Department Information

We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Our tobacco-free campus offers free parking and is conveniently located near RTD bus lines, Glendale City Set, and the Cherry Creek bike path. In addition to a great location and rewarding, meaningful work, we offer:

• Employee wellness programs and facilities
• Extensive internal professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects
• Bike to work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks
• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State system
• Strong, yet flexible retirement benefits including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off
• Mentoring program with opportunities for mentors and mentees
• Tuition assistance for college level courses including Master’s degree programs
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and a variety of employee resource groups

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

Description of Job

The Work Unit:
The Data Innovations Unit within the Office of Innovations in Planning (OIP) assists the Air Pollution and Control Division (APCD) in the development and implementation of regulations and other program elements by evaluating data needs and then gathering, analyzing, and disseminating data and information to inform and evaluate strategies for reducing air pollution. The Unit engages with research projects, monitors publicly available emissions data, and stays abreast of technological advances in monitoring air pollution. This Unit works closely with the Policy Innovations Unit to understand and inform policy decisions based on scientifically sound and innovative data. To ensure cohesion with existing regulatory initiatives and implementation feasibility of regulatory changes, this Unit collaborates with various other units and programs within the Air Pollution Control Division (the Division). Additionally, it engages directly with a wide range of stakeholders, including the public, community representatives, industry representatives, non-governmental organizations, academic and research institutions, the Air Quality Control Commission, legislative bodies, other divisions and programs within CDPHE, as well as state and federal agencies such as the Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission, the Colorado Energy Office, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

What you will be doing
This position is located within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Air Pollution Control Division’s (APCD) Office of Innovations in Planning (OIP) Data Innovations Unit. This position exists to support the analysis, interpretation and reconciliation of compiled data from regulatory required air emissions inventory reports and the aerial and ground based monitoring field campaign efforts for methane and other pollutants. This position also supports the enhancement and development of data system infrastructure in use by the division in order to create seamless access and integration of data from both monitored and reported sources. This involves evaluating and integrating measurement data collected across multiple technology platforms and spatiotemporal scales. This position will integrate ancillary data from public repositories and existing division databases to supplement the data collected from campaigns funded by the APCD. This position serves to improve the division’s understanding of emissions variability through time and from different sectors (e.g. oil and gas, agriculture, waste, and coal mines) within the state of Colorado. Alongside efforts from other staff in OIP, this position serves to help the division generate a cohesive empirical understanding of methane and other pollutant emissions within the state of Colorado. This position coordinates with other units in the division including the Technical Services Program (TSP), Air Toxics and Ozone Precursors Section (ATOPS), and the Oil and Gas Program (OGP) as well as the Regulatory Affairs Climate Change Program and Policy and Planning units.

Job Duties:
Technical and Scientific Expertise
This position supports the Data Innovation work unit in performing inventory data evaluation, modeling and research support, and other technical work as needed by the unit. This position helps the work unit research how operations and activities in different sectors contribute to air emissions and how best to mitigate those sources of air pollution through the development of scientifically robust policy and ongoing monitoring programs.

Data System Infrastructure Development
This position assists the team’s database manager in the overall data architecture for OIP, including collecting, validating, and storing the data currently collected by OIP through the Oil and Natural Gas Annual Emission Inventory Reporting (ONGAEIR) system and aerial and ground based monitoring campaigns. This position assists the work unit in evaluating and implementing best practices for collecting, validating, and storing data. This position provides oversight regarding annual updates of the data collection system, including updated reporting forms, database updates, and data collection processes. This position tests and validates that data collection processes work as intended.

Support Policy Development and Methods Implementation
This position engages with internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement data supported methodology and procedures in response to new regulations and policies. The position also supports various internal work units in developing compliance and inspection procedures related to monitoring campaigns.

Other Duties as Assigned
Attends meetings, serves on task forces or teams, completes projects, and performs other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
An applicant may meet the minimum qualifications for this job in one of two ways: They may qualify through their work experience alone or through a combination of education and work experience.
Experience Only:
OR

Education and Experience:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience:

• Experience performing numerical and geospatial analyses
• Familiarity with scientific literature and academic research processes
• Understanding of baesian and frequentist statistical methods, and propagation of uncertainty
• Working knowledge in scientific programming languages (e.g. Python, R, Matlab)
• Understanding of querying relational databases and basic SQL-like syntax
• Proficiency in version control and archival processes
• Knowledge of methane emissions processes from industrial sectors (e.g. Oil and Gas, Landfills, Coal Mining)
• Ability to work independently on projects while knowing when to reach out for assistance
• Experience in air quality policy and regulation

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• A pre-employment background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
• TRAVEL: 1-4 times a year, to attend external stakeholder meetings and/or travel to conferences. Occasional overnights may occur for conferences and training, travel to meet with stakeholders or academic partners.

Supplemental Information

A complete application packet must include:

• A completed State of Colorado application.
• Answered supplemental questions.
• If using education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) must be provided with application.
• If using work experience to qualify for this position, please provide an adequate description in the work experience section of the application. Do not write "see resume".
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214 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.

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.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States to be appointed to this position. CDPHE does not sponsor non-residents of the United States.

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 cdphe.humanresources@state.co.us or call 303-692-2060, option 5.