State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Volunteer Program Coordinator - Remote - Term Limited

This position is open to current Colorado residents only.

Most State of Colorado employees are eligible for a great benefit package! Please see the Supplemental Information section below for details!

State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office

The State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office is the entity in Colorado, headed by the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (SLTCO), that exists to carry out the functions and duties set forth in federal regulations established in Title VII, Chapter 2, of the Older Americans Act, as well as Title 26, Article 11.5, of the Older Coloradans Act. The primary purpose of the SLTCO Office is to promote and protect the rights of long-term care residents guaranteed to them under federal and state law. The SLTCO Office does this by advocating for residents of skilled nursing homes and licensed assisted living residences across the state.

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The Colorado State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program protects the rights and improves the quality of care and quality of life for residents in long term care through individual and systems advocacy and on behalf of residents living in licensed nursing homes and assisted living homes. This position is being created to establish a volunteer ombudsman program
within the Office of the SLTCO. It will be responsible for working with the local LTC Ombudsman programs and helping them recruit and train volunteer ombudsmen.
The Colorado Department of Human Services' State Unit on Aging has received one-time supplemental funding through the American Rescue Act of 2021 (SSA) for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman (LTCO). The position is created as a term-limited and funding cannot be guaranteed beyond September 30, 2025. The position is created within the Office of Adult, Aging and Disability Services (OAADS), for the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. The position is being allocated to establish new Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program volunteers and rebuild existing volunteer local ombudsman programs across Colorado.
The Volunteer Program Coordinator is responsible for developing a process for recruiting, screening, onboarding and training volunteers as certified Ombudsman representatives throughout the state. The Volunteer Program Coordinator ensures volunteer ombudsmen are trained as representatives of the Office of the SLTCO. This position operates the program in accordance with all applicable state and federal statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures. Representatives of the SLTCO include the staff who work directly for the SLTCO within the Office and local paid and volunteer LTC ombudsmen who work for the local LTC Ombudsman Programs located within the 16 Area Agencies on Aging across Colorado. As the Volunteer Program Coordinator, the position monitors program responsibilities of the local volunteer ombudsman programs, including the quality of ombudsman services and program activities.
Position duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

• Develops and implements a streamlined method for recruitment, screening, onboarding, and training Ombudsman Volunteers for Regional Ombudsman Programs across the state.
• Creates a statewide template job description for the volunteer ombudsman position.
• Creates marketing materials and identifies sources of advertising to recruit volunteers.
• Collaborates with Regional Ombudsmen and Area Agencies on Aging on recruitment efforts and methods.
• Coordinates initial and on-going meetings with the Regional Ombudsmen to communicate recruitment progress and offer any additional support needed to the Regional Ombudsman.
• Trains all new volunteers with the Office-approved certification training that meets Administration for Community Living (ACL) requirements.
• Ensures ombudsman training topics cover recognizing abuse and neglect and increasing ombudsman presence in assisted living residences.
• Increases abuse awareness through conducting community education sessions, providing facility staff training, and educating residents and their loved ones.
• Provides training to volunteers on how to educate and empower residents to detect abuse, how to respond, and where to obtain help.
• Ability to travel throughout the state to provide in-person training at the direction of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman
• Coordinates with and supports the Quality Assurance Program Manager with certification training requirements for new ombudsmen.
• Collaborates with Regional Ombudsmen to identify ongoing training needs.
• Supports the Quality Assurance Program Manager with statewide data collection and analysis.
• Supports the Quality Assurance Program Manager to review the statewide program data, seeks approval from SLTCO or Deputy SLTCO, and disseminates reports.
• Serves as a technical consultant and subject matter expert to volunteer ombudsmen.
• Other duties as assigned: The SLTCO may assign this position to other duties regarding the general operation of the program.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in social work, human services, public administration, or related field of study

~AND~

• Two years of professional experience working in long-term services and supports or other services for older persons or individuals with disabilities; with program coordination; training others/stakeholders (residents, providers, long-term care professionals, volunteers, etc.).

• Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
  

Special Qualifications:

• This position is required to have LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado upon hire or obtain LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado within the first 90 days of employment, and this position must maintain certification throughout employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills

• Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail

• Experience coordinating a Volunteer Program that impacts people living in long-term care facilities

• Experience developing policies and procedures and administering programs for vulnerable adult populations

• Knowledge demonstrated experience, and comprehensive understanding of complaint investigation, resolution skills, and data analysis

• Ability to work nonstandard hours and travel for work meetings, as needed

• Ability to work successfully and independently in a remote or hybrid work environment, as well as on a team and with general supervision

• Proven ability to exercise discretion, independent judgment, and ethical approaches in job performance

• Commitment to providing services and leadership with an equity, diversity, and inclusion lens

• Ability to consistently promote a professional image of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Office products and other technology, such as Zoom, printers, scanners, file-sharing platforms, databases, timekeeping software, and other applications required to perform the essential functions of the job

• Knowledge of abuse prevention and awareness

• Bilingual or multilingual

Conditions of Employment

• A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process as this position is deemed to have direct contact with vulnerable persons. Felony convictions, conviction of crimes of moral turpitude, or convictions of misdemeanors related to job duties may disqualify you from being considered for this position. Should your background check reveal any charges or convictions, it is your responsibility to provide the CDHS Background Unit with an official disposition of any charges. Additionally, you will be required to take a drug screening.
• Special Qualifications: This position is required to have LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado upon hire or obtain LTC Ombudsman certification in Colorado within the first 90 days of employment, and this position must maintain certification throughout employment.
• This position shall be free from conflicts of interest pursuant to Section 712 (f) of the
  Older Americans Act, 45 CFR §1324.21 and Section 4.1 of the Colorado Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Policies and Procedures. This position must take reasonable steps to avoid conflicts of interest and must identify and disclose actual or potential conflicts to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. This position must complete an Individual Conflict of Interest Form before employment and once employed, this position must complete the form and submit it to the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman within five (5) business days upon learning of a potential conflict of interest and on an annual basis.
• This is a Term Limited position with an anticipated end date of September 30th, 2025, contingent upon funding.
• Travel: This position requires at times to travel across the state to local LTC ombudsman programs as well as LTC facilities to meet with residents to conduct their business. This position will require the use of State Fleet Vehicles when travel is necessary.
• A valid US Driver's License is required.
• Former State employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must (1) disclose that information on the application (2) provide an explanation why the prior termination or resignation should not disqualify the applicant from the current position, (3) provide the employee number from the applicant's prior State employment. Absent extraordinary circumstances, prior disciplinary termination or resignation in lieu of termination, and failure to provide this information will disqualify the applicant from future State employment with CDHS.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department's action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

How to Apply

The Assessment Process

For additional recruiting questions, please contact annette.torrez@state.co.us

About Us:

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS). Our professionals strive to design and deliver high-quality human and health services that improve the safety, independence, and well-being of the people of Colorado. In addition to a great location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans

• Medical and dental health plans

• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account

• Paid life insurance

• Short- and long-term disability coverage

• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• BenefitHub state employee discount program

• Employee Wellness program

• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training, and more

• Remote work arrangements for eligible positions

*Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more

information, go to https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/student-loan-forgiveness-programs.

Our Values:

We believe in a people-first approach: To serve the people of Colorado, we develop a culture and work environment that creates an energized, inspired, and healthy team capable o...