Internship Opportunity: Process Improvement and Change Management

Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

This is a paid temporary part-time up to full-time position (minimum 24 hours/week) and will exist for 9 months or less.

 Applications will be reviewed as they are received and this announcement will be closed when the position is filled. It is in your best interest to apply early.

About the Office

The Office of Process Improvement (OPI) provides the infrastructure, processes, training, and support to promote a culture of continuous improvement at CDOT. Promoting a culture of continuous improvement is reflected in CDOT's Core Values, including the value of Excellence, “We are committed to quality. We are leaders and problem solvers, continuously improving our products and services in support of our commitment to provide the best transportation systems for Colorado." The Office of Process Improvement collaborates externally with other government agencies and works internally within CDOT to help make our CDOT services, products and operations more effective and efficient. Our longer-term vision is: "Everyone, Every Day, Improving Every Process and Every Product, To Benefit Every Customer" and to ensure that improvements are adopted and their benefits are realized, we work to 'Ensure that everyone impacted by change is successful with that change".  To reach this longer-term vision, CDOT has numerous change initiatives underway.

The Office of Process Improvement offers three lines of service…

• Lean Everyday Ideas (LEI) is a flagship program aimed at helping CDOTers innovate their work environment. Everyone at the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is encouraged to identify opportunities to make improvements to their workplaces and work processes, every day. LEI allows everyone to share and collaborate on ways to improve processes and products to benefit our customers. It includes a robust database of innovations and a thorough vetting process for sharing ideas.

• Concept to Project (C2P) works to improve CDOT's business improvement projects by providing training, tools, resources, and a standardized completion process. Additionally, C2P helps ensure that all of CDOT’s business improvement projects that impact how people work integrate change management within their project plans, ultimately leading to CDOT's realization of each project’s intended benefits and outcomes.

• Lastly, OPI’s strategy line of service exists to assist individuals, teams, departments and regions in creating and executing their strategic plans. In doing so this will align CDOTers with the overall CDOT performance plan, leading to the achievement of CDOT’s yearly performance goals.

About the Position

As an intern, you will contribute to all of the Office of Process Improvement’s programs in a variety of ways, including content creation, managing projects that are aimed at improving OPI’s services, and integrating change management into any changes that those projects create. Additionally, you have the opportunity to learn through participation in various workshops, such as CDOT’s 3-day Change Management for Practitioners workshop (gaining Prosci’s Change Practitioner Certification), lean process improvement workshops, and other professional development opportunities. As a way to learn more about CDOT and other state agencies you will have the chance to attend fun and informative intern outings to state facilities around Colorado. Major duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Assisting with innovation and improvement throughout CDOT:

  • Engage with fellow CDOTers by documenting and sharing their ideas and innovations
  • Maintain our robust database of innovations through data collection, data entry and cleaning
  • Assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of processes (including the use of continuous improvement practices and change management methodologies)
  • Develop, manage and execute projects that improve the effectiveness and efficiency of processes as well as integrate change management with project plans.  
  • Develop, design and produce graphics and videos to support CDOT Office of Process Improvement (OPI) initiatives (i.e. creating promotional materials such as posters, videos, and web content)
  • Make sure all electronic documents and designs follow best practices for accessibility.

• Supporting project and change management initiatives through Concept to Project (C2P):

  • Preparing and producing change management courses and supporting the course facilitators
  • Maintaining project and change management tools and resources such as documents, spreadsheets and videos/web content
  • Work to mature CDOT’s C2P Program by assisting with projects that are aimed at improving processes associated with C2P. 

• Aiding the development of strategic plans within CDOT:

  • Developing recommendations for improving operations

  • Documenting goals, metrics and initiatives 

• Able to create and produce communications on own initiative, demonstrating the ability to communicate well verbally and in writing on a variety of platforms and settings
• Develop personal organization and tracking methods such as internal spreadsheets; setting up the routine for tracking information, and deciding which software format is most effective to produce the required results
• Plan events associated with innovation and improvement initiatives, and being responsible for logistics, equipment, menus/caterers, and presenters
• Performing other duties as assigned to assist with accomplishment of initiatives to support CDOT's goals and CDOT's Excellence Value
• Occasional car travel within the Denver metro region and to other areas throughout the state

Work Environment: 

• This position is based at CDOT's Statewide Headquarters Complex located at 2829 W. Howard Place, Denver, CO 80204

• OPI operates in a hybrid work environment. Interns are expected to be in the office at least once a week, but this arrangement is always subject to change.

• The expected work schedule is between Monday through Friday.

• This role is anticipated to work approximately 24 to 40 hours per week.

• It is a must to be able to work in an active, collaborative, team-oriented environment, often in a virtual environment.

• Use a computer and accompanying technology and software to accomplish everyday work duties