Chronic Disease Health Information Specialist - Term-Limited

About the role

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), we protect Colorado’s health and environment by bringing public health and environmental protection together under one agency. Our work includes preventing disease and injury, responding to emergencies, reducing air pollution, protecting water quality, regulating health facilities, managing environmental hazards, performing advanced laboratory testing, providing vital records, and implementing health‑promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and partner with local agencies and community groups to meet the state’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. This position is term‑limited; funding cannot be guaranteed beyond September 30, 2031, and the incumbent must be willing to resign on that date or when funds run out, whichever comes first. The role is based at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246. Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion, based on business needs. The referral list generated by this announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies and may be extended.

Responsibilities

• Serve 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.
• Use EHRs and population health management software to identify opportunities to align CDPHE programs (Cardiovascular Health, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias) with HIT data systems, inform decision‑making, and connect clinical and community‑based services.
• Drive unit efforts to meet federal grant expectations related to data use, performance monitoring, and coordination across clinical and community‑based partners.
• Provide 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 statewide partners on the design, implementation, and strategic use of health information systems supporting chronic disease programs.
• Design and maintain a broad understanding of Colorado’s health IT ecosystem, including EHRs, health information exchange (HIE), social HIE (S‑HIE), community resource inventories, and other data systems used across clinical, external public health, internal public health, and community‑based settings.
• Advise CDPHE leadership on how these systems are used statewide and identify opportunities for improved alignment with chronic disease interventions; support effective use of data to inform public health action.
• At the division level, provide strategic direction to PSD programs by applying a chronic disease lens to statewide health IT and data modernization efforts through participation in governance structures, advisory groups, and cross‑sector initiatives.
• Consult and provide expert guidance on data use, interoperability, and system alignment to ensure chronic disease and population health priorities are considered in broader health IT strategies and Colorado’s health IT roadmap.
• Collaborate with evaluation and epidemiology partners in CHED to support data modernization: identify chronic disease program data needs, interpret data outputs, and lead development and use of data visualization tools that inform decision‑making and action.
• Serve as a connector among partners, helping identify relationships among systems, organizations, and efforts across the state; drive alignment and shared understanding across sectors without managing system integration or providing system‑specific technical instruction.
• Technical expertise as staff authority.
• Developing and maintaining partnerships.
• Project and contract management.

Qualifications

Applicants must be residents of the State of Colorado at the time of application.

Minimum qualifications (one of the following):

• 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 involve 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.
• A combination of related education (degree in public health, public health informatics, health informatics, health information management, epidemiology, health services administration, health care administration, population health, data science or analytics, health policy, or another closely related health or data‑focused field) and relevant experience in the areas listed above, together equivalent to seven (7) years. Relevant experience must meet the same criteria as above. If using education to qualify, a copy of transcripts (unofficial acceptable) or diploma must be submitted with the application.

Benefits

• 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.