Colorado Child Protection Ombudsman; Chief Executive Officer

4 days ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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 members of the public to raise concerns related to child protection services and as a source of credible, system‑level insight for state leaders. Its work focuses on how child protection systems operate in practice, where they fall short, and what can be learned to strengthen fairness, accountability, and outcomes for children, youth, and families across Colorado.

The Ombudsman does not operate programs, make placement decisions, or advocate for agencies; rather, the office reviews complaints, investigates concerns, evaluates system performance, and identifies patterns and trends that inform recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and other stakeholders.

Are you a leader whose career has prepared you to hold complexity without becoming reactive, to speak uncomfortable truths with integrity, and to lead without needing to control outcomes? If so, this position offers the opportunity to apply that leadership at a statewide level, where judgment and independence matter most. Colorado is seeking its next Child Protection Ombudsman, an independent statewide leader entrusted with safeguarding fairness, accountability, and learning across the child protection system.

• 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.

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

• Reinforced the office’s ethical independence and public trust.
• Strengthened internal systems for complaint review, trend analysis, and transparent public reporting.
• Built credibility with staff, Board members, legislators, judicial partners, counties, and advocacy organizations.
• Elevated statewide understanding of the Ombudsman’s role and value.
• Delivered evidence‑based recommendations that influence policy, practice, and system behavior.

• An advanced graduate degree or equivalent professional experience in public administration, nonprofit or government leadership, social work, public policy, behavioral sciences, or a related field.
• Deep 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 intersection with law and courts.
• A proven record of leading system‑level change that produced measurable improvements in outcomes, processes, or organizational culture.
• At least seven years of executive‑level leadership with direct accountability for strategy, budgets, operations, and workforce leadership or experience commensurate with this requirement.
• The ability to analyze legislation and policy and communicate complex findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• A documented commitment to equity, fairness, and public accountability.
• A reputation for integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.

This is a hybrid leadership role that blends strategic, reflective work with regular in‑person engagement across Colorado. The Ombudsman operates in a dynamic environment that requires resilience, sound judgment, and the ability to respond thoughtfully to urgent or sensitive matters while maintaining focus on long‑term impact. Periodic travel is required. This position does not provide relocation compensation.

• Integrity – transparent, impartial, and consistent
• Collaboration…