In 1954, CSA (now the Office of Human Resources) was established by charter amendment because the voters of Denver decided they wanted their city government to operate by merit. Under the merit system, applicants are given a chance to compete and be hired based upon their knowledge, skills, and abilities, without regard to their race, creed, national origin, political affiliation, age, sex, sexual orientation, or disability.
The City and County of Denver’s Office of Human Resources maintains a competitive merit system that provides equal employment opportunity to all applicants. The agency oversees the city's personnel system and the majority of employees, excluding elected officials, appointees and uniformed police and fire. The Office of Human Resources is dedicated to serving as strategic business partners with all agencies to source and recruit the top professional talent for the City and County of Denver.
The Executive Director of the Office of Human Resources is Karen Niparko. The agency is overseen by the Career Service Board. The Career Service Board consists of five Denver citizens appointed by the Mayor for five-year staggered terms. The Board provides oversight for the Office of Human Resources. Its charge is to maintain the merit system, which is the foundation of the Career Service personnel system. It is responsible for setting policy, considering appeals and making rule changes that enhance the work environment.
Learn About the Career Service Board