Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman (Chief Executive Officer)

Agency: Office of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman
Location: Denver, Colorado (Hybrid)
Reports to: Ombudsman Advisory Board
Salary: $180,000–$200,300 annually
Salary placement within the range will be based on qualifications and experience. The anticipated hiring range is toward the upper end of the posted range.

The Agency

The Office of the Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO) is an independent state office established in statute to provide oversight of Colorado’s child protection system. The office serves as a neutral forum for public concerns related to child protection services and as a trusted source of system-level insight for state leaders.

CPO reviews complaints, investigates concerns, evaluates system performance, and identifies trends that inform recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and other stakeholders. The office does not operate programs or make placement decisions and maintains independence from the agencies it reviews. Its authority is grounded in law, neutrality, and disciplined analysis.

The Role

Colorado is seeking its next Child Protection Ombudsman, an independent statewide leader entrusted with advancing fairness, accountability, and learning across the child protection system. This role is suited for an executive leader who brings sound judgment, integrity, and the ability to engage complex systems without becoming politicized or reactive.

As Child Protection Ombudsman, you will lead a highly skilled team engaged in emotionally complex, high-stakes work. You will represent the office in legislative hearings, judicial settings, media inquiries, and public forums, while maintaining independence and credibility.

This hands-on executive role requires calm authority and moral courage to speak truth to power while sustaining trust and accountability.

Scope of Accountability

• Setting strategic direction and ensuring fulfillment of the office’s statutory mission.
• Leading and supporting senior leadership, including the Deputy Ombudsman and Director of Client Services.
• Overseeing complaint investigation, system evaluation, and public reporting processes.
• Serving as the primary spokesperson for the office.
• Engaging credibly with legislators, judicial leaders, agency executives, media, and the public.
• Fostering an inclusive, mission-driven culture that supports staff working in emotionally complex environments.

What Impact Looks Like

Within your first 12–18 months, you will have:

• Strengthened public trust and ethical independence
• Improved systems for complaint review, trend analysis, and reporting
• Increased credibility with stakeholders across Colorado
• Elevated statewide understanding of the Ombudsman’s role and value.
• Evidence-based recommendations influencing policy and practice

Success in this role is measured by clarity, credibility, and impact.

Qualifications

You bring:

• An advanced graduate degree or equivalent professional experience in public administration, government, or nonprofit leadership, social work, public policy, behavioral sciences, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of ombudsman principles or comparable independent oversight functions, including neutrality, confidentiality, due process, and ethical judgment.
• Demonstrated understanding of child-serving systems such as child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, and their interaction with legal and court systems.
• A proven record of leading system-level change with measurable impact on outcomes, processes, or organizational culture.
• A minimum of seven years of executive-level leadership with responsibility for strategy, operations, budgets, and workforce leadership, or comparable experience.
• The ability to analyze legislation and policy and communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• A demonstrated commitment to equity, fairness, public accountability, and ethical leadership.
• A reputation for integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

Experience That Strengthens Your Application

While not required, the following experience will strengthen your candidacy:

• Juris Doctor, Ph.D., or professional doctorate in a relevant field.
• Experience within the Colorado state government, including legislative or budget processes.
• Public reporting and data analysis experience that informs policy recommendations.
• Media engagement and issues management experience in high-visibility environments.
• Direct experience with independent oversight, investigations, or ombuds work.

The Work Environment

This is a hybrid role combining strategic work with in-person engagement across Colorado. Periodic travel is required. Relocation assistance is not provided.

Agency Values

CPO’s work is guided by:

• Integrity – transparent, impartial, and consistent
• Collaboration – change through shared knowledge and partnership
• Equity – systems responsive to diverse experiences and needs
• Curiosity – continuous learning and reform
• Independence – autonomy from the agencies reviewed

Benefits and Equal Opportunity

The position includes a comprehensive State of Colorado benefits package, including medical and dental coverage, paid leave and holidays, PERA retirement, and eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. CPO is an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusion and reasonable accommodations.

Click here for information on employee benefits. 

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through OASIA’s BambooHR system:
Apply here: https://judicialco.bamboohr.com/careers/45

Application Deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. MST.

Only completed applications received by the deadline will be considered. Selected candidates will be contacted for interviews.