Special Educator Pathways Specialist - Non-Classified

Colorado Department of Education – What We Do 
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) provides leadership, resources, support, and accountability to the state's 178 school districts, 1,888 schools, over 53,000 teachers, and over 3,200 administrators to help them build capacity to meet the needs of the state's approximately 905,000 public school students. In addition, CDE provides structural and administrative support to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind and the Charter School Institute.

As the administrative arm of the State Board of Education, CDE is responsible for implementing state and federal education laws, disbursing state and federal funds, holding schools and districts accountable for performance, licensing all educators, and providing public transparency of performance and financial data.

CDE is a values-based agency that serves students, parents, and the general public by protecting public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally.   If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

Why Work For CDE
The work we do is rewarding and impacts the students, families, educators, and communities across Colorado. Our leadership also promotes a culture that puts families and self-care as a priority. Along with meaningful work and an environment that puts employees first, the state also offers rich benefits that intend to make us an Employer of Choice!
The following is a summary of the benefits we offer:

• Flexible work schedules and flexible workplace options that may include flexible working hours, working from home, working in the office, and/or a hybrid working environment.
• Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
• 11 paid holidays per year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
• Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org.
• Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
• Paid professional development opportunities.

A wide salary range is posted for this position, and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority relative to others performing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.Work Environment:

This is a full-time position supported by grant and federal funding (funding is contingent upon availability and may end at any time) and is eligible for a hybrid work environment. 

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 20% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Overnight travel is expected within Colorado
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs 
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • MEDIUM/Office-Work Site Environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to exert up to 10 lbs. of force constantly, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally to move objects (If lifting boxes, documents, mail, or packages of 10 lbs or more).
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, squatting, climbing, etc.
    • May require exposure to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, high elevations, noise, etc..

  • Driver’s license required: Must possess a valid driver’s license and be able to safely operate a motor vehicle to fulfill travel requirements. A valid Colorado driver’s license is required when operating a State of Colorado fleet vehicle.

Please review the minimum qualifications carefully before applying. To be considered, applicants must meet all listed education and experience requirements, including experience as a licensed special education professional and experience with educator preparation programs. Retail or medical experience alone does not satisfy these requirements.

Position Summary:
This position, shared between the ESSU Office of Special Education and the Teacher and Learning Division’s SPDG Project will use a vacant position within the ESSU. This role will provide statewide leadership for special education educator workforce development. The position will build and strengthen partnerships among CDE, Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs) administrative units, state and regional agencies, and community organizations to develop sustainable educator preparation and licensure pathways, and partner with CDE’s apprenticeship specialist to support the application of registered apprenticeship pathways to special education. Further, this position will develop and lead special education teacher shortage initiatives within the ESSU. These efforts will address Colorado’s significant shortage of special educators while strengthening the recruitment, preparation, and retention of qualified special education.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop, based on national and state initiatives and priorities, and manage an approved annual budget of leadership, professional learning, and statewide technical assistance activities to support pathways for Colorado special educators.
• Provide strategic leadership for statewide special educator workforce development by identifying personnel shortages, recruitment and retention barriers, and workforce needs and advancing innovative, sustainable strategies to strengthen the pipeline of qualified special education teachers in Colorado.
• Lead the design, implementation, and oversight of ESSU initiatives that expand and strengthen pathways to special education teacher licensure and employment in Colorado administrative units, including grant-funded initiatives, partnerships, and a special education community of practice for Educator Preparation Programs and other workforce partners.
• Build and sustain strategic partnerships with CDE offices, the Collaboration for Effective Educator Development, Accountability, and Reform (CEEDAR), IHEs, Regional Training Zones (RTZs), state agencies, community organizations, and other key stakeholders to address workforce needs and advance sustainable recruitment, preparation, and retention strategies.
• Collaborate with CDE’s apprenticeship specialist and other partners to support the development and expansion of registered apprenticeship opportunities for special education, including identifying opportunities for instructional assistants, paraprofessionals, and substitute teachers to progress toward  special education teacher licensure while maintaining employment
• Provide special education expertise to support alignment of apprenticeship programs with state licensure requirements and identified special education workforce shortage area,
• Map apprenticeship competencies to state licensure standards in partnership with CDE, IHEs, CEEDAR, RTZs, and other stakeholders to ensure alignment among preparation programs, licensure requirements, and the knowledge and skills needed for effective special education practice.
• Prepare and lead a budget for special educator pathway activities that involve field technical assistance.
• Participate in team reauthorization reviews of university and alternative educator preparation pathways for special education personnel and provide follow-up technical assistance, as feasible, to support continuous improvement, workforce needs, and effective recruitment and retention.
• Design and curate materials and resources to provide share with IHEs, alternative programs, and apprenticeship programs to support specially designed instruction to support best first instruction for students with disabilities.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION  AND EXPERIENCE  REQUIREMENTS: 

• Master's degree in the field of special education and/or an equivalent field
• At least three (3) years of Education Preparation Program Experience (universities and/or alternative programs)
• Five (5) Years or more of experience as a licensed special education professional
• Experience as a presenter.
  

Qualifications for Success in the Position: 

• Demonstrated effectiveness in delivering professional learning to adult learners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.)
• Ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations
• Ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (i.e., administrative units, other CDE units, etc.)
• Ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
• Takes initiative and exhibits a proactive approach to work
•  Proactive approach to problem solving
•  Ability to work independently, as well as on a team
• Exhibits CDE's mission, vision, and values by the consistent expression of professional, respectful, and customer service-oriented behaviors.
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Ability to pass a background check
• Ability to facilitate and present across a variety of forums to a variety of audiences

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• A doctorate in special education or educational leadership.
• Public speaking experience, including presentations at the state or national level.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• 20% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Overnight travel is expected within Colorado
• Out-of-state travel expected as appropriate and approved within the ESSU
• Valid Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
• Valid Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a State of Colorado Fleet Motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through federal funds and is subject to availability.
• Driving Required: To ensure the safety and efficiency of CDE operations, certain positions are designated as "Driving Required." These positions are required to safely operate a motor vehicle or a State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle to complete the travel requirements. These positions are subject to a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and a valid driver’s license requirement if it meets the following criteria:
  • Travel Threshold: The position requires business-related travel at least 20% or more of standard working hours; AND
  • Operational Necessity: The travel requirements cannot be reasonably or efficiently met by alternative transportation (e.g., public transit, ride-sharing, or rail) due to:
    • Significant travel distances or out-of-state requirements.
    • A high frequency of stops at multiple locations throughout the workday.
    • The need to transport equipment or travel to areas where public transportation is unavailable or impractical.

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required -Attach Separately
• Resume: Required - Attach Separately
• References: Required - Attached to the online application.

College Transcripts: If you are using education to qualify, a legible copy of your official or unofficial college transcript(s) or a foreign credential evaluation report must be submitted with your application. Transcripts must show the name of the school and that a degree was conferred. Transcripts from colleges or universities outside of the United States must be assessed for U.S. equivalency by a NACES educational credential evaluation service. Failure to provide a transcript or foreign credential evaluation report may result in your application being rejected and you will not be able to continue in the selection process for this position.

**Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close may result in your application being removed from consideration.**

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:
Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately. 
 
Email Address:
All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email.  Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time-sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email.  Please set up your e-mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Equal Employment Opportunity
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, a 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.
 
The Colorado Department of Education is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or performing essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].