Salary : $96,852.00 - $116,220.00 Annually
Location : Pueblo, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number:
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: Colorado State Fair
Opening Date: 08/11/2026
Closing Date: 8/19/2026 4:30 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 1001 Beulah Ave, Pueblo, CO 81004, USA
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
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.
Department Contact Information: P 303.869.9014 I C 720.653.4267 I F 303.466.2867 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, CO [email protected] I www.colorado.gov/ag

Description of Job
Organizational Purpose:

The Colorado State Fair (CSF) is one of nine (9) divisions at the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA). Within CSF is a new Safety and Security unit that exists to centralize, modernize, and elevate the Colorado State Fair's safety and security efforts to protect all people, animals, and property on the State Fair properties and to incorporate emergency preparedness strategies. In doing this, the unit coordinates with the CDA Office of Emergency Management, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, and local emergency and law enforcement partners. This unit coordinates, prepares, and implements safety and security measures during the 11-day State Fair Event and other public events on the fairgrounds throughout the year.

Major Objectives of the Position:

The Director of Safety and Security is a full-time position and is responsible for the overall safety and security of the Colorado State Fair. As director, this position's responsibilities include leading and coordinating safety programs within the Colorado State Fair grounds and liaising with local and state emergency and law enforcement agencies, including the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, Pueblo Police, Colorado State Patrol, Pueblo Fire, and AMR Ambulance on larger emergency responses or initiatives connected to the CSF.
This position collaborates with other public safety professionals and staff to identify and implement safety policies, protocols, and operational improvements to ensure safety is a key part of CSF's culture. This position also works closely with the Emergency Management Team at CDA to conduct annual safety and security assessments and make recommendations to the State Fair General Manager for improvements and implement approved directives.
This position is responsible for the safety of the fairgrounds, staff, visitors, contractors, and assets. The coordinator develops safety policies and procedures specific to the grounds and communicates safety plans effectively. This position will also supervise temporary staff, contractors, and volunteers at the State Fair Event and lead safety and security training for CSF staff throughout the year.

This position understands and implements the OIT requirements for digital accessibility as appropriate for the role.
Primary Duties:

Safety & Security Operational:

This position will lead security planning and operations for CSF. The position is responsible for ensuring vacant positions are filled quickly, staff are well trained and supported, team communication is effective across the unit, personnel matters are effectively resolved, and a positive team culture is maintained. Duties include:

• Hiring, scheduling, and supervising seasonal/temporary employees, contractors, and volunteers working security (also known as Security Staff). Managing and treating all employees equitably.
• Executing onboarding plans per CDA's onboarding guidance for any new employee in the unit, temporary or otherwise, based on job training protocols. Ensure new hires have the tools and training to succeed.
• Evaluating the budget annually to ensure all required staffing and equipment costs can be fulfilled to ensure the safety and security of staff and customers at the State Fair.
• Developing and updating CSF procedures related to safety and security.
• Making ongoing supervisory decisions on safety and security.
• Conducting safety & security assessments with the CDA Emergency Management team.
• Collaborating with the CDA Emergency Management team and the General Manager as needed to implement plans and updates identified from assessments.
• Identifying and addressing threats and vulnerabilities to protect employees, patrons/visitors, and the fairground's facilities.
• Reviewing and identifying any gaps, and improvement/contingency plans provided to the State Fair General Manager.
• Working with team members to ensure that communication and surveillance equipment essential to safe events and operations on the fairgrounds is working properly and is provided to the CSF team.
• Purchasing safety and security equipment (e.g., radios, surveillance cameras, locks, barricades, reflective clothing, area lights) per the approved budget.
• Employing modern crime prevention techniques to protect visitors, animals, and property at the State Fairgrounds.
• Addressing immediate operational problems, making quick decisions on administrative procedures to maintain productivity, and escalating larger strategic decisions to the State Fair Manager.
• Address poor performance by staff and contractors and address conflict issues promptly and constructively.
• Responsible for the physical transport, assembly, positioning, and breakdown of heavy security infrastructure, including advanced weapons detection systems and tactical crowd-control barricades.
• Command and actively assist in emergency scenes, which may require rapidly moving heavy safety barriers, clearing physical obstructions, or deploying emergency response equipment to secure a perimeter.
• Respond to and manage safety incidents involving loose, distressed, or hostile animals on the property; must be physically capable of handling, corralling, and stalling animals using specialized equipment to ensure public and staff safety.

Partnerships and Coordination:

This position establishes and maintains close working partnerships with local, regional, and national emergency and law enforcement agencies, representing the Colorado State Fair. Specifically, working year-round with all public safety agencies in Pueblo County to plan for and enhance the safety & security of all events at the Fairgrounds. Duties include:

• Updating the CSF Emergency Action Guide annually and the Staff Emergency Procedures Guidebook with input from the CDA Office of Emergency Management and community safety partners.
• Working closely with the Pueblo Fire Department and Pueblo County Sheriff's Office on Evacuation Plans for the fairgrounds, specific to fire drills, severe weather events, and mass casualty incidents (MCI) that may occur in or near the campus.
• Providing regular communication to partner agencies to promote collaboration.
• Responding to inquiries from customers/partners, managing correspondence such as emails and calls, ensuring professional representation of the State Fair in routine interactions.
• Supporting State Fair programs to determine staffing, safety, and security needs for all events.
• Scheduling and conducting regular safety training for full-time and seasonal/temporary staff.

Staff Safety and Security Trainings:

This position develops and facilitates safety & security training for all CSF Staff, including permanent staff, temporary staff, and volunteers. Duties include:

• Serving as the lead instructor or class coordinator when outside subject-matter experts (trainers) are required. This position will cover topics relevant to security and safety issues encountered by staff.
• Regularly seek feedback from staff on safety and security issues.
• Work with the CDA Emergency Management Team, Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, and other community partners to develop, plan, and facilitate the annual fair-related table-top or functional disaster table training exercises.
• Serve as the CDA Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) point of contact for the State Fair and be responsible for carrying out related COOP provisions when activated.

Other Duties as Assigned:

Other duties as assigned by the State Fair General Manager. A variety of duties and projects may arise as part of an emergency incident or planning for such incidents (e.g., becoming a Colorado Threat Liaison Officer (TLO), or writing Incident Action Plans (IAPs)), so this position will need to be flexible to complete other tasks that may arise depending on workload.

• The CDA Emergency Management Team is available to support this Director position as needed.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.
This position is 100% in office and is not eligible for work from home options.
Skills-based Hiring:
This position is advertised in alignment with , Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways, including formal education, work experience, volunteering, self-directed learning, and other life experiences, opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!
Salary Range:
BIWEEKLY
$3,725.08 - $4,470.00
MONTHLY
$8,071.00 - $9,685.00
ANNUALLY
$96,852.00 - $116,220.00
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Minimum Requirements:
Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Nine (9) years of experience relevant to the position.
  • Seven (7) years must include experience in law enforc