, presentations, talking points and speeches.
• Keep current with marketing and communication trends in order to identify new outlets and services.
• Work closely with the Communications team to advance statewide promotional and educational campaigns to advance agriculture and food systems in Colorado.
• Research, design, write, edit, and/or proofread department documents and publications to be distributed to our stakeholders.
• Work with department staff to respond to media articles at the direction of the Communications Director to ensure accurate information about the Department is shared.
• Coordinate with other state agencies, the Governor's Office, and other state departments of agriculture when necessary.
• Manage general CDA information mailbox ( cda_info@state.co.us ) on a daily basis.
• Respond to general information inquiries about agency activities in a timely and professional fashion.
• Write drafts, proofread, and edit communications materials, and help draft informational or promotional press releases as needed.
• As needed, the position will drive to events independently, load and unload materials, set up displays, clean and dust displays, maintain a safe and organized environment, and serve as the lead CDA resource for event attendees.
• Aid in the dissemination of information to employees, which may include emergency alert systems, employee newsletters, employee emails, tracking responses, assisting in training programs or attending employee meetings.
• Responsible for acting as CDA’s general Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) liaison and Custodian of Records and providing support to other departmental CORA liaisons. This includes tracking, responding to, and following up with CORA requests on a wide range of potential issues, working with Business Operations to facilitate payments if needed, keeping the Commissioner updated on potential impacts beyond the department, and staying in contact with the Attorney General’s office staff for legal counsel.

Deputy Public Information Officer (PIO)

This position serves as the deputy PIO and represents the PIO on any decision or actions needed to be taken by the Communications work unit.

• Help maintain media, stakeholder, and industry mailing list for newsletters and press releases.
• Serve as backup Department contact for media inquiries and news.
• Assist media in learning more about Colorado agriculture including answering questions, providing information during events, and developing interview opportunities.
• Work with Department staff to respond to media articles and requests as necessary to provide relevant and accurate information to the public and the media.
• Write and distribute media releases.
• Research information and work with other staff to gather information for distribution.
• Communicate with the Governor's Office, other state agencies, and other state Departments of Agriculture when necessary.
• May lead crisis comms (see below) when serving as Backup PIO.
• May lead crisis communications (see below) when serving as Deputy PIO.
• May lead Colorado State Fair communications when serving as Deputy PIO.

Agricultural Community Outreach and Engagement

This position is responsible for organizing, assisting, and executing outreach activities in the Commissioner’s Office and as needed with divisions.

• Build and strengthen relationships across the state through targeted outreach in close collaboration with CDA leadership.
• Act as CDA Primary Point of Contact to organize and host field and community events for the Commissioner.
• Strategize and work closely with the Director of Communications on crafting appropriate messaging and materials to guide and support division and programmatic outreach and communications efforts.
• Work closely and regularly with division directors to develop and update outreach plans for programs, large grant projects, new initiatives, and other projects as needed.
• Work with Business Operations to maintain an operational budget for the Outreach Unit; responsible for managing work to the annual budget.
• Guide and support community engagement plans across all divisions.
• Implement CDA strategic plan and departmental goals related to community outreach and engagement through collaboration with senior staff and executive team.
• Support Digital Media Specialist’s outreach, planning and training efforts to work with underrepresented and bilingual communities.
• Work with the Commissioner’s executive assistant to coordinate field tours and activities that advance the agency’s goals and community engagement plan.
• Identify and develop spokespeople and partners who advance the work of the Department and strengthen the voice of agriculture across the state.
• Develop talking points and presentation materials for events and listening sessions where a member of the executive team or a division director is speaking.
• Serve as point of contact with Commissioners’ Office to other agencies and partners to identify mutual engagement opportunities to elevate discussions and promote collaborations.
• Organize CDA’s annual legislative river trip, should the trip be feasible and practicable.
• Serve as CDA’s Tribal Liaison.

