Product Owner Analyst III

Department Information

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan 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
• MotivateMe employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, training and more
• Access to participate in employer-supported employee affinity spaces
• RTD Eco-Pass Commuter Program
• Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information go to https://dhr.colorado.gov/dhr-resources/student-loan-forgiveness-programs

Description of Job

The success of the FAMLI program mission depends on a well-designed, reliable, and accurate claims management system for time-off and claim benefit payments for those participating in the FAMLI program and seeking financial security. Product Owners/Analyst IIIs play a critical role in achieving goals and objectives as set forth by the Innovation & Technology Leadership Team.

Serves as subject matter expert on FAMLI benefits and claims systems, including applicable policies and rules, operations areas and processes, and industry standards and customer expectations. Manages backlogs (priorities) including sprints, sprint cycles and stories. Acts as “go-to” team member and is delegated additional assignments by supervisor. Through on the job training, coaching and education, the position is to develop into an Agile Product Owner.

Primary responsibility is to serve as product owner and maintain, groom, and prioritize backlogs for assigned value streams; responsible for final outcomes. Act as primary ‘voice of the customers’ for the claims management system. Analyze considerable amounts of data from various internal and external stakeholders. Based on findings, recommend changes to the claims system and suggest potential technology enhancements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams; develop consensus during sprints and sprint cycles.

Act as point of contact with development teams for systems incidents and assume ownership for solutions and communicating critical information related to these issues. Create and update operational products, not limited to but including roadmaps, workflows, updates to structures and systems; maintain log of work to be completed. Manage day-to-day working relationships and daily activities with all vendors, including Five9 (IVR system/call center), Hyland/Onbase (document management), Deloitte (benefits), Slalom (premiums) and future vendors hired to provide product and/or technical support. Monitor vendor performance; hold vendors accountable to performance standards as stipulated in SLA. Negotiate delivery plans with vendor development to ensure business needs are met effectively. Maintain a cooperative, positive and highly effective partnership with all vendors.

Assume administrative duties and participate in requirement, design, development, testing, deployment and maintenance phases of the product development lifecycle. Collaborate with engineering teams to automate workflows, processes, and tools to improve product quality and efficiency standards.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Experience working on building large scale, mission critical digital systems
• Have background in insurance or leave management systems
• Have experience working with customers and gathering, analyzing potential for value add to the products
• Performing duties similar to those assigned to the position as a classified State of Colorado employee.

• Technical skills/ technical systems: possess specialized knowledge and expertise required to perform specific tasks and use specific tools and programs in real world situations. Possess diverse technical and ability to implement deliverable and on-going operations. Understands the impact of technological changes in the organizations
• Analytical/Critical Thinking: Knowledge of techniques and tolls that promote effective analysis and the ability to determine the root cause of user/usage problems and create alternative solutions that resolve the problems in the best interest of the business.
• Judgment and decision making: A capacity to work in ambiguous circumstances and make one's own decisions based on the relative costs and benefits of potential actions. Must be comfortable making quick decisions and course correct developmental outputs to ensure optimal market fit of the deliverables. Must be able to push back on ideas or pressures from stakeholders that do not fit in with the value stream objectives.
• Agile Methodologies: Familiarity with agile methodologies and practical experience in an agile setting.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively and build coalitions with key stakeholders, speak and write authoritatively and compellingly, resolve communication problems, and negotiate and manage competing interests. Ability to work well with constituents regardless of position and authority, contribute to governing boards and committees, and adhere to clear lines of responsibility and accountability. A readiness to forge connections with external stakeholders and take the initiative in leading efforts to address significant problems that might escalate by significant stakeholders.
• Communication: Ability to communicate effectively orally and in written form with colleagues in different units, vendors, and internal/external stakeholders to ensure they are informed and engaged as projects move forward.
• Complex Problem Solving: Identify complex problems and review related information to develop and evaluate options, consider alternative solutions, distinguish between relevant and irrelevant information, and use sound reasoning to arrive at decisions. Approach work with a solutions orientation. Manage competing interests of stakeholders.
• Driving Results: Ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Ability to work and perform while operating within strict time constraints and competing priorities.
• Integrity: Consistently applies organizational policies and adheres to personal and organizational values. Possess and demonstrate strong principles and values. Follow through on personal commitment; is fair and impartial. Assures that effective policies and procedures are developed to maintain the integrity of the organization.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be a Colorado resident at time of application.
• You must pass a thorough background check prior to employment which will include the E-Verify process.

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.