Salary: $106,776.00 - $170,856.00 Annually
Location : Denver, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: FAA02135-07/10/26
Department: Department of Public Health & Environment
Division: Administration Division
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 8/8/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Type of Announcement: This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address: 8100 E Lowry Blvd, Denver, CO 80230
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
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 of Job
The Work Unit:State public health laboratories are foundational to protecting the health of the population. Only one of these highly specialized labs exist per state, creating a national network that works closely with the EPA, CDC, FDA and other federal agencies. The Colorado Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) protects the health of the population by identifying known and novel infectious diseases and outbreaks; detecting environmental contaminants in food products, natural medicine, and drinking and recreational waters; responding to bioterrorism and chemical threats; certifying every instrument in the state used for evidential breath alcohol testing; testing every infant born in Colorado and Wyoming to identify treatable genetic-related conditions at birth; performing audit functions and certification of outside laboratories; and conducting surveillance and public health research. The CPHL conducts around 3 million tests annually and works in partnership with local public health agencies to investigate and monitor public health threats.

The CPHL is a division with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, known internally as the Laboratory Services Division. The Operations and Finance Unit of the laboratory delivers core operational, pre-analytical, and business support functions that enable timely, reliable, and compliant laboratory services. This unit integrates informatics and data systems, specimen accessioning, logistics and supply chain operations, client coordination, fiscal and contract management, and personnel administration into a cohesive operational framework that supports testing programs, regulatory requirements, and emergency response readiness. Through coordinated oversight of these interconnected functions, the unit ensures secure specimen and data flow, sound financial stewardship, effective workforce management, modern technology and instrumentation, and consistent customer service, allowing the laboratory's scientific programs to operate efficiently while meeting public health priorities and surge demands.

This Operations and Finance unit also serves as the primary laboratory logistics partner to CDPHE's Office of Emergency Preparedness and Response. The laboratory's logistical support includes purchase, storage and distribution of vaccines, pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and testing supplies; specimen transportation and testing support; and other logistical services necessary to support statewide preparedness, response, and recovery activities.

What You Will Do:
Help lead one of Colorado's most important public institutions.

Every day, the Colorado Public Health Laboratory protects millions of people by detecting infectious diseases, responding to outbreaks, identifying environmental contaminants, testing every newborn in Colorado and Wyoming for life-threatening conditions, supporting emergency response operations, and serving as a critical component of the nation's public health infrastructure. More than three million tests flow through the laboratory each year.

We're seeking an exceptional leader to serve as Deputy Director of Operations & Finance, a senior executive role responsible for ensuring the laboratory has the people, systems, resources, technology, and operational excellence necessary to fulfill its mission.

This is not a traditional operations job.

You'll oversee a complex portfolio that includes logistics, supply chain, specimen accessioning, laboratory informatics, fiscal operations, customer service, workforce administration, emergency and preparedness logistics. You'll lead senior managers, shape organizational strategy, and serve as a trusted advisor to the Laboratory Director.

If you're energized by solving complex problems, building high-performing teams, modernizing systems, and making a meaningful impact on public health, this may be the role you've been looking for.
Lead a Complex Public Health Enterprise
Provide executive leadership for the operational backbone of Colorado's public health laboratory, ensuring secure, reliable, and compliant services that support critical testing programs and emergency response activities.
Build and Lead Exceptional Teams
Direct and mentor senior managers responsible for laboratory operations, logistics, fiscal services, client services, accessioning, and personnel administration. Shape workforce strategy, succession planning, and organizational development across multiple functional areas.
Drive Strategy and Operational Excellence
Serve as a member of the laboratory's senior leadership team. Translate strategic priorities into action, establish performance expectations, solve cross-functional challenges, and continuously improve systems, processes, and service delivery.
Steward Significant Public Resources
Provide executive oversight of budgets, grants, contracts, procurements, fee structures, and vendor relationships. Ensure sound financial management while positioning the laboratory for long-term sustainability and growth.
Strengthen Emergency Preparedness
Help lead one of Colorado's critical emergency response assets. Oversee logistics and preparedness functions that support disease outbreak response, public health emergencies, medical countermeasure distribution, and statewide continuity of operations.
Shape the Future
Guide major initiatives involving technology modernization, laboratory informatics, facilities planning, organizational design, fiscal oversight, operational performance, and workforce readiness.
Key Responsibilities:

• Laboratory Leadership
• Laboratory Operational Oversight (Preanalytical and Support Functions)
• Executive People Management & Supervision
• Financial, Procurement & Grant Contract Oversight
• Process Improvement, Systems & Policy Stewardship
• Oversees Laboratory Emergency Preparedness and Response Functions
• Facilities Coordination & Consultation
• Executive Response & Special Assignments

What Makes This Opportunity Unique

• Lead operations for one of the most sophisticated public health laboratories in the nation.
• Influence decisions that directly impact the health and safety of millions of Coloradans.
• Work at the intersection of science, technology, public policy, emergency management, and executive leadership.
• Manage a diverse portfolio that spans people, operations, finance, logistics, technology, and strategy.
• Join a mission-driven leadership team dedicated to public service and innovation.
• Help shape the future of laboratory services during a period of transformation and modernization.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Has successfully led large, complex operational organizations.
• Understands how to leverage technology, data, and informatics to improve operational performance, strengthen decision-making, and modernize complex organizations.
• Knows how to build trust, develop leaders, and create accountability.
• Is a systems thinker, a tinkerer, and problem solver.
• Can navigate ambiguity, competing priorities, and high-stakes decisions.
• Brings strong financial, organizational, and strategic management skills.
• Thrives in collaborative environments and can influence across organizational boundaries.
• Understands that great operations are invisible when they work-and mission-critical when they don't.
• Is motivated by public service and improving outcomes for communities.

Why This Work Matters
When a disease outbreak occurs, when drinking water is threatened, when a newborn needs a life-saving diagnosis, or when Colorado faces a public health emergency, the Colorado Public Health Laboratory is there.
Behind every successful laboratory response is an operational system that works. This position is vital to making sure that occurs.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
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:
H1A4XX Program Management III
Minimum Qualifications:
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:
Ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience leading complex operational, administrative, fiscal, scientific, technical, or business functions within a large, highly regulated organization (such as public health, healthcare, government, laboratory, higher education, or a similarly complex environment). Experience must include responsibility for program operations, regulatory compliance, strategic initiatives, or organizational improvement, including supervision of staff or leadership of multidisciplinary teams or major programs. Two (2) years of the ten (10) must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, and developing and managing budgets to achieve program goals and objectives.

Or

Education and Experience:
A Bachelor's Degree in public administration, business administration, public health, healthcare administration, laboratory administration, organizational leadership, management, finance, information systems, or a closely related field AND six (6) years of progressively responsible leadership experience leading complex operational, administrative, fiscal, scientific, technical, or business functions within a large, highly regulated organization (such as public health, healthcare, government, laboratory, higher education, or a similarly complex environment). Experience must include responsibility for program operations, regulatory compliance, strategic initiatives, or organizational improvement, including supervision of staff or leadership of multidisciplinary teams or major programs. Two (2) years of the six (6) must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, and developing and managing budgets to achieve program goals and objectives.

OR
A Master's Degree in public administration, business administration, public health, healthcare administration, laboratory administration, organizational leadership, management, finance, information systems, or a closely related field AND four (4) years of progressively responsible leadership experience leading complex operational, administrative, fiscal, scientific, technical, or business functions within a large, highly regulated organization (such as public health, healthcare, government, laboratory, higher education, or a similarly complex environment). Experience must include responsibility for program operations, regulatory compliance, strategic ini