Crisis Communication Support

Crisis Communication Refers To Not Only Emergencies Such As Natural Disasters, But Also To Negative Media And Situations That Could Damage The Public's Perception Of The Department. This Position Addresses Inquiries Related To The State’s Emergency Responses, Identifies Ways To Promote Initiatives Publicly, And Assists Other Personnel With Incident Communications As Needed. This Position Supports The PIO In Managing Proactive And Reactive Media Relations For Crisis Communication Response, Including

• Support in executing crisis communication plans during times of emergency with a focus on community engagement.
• Engage as part of CDA’s Incident Command System.
• Research and write appropriate messages targeting specific audiences.
• Secure translation and interpretation when necessary to ensure messages reach target audiences.
• Train appropriate staff for interviews.
• Assist the public with follow-up questions.
• Coordinate with federal partners, other states, industry, agencies, organizations, or divisions if necessary to create communication plans related to the crisis or incident.
• Distribute appropriate information to defend and uphold the agency's mission.
• Understand and be able to participate in crisis communication systems used by the Office of Emergency Management such as the Joint Information Center (JIC).
• Represent CDA in the state Joint Information Center (JIC) and in other emergency response structures; lead JIC work as necessary
• Work with CDA staff to coordinate communication of recovery resources to stakeholders.
• Coordinate with subject matter experts to draft and revise talking points and messaging.
• Responsible for development of content and outreach for emergency information for both CDA staff and external stakeholders.
• This position must decide how to prioritize requests and responses in a timely manner.
• Apply professional judgment and best practices to determine the techniques and methods used to produce public and stakeholder information.
• In collaboration with CDA staff, other state agencies, the Governor’s office and the JIC, develops written media responses to public comments and/or media inquiries based on appropriate Department and/or division policies and information.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Please Note - As of August 27, 2025, a hiring freeze is in effect for the Colorado Executive Branch. Any positions that are posted after August 26, 2025, have been either exempted from the hiring freeze or have been approved for a waiver and the hiring process may proceed. Exempted positions include those that are critical to protecting the health, life and safety of Coloradans. Please contact CDA human resources with any questions about a (or "this" if tied to an announcement) specific job posting

The Marketing & Communications Specialist IV is considered a hybrid position and is eligible for work home and flexible work arrangements. The home location for this position is 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield CO 80022, but the home location may be anywhere in the State of Colorado.

Marketing & Communication Specialist class descriptions are available online

Salary

Biweekly

$2,751.69 - $2,889.23

Annually

$71,544.00 - $75,120.00

Minimum Qualification: Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills

• Seven (7) years of experience in community engagement relations, public relations campaign management, project management, community organizing or other related areas. Communication and public relations experience must include working with rural communities and diverse populations.

OR

Education And Experience

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in community engagement relations, public relations campaign management, project management, community organizing or other related areas. Communication and public relations experience must include working with rural communities and diverse populations.

(Related education and experience must be in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field to the position)

Preferred Qualifications

• One year of experience building relationships and working with Colorado rural communities and/or Colorado Agriculture industry.
• Experience living in a rural or agricultural community.
• Experience drafting strategic communications and outreach plans.
• Understanding of accessibility principles and guidelines.
• Experience in emergency communications or work with a Joint Information Center (JIC).

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel.
• Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular business hours.
• Must be able to load and unload materials, set up displays. This often includes heavy lifting and outdoor venues.
• Must be willing meet the expected travel schedule, as listed above, with some overnight travel for several days at a time often on relatively short notice.
• Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular business hours.

Required Competencies (Knowledge, Skills And Abilities)

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Knowledge of emergency communications.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems and processes and collaborate with and engage others.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented.
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.
• Work well under pressure.
• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.
• Experience in and/or working with diverse constituencies, rural stakeholders, and communities of color desired.
• Experience working with the media and a proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with media, stakeholders and industry experts.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.
• Additional language skills desired but not required.

Important Information:

Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Please Submit The Following

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application ( Download PDF reader ). Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

Factors That Will Be Assessed

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ( dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us ), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

Important Information: Part of, or the entire exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself . Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

All applications that are received by the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may 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.

ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

The Department of Agriculture 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 Mary Hunt, at mary.hunt@state.co.us or call 303-869-9006.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.

E-Verify

CDA 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.

Toll–Free Applicant Support - Technical Help

If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV at 855-524-5627, Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). The Human Resources Office will be unable to assist with technical issues.

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Work from home, Flexible hours, Night shift,

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