Here’s your chance to join OIT as our new Digital Service Expert specializing in Product Manager (PM). You will be working as one of two PMs on the Colorado Digital Service (CDS) team. The product manager will work across a range of projects during their time with the digital service. They will work in a cross-functional team with subject matter experts as well as experts in user research and design, technical architecture, software engineering, and procurement. This person should be comfortable contributing hands-on, as well as mentoring others in adopting and improving upon human-centered design practices.
We are looking for you if you have: shipped impactful products to a large or diverse user base, led a team towards a product vision in an ambiguous environment, and built up teams with cultures of trust, collaboration, and psychological safety. If the idea of working to enrich the lives of your fellow Coloradans excites you and you are committed to improving government services by focusing on the people who need them most, please apply!
Background on the Colorado Digital Service:
The Colorado Digital Service (CDS) was launched in October 2019 by Governor Jared Polis within the Governor’s Office of Information Technology (OIT). CDS hires top technologists from diverse backgrounds into term-limited “tours of civic service,” bringing their expertise to help improve the services that millions of Coloradans use. These small teams of senior engineers, designers, and product managers work alongside dedicated civil servants in state agencies to develop user-centered solutions to Colorado’s most pressing technical challenges. The CDS team uses modern software development methodologies like human-centered design and DevSecOps to support our government partners in delivering high quality services to the people of Colorado.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Primary job responsibility: Product Strategy and Development, 75%
Lead and coach product management activities alongside state agency partners to enable the delivery of modern services that meet the needs of users.
Establish the environment necessary to operate as a high-performing cross-functional team in partnership with stakeholders.
Develop and communicate the product vision, strategy, backlog, and roadmap alongside state agency product owners and managers.
Communicate and collaborate with partners throughout the state to ensure we are enabling their long-term success, managing state requirements, and setting expectations.
Support team members by helping them clear any challenges they may encounter and focusing their efforts towards the product vision.
Help build a cohesive team culture of alignment, trust, empowerment, and collective investment in the success of your products.
Serve as the interface between the state and outside vendors.
Primary job responsibility: Communication and Mentorship, 25%
Collaborate with vendors, state executive leadership teams, managers within the Office of Information Technology (OIT), and state agency staff.
Mentor and coach colleagues and partners who are taking on new tasks and roles within design, research, and engineering.
Clearly communicate the value of agile and user-centered methodologies to a wide audience.
Document and share knowledge, techniques, tools, patterns, and expert advice with colleagues, partners, and the public.
Promote empathy not just for members of the public, but also partners across the government.
Participate in communities of practice throughout the civic tech landscape to promote continuous learning and sharing beyond your role and organization.
Drive open communication regarding project work with the public (e.g., through blog posts).
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Work Experience:
Proven ability to deliver products and services.
Proven ability to establish strong cross-functional relationships across different disciplines and teams.
At least five years of experience applying product management and research methodology in complex environments.
At least one year of experience leading and building teams to drive product initiatives across organizational silos.
Extensive experience using customer data and user research to drive an organization to become more user-centric.
Experience working collaboratively with cross-functional teams across the product delivery lifecycle using modern software development practices, while building capacity for innovation.
Education/Training:
Degree from a four year College or University or equivalent work experience will substitute
Knowledge & Skills:
Demonstrates expertise in multiple areas of product management (e.g., product roadmaps, user research, product design, product analytics, etc.).
Strong communication and leadership skills.
Self-motivated and able to effectively manage time and tasks.
Ability to solve complex problems creatively, participate in continuous improvement, adapt to environments with a wide range of agile practice maturity, and encourage the ideas of others.
Strategic thinking and ability to motivate cross-functional teams.
Experience working in, or with, the public sector is a plus.
Licenses/Certifications Preferred:
N/A
Supplemental Information
The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive 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.
The Governor’s Office of Information Technology is committed to the full inclusion of 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, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform 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 our ADA Coordinator at OIT_HR@state.co.us or call (303) 764-7900.
The Governor’s Office of Information Technology does NOT offer sponsored Visas for employment purposes.
The Colorado Digital Service sources talent from the private sector for assignments that are intended to be 6 months to two years “tours of duty”, in order to share best practices and collaborate for the benefit of Colorado citizens. As such, this position is limited to 24 months in duration.