Compensation Manager / HR Specialist VI - Hybrid

Items to note:

This position is only open to Colorado state residents.

This posting may fill more than one vacancy.

Thank you for your interest in working for the State of Colorado. Join us and find meaningful work in public service to our state and its residents, helping to make Colorado a great place to live and work in. Please watch the short video below for tips on applying. 

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What Happens After You Apply

Colorado for All Philosophy: Colorado for All means working toward a Colorado where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. It means we support the basic human rights of our neighbors regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status, education level, disability, socio-economic status, or any other visible or invisible identity.

The Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA) is the foundation for dependable state government, leading with responsiveness, integrity, and teamwork. We provide services to other government agencies and all Coloradans by taking bold initiative toward a government with engaged employees, innovative solutions, and constructive partnerships.

DPA provides a wide range of programs and services, from custodial & maintenance to financial and human resources support, which assist other state agencies in fulfilling their missions.  At DPA, there are countless opportunities to contribute to meaningful work that supports and serves the people of Colorado. The wide variety of positions in DPA allow individuals to learn about state operations and provide for long-term career growth.

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and build greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado; it's a chance to combine your expertise with public service. Our professionals strive to support state government and the residents of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more.

Good Government Starts Here! 

Why We Want You:

We want your expertise, positive energy, drive to succeed, and love of this great state as we work to elevate the expectations Coloradans have of their government.

What You'll Get From Us:

In return for the skilled work you do, DPA provides a competitive compensation and benefits package to accompany employment opportunities. Please see the  Benefits Overview video for details on the benefits offered to employees.

The Division of Human Resources Supports Human Resources in Colorado State Government
The Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration, Division of Human Resources (DHR) provides decentralized human resources for the Colorado state government. DHR is responsible for the oversight of all state agency human resources functions and total compensation including maintaining the statewide employment, job evaluation and pay systems. Additionally, the Division is responsible for the benefits system including health, life, disability, dental, and vision for all eligible employees.

Compensation Manager
The Compensation Manager is responsible for managing the day to day operations of the compensation unit, provides recommendations to the Total Rewards Director in developing and implementing a statewide compensation strategy, and develops and implements compensation solutions to resolve statewide issues that can vary in complexity and urgency.

This position is the statewide expert on compensation. This position regularly provides compensation guidance to agencies and other stakeholders. This position leads the creation of the annual and quadrennial report including working with our third party vendor to conduct a market analysis, drafting and finalizing the report, and presenting to stakeholder groups. This position develops and delivers communications and training to organizational leaders and team members. This position also oversees and is the subject matter expert for statewide compensation programs including Step Pay Program, Tuition and Professional Development Reimbursement Program, and the application of Equal Pay for Equal Work. This position collaborates with other teams in the Department of Personnel and Administration and Colorado Workers for Innovative and New Solutions, or COWINS, the certified employee organization as needed.

The Compensation Manager will be responsible for leading a team and is responsible for distributing work as well as guiding and developing the compensation analysts in their day-to-day work and career goals.

A summary of the duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Strategically plans, develops, implements, and administers statewide compensation mechanisms (e.g. pay plan, step pay program, etc.). Leads the research, recommendations, and design of the annual total compensation report. Analyzes and develops job series and classifications, determines pay grades, participates in compensation surveys, and performs associated analysis. Makes recommendations for statewide total rewards to align with competitive market compensation. Supports the creation and may assist with or present the annual report to the Joint Budget Committee.
• Conducts market research, partners with third party consultant to make recommendations.
• Collaborates with the Office of Information and Technology and Central Payroll to conduct the fiscal year end process with a focus on ensuring that pay increases are applied correctly and timely.
• Support labor relations negotiations and conversations around compensation. May participate and/or present in forums such as the Labor Management Committee.
• Plan and prepare materials for confidential and/or privileged meetings of internal stakeholders regarding compensation strategies, wage negotiations, employer-employee relations strategy, labor issues, and management objectives.
• Provides analytical support for regularly occurring projects. Collects, analyzes, and interprets raw data, transforming it into insights and information that lead to actionable recommendations.
• Communicates findings through standard methods (e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, Email, Google Suite).

• Provide expert consultation, solutions, and support to state agencies and stakeholders on complex compensation issues, including recruitment and retention strategies, step pay placement, and time-in-series calculations.
• Develop and distribute practical tools and resources to assist agencies in managing their compensation strategies. 
• Design and implement communication and educational strategies focused on creating pay and compensation transparency within the State.
• Present to external stakeholders (e.g. the Joint Budget Committee, the Labor Management Committee, etc.)

• Acts as the statewide subject matter expert in compensation.
• Understands and ensures compliance with laws, rules, statutes, policies related to compensation (e.g. Equal Pay for Equal Work, Fair Labor Standards Act, Partnership Agreement).
• Review and recommend changes in rule, statute, universal policy, technical guidance and all written materials as requested, including draft of new language with  supporting documentation. 
• Present proposal for changes to Director for review and approval prior to presenting to senior leadership, if requested.

• Provides comprehensive supervision of the compensation team, including workflow assignment, review units work product for quality and relevance, leave management and performance evaluation.
• Establishes annual unit goals in alignment with the division’s strategic goals and objectives, fosters professional development and proactively manages conflict.
• Provides coaching and professional development to the team. Ensures their subject matter expertise.

*A Human Resources Analyst will only review the work experience/job duties sections of the online job application to determine whether you meet the minimum qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Cover letters and resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of the official State of Colorado online application, but may be attached. Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications to continue in the selection process for this position. Work experience and qualifications must be specifically documented on your online application. Do not use "see resume" or "see attached" statements on your application. Resumes will not be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. If it is determined that you meet the minimum qualifications, your application will also be used as part of the comparative analysis process to identify a top group for further consideration.

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:

Minimum Qualifications:

At least nine (9) years of relevant experience in compensation which must include at least two years of experience supervising staff, leading projects or initiatives.

OR

A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in compensation equal to at least nine (9) years which must include at least two years of experience supervising staff, leading projects or initiatives. There is no substitution for the two years of supervising staff.

The exceptional candidate will possess the proven ability or accomplishment in the following preferred qualifications:

• Previous State Service related to the work assigned to the position

• Advanced Excel skills (lookups, pivot tables, complex formula writing, macros, charts, graphs)

• Experience building compensation systems, managing projects, and scaling processes in a fast paced environment

• Superior analytical, problem-structuring, and problem-solving skills; experience synthesizing data into information, and presenting concise analyses.

• Ability to develop a proactive strategic vision

• Proven ability to manage multiple projects at a time while paying strict attention to detail and deliverable timelines

• Experience conducting detailed data analyses and collaborating with stakeholders to provide business solutions

• Self-motivated and able to thrive in a results-driven environment

• Ability to prioritize among competing tasks

• Always looking to improve inefficient processes

• An ability to lead with a collaborative approach to build strong business partnerships and gain alignment for practical, appropriate business solutions

• Excellent listening and customer service skills

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills

• Working knowledge of Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act

• Experience articulating complex classification and pay concepts to non-subject matter experts

Conditions of Employment:

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.

Appeal Rights:

An applicant who has been removed from an employment list or removed from consideration during the selection process may request a review by the State Personnel Director.

As an applicant directly affected by the results of the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file a written appeal with the State Personnel Director.

Review of the completed, signed and submitted appeal will be timely on the basis of written material submitted by you, using the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be completed and delivered to the State Personnel Board by email at dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the Department’s action.

Employment Philosophy: The State of Colorado strives to build and maintain workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans. We are building a Colorado for All through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is committed to non-discriminatory practices in hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.