Chief Information Officer

Chief Information Officer

Salary : $150,000.00 - $200,000.00 Annually

Location : Denver Metro, CO

Job Type : Full Time

Job Number : VAA00008_11.2025

Department : Department of State

Division : Information Technology Division

Opening Date : 11 / 17 / 2025

Closing Date : 12 / 1 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Mountain

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

Primary Physical Work Address : 1700 Broadway, Denver, CO 80290, USA

Department Contact Information : applications@coloradosos.gov; 303.894.2200

Salary Note : Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Type of Announcement : This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply : Online applications through the Colorado Jobs portal will not be accepted. Please follow instructions on the job announcement for submitting an application.

Description : The Colorado Department of State seeks applications from highly qualified candidates for the position of Chief Information Officer. This position is in the Senior Executive Service (SES), a performance-based pay plan reserved for senior-level management positions.

SERVICE. INNOVATION. INTEGRITY. EXCELLENCE. INCLUSION.

Are you looking for a career that allows you to improve your world and the world around you? The Colorado Department of State (CDOS) is seeking diverse individuals from all backgrounds to apply for a position that makes a direct impact on enhancing the lives of Coloradans.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference through the work you do each day, consider joining the dedicated employees of the Colorado Department of State. Whether working from your home or collaborating onsite, your professional experience will be connected and meaningful. In addition to a great location and fulfilling, impactful work, we offer :

Employee wellness programs and an on-site fitness center

12 paid holidays per year plus generous personal time off and sick leave

Access to a diverse array of technical, leadership and supervisory training opportunities

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

Automatic short-term (and optional long-term) disability coverage

Excellent work-life balance through flex schedules, flexplace / remote work, and ad-hoc arrangements

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

Our Culture & Environment :

Coloradans come from all walks of life and so do we.

Who We Are

Our mission is to make government easy and accessible for people to further democracy, support economic opportunity for all Coloradans, and demonstrate a standard of integrity and excellence. Our vision is to ensure all Coloradans have a voice in our future, help Coloradans and their businesses thrive, and be the best at what we do.

What We Believe

The State of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer. At the Colorado Department of State, we are dedicated to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We are committed to building work environments that are inclusive and reflect our communities and the diverse talents of all people. We highly encourage people from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply.

Our agency website : Colorado Secretary of State's Office https : / / www.coloradosos.gov /

Information Technology (IT) Division

Provides information systems and computer support for employees, customers of the Department of State, and therefore the people of Colorado. Much of the work completed by the division can be done remotely, contributing to the positive work-life balance of its employees. The Colorado Department of State is unique from many state agencies in that we are a smaller agency with an in-house IT division, as a result our employees maintain greater collective impact over the work product of the Department.

The Chief Information Officer leads the Information Technology (IT) Division for the Colorado Department of State (CDOS), overseeing all technology operations, systems, and cybersecurity initiatives that support both Department staff and the citizens of Colorado. This executive role provides strategic direction, leadership, and management of the Department's enterprise technology environment, ensuring efficiency, innovation, and security across all IT functions.

The CIO oversees a full-service in-house IT Division responsible for managing network and server infrastructure, desktop and enterprise systems, cloud platforms, software applications, and data services. The division ensures system reliability and aligns all operations with the Department's mission and statutory responsibilities.

The CIO and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) ensure cybersecurity principles of confidentiality, integrity, and availability are embedded across all systems. The IT Division maintains a robust cybersecurity program that includes a full staff supporting firewalls, web application security, network security, threat detection, systems hardening, vulnerability management, governance, training, penetration testing, and other essential cybersecurity services to not only the Department but also other government entities as appropriate.

Under the CIO's leadership, the Department develops and maintains secure, custom web applications using a DevSecOps approach and manages all supporting infrastructure, including web, application, and database environments. The Division also oversees core system and domain services, such as email, file, print, accounting, and communication systems, and ensures the secure processing, storage, and management of data for statewide programs including voter registration (SCORE), charitable gaming, UCC filings, business registration, notary, campaign finance, lobbyist reporting, and bingo and raffle systems.

As one of the few state agencies with a fully in-house IT Division, the Colorado Department of State provides a unique environment where technology leadership directly influences statewide services and supports multiple critical systems for the State of Colorado.

Illustration of Duties

The Chief Information Officer (herein after "position) is the head of the Information Technology division of the Colorado Department of State. The Division employs 43 people under the supervision of the CIO. Position directs and oversees all Division personnel and manages information systems including network, servers, workstations, software, cloud infrastructure, application development, and data services to support the Department, as well as the citizens of Colorado. In addition, the position ensures the cybersecurity tenets of confidentiality, integrity, and availability are integrated throughout the infrastructure.

This position is also responsible for the following :

Supervise Division personnel. This includes four senior positions (Deputy CIO, Senior Program Director, IT Infrastructure and Operations Manager, CISO) plus one Program Assistant I position, as well as supervising multiple units as a 2nd and 3rd level supervisor.

Initiate the hiring process, provide subject matter expertise to HR during the comparative analysis process, interview candidates, and hire. Recommend promotions and changes in pay, as well as sign personnel action forms.

Resolve problems, disputes, performance issues, and informal grievances and initiate corrective action or progressive discipline as needed. Provide feedback and coaching, write performance plans, and sign performance evaluations.

Assess importance and urgency of duties and activities to effectively deliver on commitments and minimize disruption to Department and division strategic planning.

Create the Division strategic plan, budget, and key initiatives in collaboration with Division senior staff as well as participate in the development of the Department's overall strategic plan, budget, and other key initiatives.

Develop, cultivate, and sustain relationships with federal, state, and local partner entities and individuals to support and enhance the reputation and capabilities of the Department.

Represent the Department in public and private forums with the highest level of professionalism.

Direct the implementation of policies, rules, and regulations, working to reduce inequities in policy development and implementation.

Provide regular updates, reports, briefings, and counsel on areas within the position's responsibility and accountability as requested by Department leadership to internal and external partners.

Position must maintain confidentiality of all sensitive and personal identifying information, personnel information, and any other confidential or proprietary information, as well as comply with all State and Department policies regarding professional conduct and professional practices.

Direct the preparation of an annual assessment of Department infrastructure and other technology assets.