Chronic Disease Health Information Specialist - Term-Limited Job at State of Colorado in Denver

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.

TERM LIMIT: This position is term limited and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond 9/30/2031. The incumbent in this position must be willing and able to resign on this date or when funds run out, whichever comes first. The referral list generated by this position announcement may be used to fill multiple position vacancies and may be extended. 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 Driver South, Denver, CO 80246. 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.

The Work Unit: The Prevention Services Division (PSD) is actively building a workforce reflective of the diverse communities we serve. The Division strives to understand the needs of Colorado’s communities and encourages contributions of stakeholders in identifying and solving public health problems. We are committed to providing a respectful, supportive, and inclusive work environment that demonstrates our commitment to accepting and respecting individuals from all communities. The Division is also committed to the professional development, collaborative effort, and sustained wellness of its workforce. The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Branch in the Prevention Services Division (PSD) reviews, plans, designs, implements, and evaluates public health interventions for chronic diseases and related risk factors to improve health related quality of life for all Coloradans. Particular emphasis is placed on evidence-based practices, data-driven and evidence informed decision-making, capacity building, partnerships, and the integration of program efforts to improve efficiency and effectiveness. The statewide chronic disease programs within the HPCDP Branch include Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention, Comprehensive Cancer Control, Colorectal Cancer Control, Diabetes Prevention and Management, Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias, Healthy Eating and Active Living, the Cancer, Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Disease Grants Program, and the Tobacco Education, Prevention and Cessation Grants Program. We are aware that many chronic diseases share the same systemic causes: tobacco use, lack of access to nutritious foods, built environments that support physical activity, social connectedness, and poverty and economic instability. These systemic injustices, along with additional risk and protective factors, are shared across many of the outcomes we address. Colorado for ALL means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity. This position is housed in the Diabetes, Cardiovascular Health and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias Unit (CarDiADRD Unit), which focuses on engaging with health systems, community-based organizations, and other partners to improve chronic disease outcomes for Coloradans. The unit also collaborates with internal programs, including those focused on cancer, healthy eating and active living, tobacco, informatics, among others, to support a comprehensive system of partnerships that address specific chronic disease needs in innovative and sustainable ways.

What You Will Do: This position serves as the department’s staff authority over Health Information Technology (HIT), HIT data systems, and statewide data infrastructure to improve chronic disease prevention, population health, and integration of clinical and community-based services leveraging HIT within CDPHE. This position uses data systems such as EHRs and population health management software to identify opportunities to align how CDPHE programs, including the Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, and Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (CarDiADRD) Unit engage with HIT data systems, and uses this data to consult and inform decision-making, and connect clinical and community-based services. Additionally, this includes driving unit efforts to meet federal grant expectations related to data use, performance monitoring, and coordination across clinical and community-based partners. The position provides expertise to Prevention Services Division leadership, the Center for Health and Environmental Data (CHED), Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI), Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), Regional Accountable Entities (RAEs), health systems, and other statewide partners regarding the design, implementation, and strategic use of health information systems supporting chronic disease programs. The position designs and maintains a broad understanding of Colorado’s health IT ecosystem, including electronic health records (EHRs), health information exchange (HIE), social health information exchange (S-HIE), community resource inventories, and other data systems used across clinical (local clinics and hospital systems), external public health systems (local public health agencies, OeHI and HCPF) and internal public health data systems (CHED and HSEB) and community-based settings. The position advises CDPHE leadership on how these systems are used across the state and identifies opportunities for improved alignment with chronic disease interventions, and supports the effective use of data to inform public health action. At the division level, the position provides strategic direction to PSD programs by bringing a chronic disease lens to statewide health IT and data modernization efforts through participation in governance structures, advisory groups, and cross-sector initiatives. The position consults and provides expert guidance during discussions on data use, interoperability, and system alignment, helping to ensure that chronic disease and population health priorities are considered in broader health IT strategies and in Colorado’s health IT roadmap. In collaboration with evaluation and epidemiology partners in the Center for Health and Environmental Data (CHED), this position supports data modernization efforts by identifying chronic disease program data needs, interpreting data outputs, and leading the development and use of data visualization tools that inform decision-making and action. The position does not lead or manage technical development but helps ensure that data and systems are meaningful and usable for public health purposes. This role also serves as a connector among partners, helping identify relationships among systems, organizations, and efforts across the state. The position drives alignment and shared understanding across sectors but does not manage system integration or provide system-specific technical instruction.

Key Responsibilities: Technical Expertise as Staff Authority Developing and Maintaining Partnerships Project and Contract Management Residency Requirement: This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application. Class Code & Classification Description: H1S4XX Public Health and Community Outreach Professional IV

NOTE: 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: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in public health, health care, health information technology, public health informatics, health data systems, population health, health care data analytics, or a closely related field. Relevant experience must include work involving the use, interpretation, strategic application, or alignment of health information technology or data systems to support public health, population health, health care delivery, care coordination, or chronic disease prevention and management.

Education and Experience: A combination of related education with a degree in public health, public health