Compliance Specialist III - Grievance Coordinator

Compliance Specialist III - Grievance Coordinator

Salary

$59,460.00 - $95,124.00 Annually

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

ILA 05852 09/17/2026

Department

Colorado Department of Human Services

Division

OBH (Office of Behavioral Health)

Opening Date

09/28/2026

Closing Date

10/12/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

710 S. Ash Street, Unit C140, Denver, CO 80246 - Hybrid working arrangements

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

Gerald.Barajas@state.co.us

Salary Note

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

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Please note: This recruitment may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

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Remote. Predominantly telework with a minimum of one in-person meeting a month. This is subject to change due to the BHA's need.

8-5 Monday through Friday

CDHSCareers

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

Description of Job

About this Unit:

This position is located within the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), which is responsible for policy development, service provision and coordination, program monitoring and evaluation, and administrative oversight for the public behavioral health system. The BHA funds, supports, and monitors numerous mental health and substance abuse community programs and providers; reviews and designates the State's 27-65 providers; and licenses substance use disorder service providers, Controlled Substance Licensing, Recovery Support Services Organizations, and Eating Disorder Recovery. The BHA executes the State's federal responsibilities as the State Mental Health Authority and the State Substance Abuse Authority for the purposes of administering federal mental health and substance abuse block grant funds.

Additionally, the BHA leads and promotes the State's behavioral health priorities, ensures that behavioral health services respond to communities changing needs, monitors State and local data, and continuously evaluates State efforts. In collaboration with other state agencies, the BHA is responsible for delivering behavioral health services in Colorado. It provides a streamlined, efficient approach to support quality care while minimizing the burden on providers, allowing them to focus on service delivery. The BHA is responsible for behavioral health policy development and effective collaboration with cross-sector partners working in and around the behavioral health system and along the continuum from prevention to treatment and recovery. The BHA works in partnership with State agencies to reduce bureaucracy and fragmentation.

This position sits within the Quality and Standards Division (Division) within BHA and reports directly to the Grievances and Enforcement Manager. The Division oversees the licensing and designation activities on behalf of the BHA and receives and investigates grievances submitted to the BHA through complaints and critical incident reporting.

This position has been designed and designated remote

About this Position:

This role is a fully operational professional and serves as a peer position to the other Division coordination staff at the Compliance Specialist III level. Operating independently, this position performs professional compliance work by determining compliance with laws, regulations, and quality standards administered by the state. This position will also be a key contributor to the unit's ongoing evolution of the processes for receiving, distributing, and ensuring completion of tracking for Critical Incident Reports (CIRs) and complaints/grievances submitted to BHA and the Quality and Standards Division. Provides customer service and technical support to complainants and CIR submitters. Provides support to CIR, complaint/grievance, investigation, and license audit processes, including, but not limited to, requesting records, collaborating with other coordination and Division staff, scheduling meetings, and assisting with written correspondence. Assists in gathering data to be included in reports and projects. This position is responsible for reviewing background check information for owners and managers of licensees and prospective licensees and providing support to the administration of the rule waiver process.

Program Coordination for Regulatory Enforcement/Oversight

This position operates independently to evaluate complaints/grievances and CIR and determine appropriate next steps. This includes gathering and analyzing complicated data on provider operations to determine compliance, identify deficiencies, and prepare corrective action plans. Additionally, the position provides technical assistance by interpreting and explaining guidelines to providers and the public to ensure programs operate properly. The position provides direct customer service to support these submissions and coordinates work to address these issues, both within the unit and within the Division.

This work includes the following tasks:

• Written and verbal communications with stakeholders, including but not limited to complainants, licensed agency staff, and staff from other state offices and agencies.
• This position will lead the process to ensure receipt of CIR submissions, work in cooperation with other coordination staff and licensing managers to ensure successful processing of CIRs and complaints, and ensure that any matters received that violate BHA rules are properly responded to in conjunction with the licensing team.
• This position ensures that complaints/grievances submitted via the complaint form, email, telephone, or any other means are recorded in the complaint tracking system and that the tracking is updated as complaint investigations progress to completion.
• This position provides support for complaint/grievance, CIR, investigation, and license audit processes, including, but not limited to, requesting records, connecting with other Division staff, scheduling meetings, preparing written correspondence, assisting with investigations, and participating in onsite audits.
• This work includes attendance and participation in meetings with the unit, Division, BHA staff, and external stakeholders.
• This position prepares information from tracking resources for inclusion in reports and projects completed or contributed by the unit.

Program Coordination for Background Checks and Waivers

This position provides direct assistance with owner/manager background check reviews and processing, and with the coordination of rule waiver submissions and reviews. This work includes the following tasks:

• Direct review of background check results for licensee owners/managers and update of the tracking spreadsheet.
• This position reaches out to CBI and communicates with owners/managers in the event that issues arise with the successful delivery of background results.
• This position will be available to provide technical assistance to licensed agencies with questions about background checks for personnel and owners/managers.
• This position will reach out to or coordinate with agency staff submitting rule waiver requests for additional information.
• This position assists in ensuring that rule waiver committee notes, rule waiver tracking, and communications regarding rule waiver outcomes are successfully completed in cooperation with other coordination staff.

Program Coordination Support Duties:

This position provides direct support to the unit's staff, who work to investigate and resolve issues arising from complaints/grievances, CIRs, and audits. This includes support in scheduling/attending site visits with providers and communicating with providers and licensing managers regarding logistical issues related to site visits or audit preparation. This position may exchange documentation and information ahead of scheduled audits, as required, to facilitate the unit staff and licensing managers' ability to effectively conduct record reviews prior to and during site visits. The position may provide support, in partnership with the program assistant, to the unit staff in making travel arrangements as needed. The position maintains a holistic view of upcoming audit dates to ensure timely scheduling. This position assists in providing CORA information specific to an agencys application process and in helping unit staff and Licensing Managers comply with CORA requirements. Supports the Ombudsman Liaison in administering the Child and Youth Mental Health Treatment Act third-party appeals.

Other Duties as Assigned

This position may be called upon to perform tasks or undertake special assignments or projects deemed necessary by BHA but not specifically referenced in the above duties. Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Option 1 (Minimum Qualifications)

• Six (6) years of experience in public or legislative policy, and/or complex regulatory experience. OR Six (6) years of experience working in behavioral health services. Any combination of this experience will also qualify.
• Please note: This experience must be clearly documented on your application and the supplemental questions must be answered.

Option 2 (Substitutions)

• Appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis
• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Public policy, regulatory, or compliance experience
• Knowledge of behavioral health services and regulations
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, specifically formal document production
• Ability to analyze complex topics and formulate policy recommendations
• Attention to detail
• Project Management skills - ability to breakdown long term projects into smaller timelines and tasks to ensure forward movement throughout the life of the project
• Customer service skills - working with diverse stakeholders who have competing interests
• Years of State Service

Conditions of Employment:

• [Standard/full]background check and reference check required

• This position requires State of Colorado residency at the time of application (unless otherwise identified in the posting), and residency within the state throughout the duration of employment in this position.

• Motor Vehicle Check , if the employee will drive a state-owned vehicle, either in an on-going capacity while performing their normal day-to-day job duties OR on occasion for training/meetings/client visits/etc.

• Must possess a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License or an non-restricted U.S. Drivers License for positions within 30 miles of the CO state border

• Out-of-State Driver's License holders must obtain a valid, non-restricted Colorado Driver's License within 30 days of employment start date.

• Other Conditions of Employment specific to Program

• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must:

• Disclose that information on the application.

• Explain why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify you from the current position.

• Provide your employee number from your prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights

You may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director if your application is eliminated. You will find the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it on the State Personnel Board website.

• You or your representative must sign and submit the official appeal form for review.

• You can find the official appeal form here.

• You must deliver the official appeal form to the State Personnel Board:

• By email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), or

• Postmarked in US Mail to(1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203, 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.

Contact the State Personnel Board for assistance:

• At (303) 866-3300, or

• Refer to the Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, within the Rules webpage.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

Our Values

• We believe in a people-first approach: We prioritize the needs, well-being, and dignity of the individuals, families and communities we serve. We commit to respect, fairness and access in every decision, policy and interaction. We engage client voices and experiences in the development and implementation of the services we provide.

• Balance creates quality of life: We want our team to be resilient through a supportive workplace that values flexibility, health and wellness, and employee engagement.

• We hold ourselves accountable: We take responsibility through our actions, programs, and results for the state of health and human services in Colorado.

• Transparency matters: We are open and honest with employees, our partners, the Coloradans we serve, and the public.

• We are ethical: We abide by what is best for those we serve by doing what is right, not what is easy.

• Collaboration helps us rise together: We work together with all partners, employees, and clients to achieve the best outcomes for Coloradans.

ADA Accommodations

CDHS is committed to a Colorado for 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.

This includes completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing 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 cdhs_ada@state.co.us.

EEO Statement

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer

We are committed to increasing a "Colorado for ALL" of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of all backgrounds and abilities. The State of Colorado believes that a "Colorado for ALL" drives 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.

Additional Support For Your Application

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 1) ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and 2) close the document before you attempt to upload (attach) it.

About Us:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great 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 www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program MotivateMe
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

~THE STATE OF COLORADO IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER~

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Your legal name is used in the hiring process for background checks. Did you use your full legal name in your application? If not please update your information before submitting your application.

• Yes
• No

02

The bottom of this job announcement provides links to additional information on how to apply, the assessment process, toll free applicant technical support, and about how the State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. Please acknowledge below that you have read the information provided in these links.

• This information is available to me and I have read this information.
• I am unable to access the links with this information on the job posting. (If you select this option, please contact the recruiter, whose information is listed on this announcement, so that they can send this information directly to you.)

03

Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose the information on the application. In the space below, please provide an explanation as to why the prior termination or resignation should NOT disqualify your application from the current position.

04

If you are a current or former State of Colorado employee, please list your employee number (starts with 997…). Your application may be considered incomplete if you do not provide this information. An incomplete application may not move forward in the Selection process. If you are a former or current state employee, please identify what state agency you work(ed) with and how many years of relevant state service you have related to the position you are applying for. (Ensure this is listed on your application under work experience).

05

Please describe why you are interested in this role and how your skill set and/or past experience makes you a good fit for the position of Grievance Coordinator.

06

As a Grievance Coordinator, you will interact with a wide variety of stakeholders, including vulnerable behavioral health consumers, provider staff, and family members. Describe your approach to ensuring fair, objective, and respectful communication when serving individuals from different backgrounds or those who may be experiencing a crisis

07

This role requires building familiarity with state rules and working with formal documents. Describe your experience navigating regulatory, policy, or legal frameworks. How do you approach interpreting these rules and clearly communicating them to stakeholders who may be frustrated or unfamiliar with the regulations?

08

Please describe your relevant background and indicate how many years of experience you have in the following areas (ensuring these match the work history portion of your application): a) Processing, tracking, and managing complaints, grievances, or CIRs; b) Managing administrative workflows and casework using databases; c) Regulatory compliance, auditing, or quality assurance experience; d) Experience working for a behavioral health provider, clinic, or facility.

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/