Senior Policy Advisor - 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 position is full-time, state-funded (funding is contingent upon availability and may end at any time), and eligible for a hybrid work environment. 

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• Commuting to the CDE buildings is required.
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • LIGHT/Office environment: 
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
  • DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary:
Help shape the future of education policy in Colorado. CDE is looking for a Senior Policy Associate who can bring deep expertise in education policy to complex legislative and implementation work. You’ll collaborate across the agency and with key partners to analyze legislation, develop policy solutions, coordinate fiscal notes, and help turn policy into effective action for Colorado’s schools and students.

The senior policy associate applies knowledge of statutory, legislative, procedural, and programmatic content to support the policy implementation and development work of the Colorado Department of Education and the State Board of Education. The position works collaboratively with the other members of CDE’s Policy Team–including the principal policy advisor and legislative liaison–to advance the department’s legislative and policy priorities. The position supports the department and board during the legislative session by leading and coordinating the agency’s fiscal note process, analyzing proposed legislation, and summarizing implementation considerations and policy feedback. The position also supports timely, accurate, and coordinated communication with agency leadership, the State Board Office, Legislative Council Staff, legislators, and internal and external stakeholders. Outside the legislative session, the position facilitates cross-unit collaboration among CDE staff to develop and implement education legislation and policies, including state board rulemaking. The position must understand the relationship among proposed legislation, state budget conditions, agency appropriations, program funding, staffing capacity, and implementation requirements.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Policy Development, Analysis, and Implementation 
  • Works collaboratively with the principal policy advisor and legislative liaison to lead cross-departmental policy development and implementation efforts to support legislation, state board priorities, and agency initiatives.

  • Analyze federal and state laws, regulations, SBE rules, and emerging policy issues to inform agency decision-making and program implementation.

  • Research policies and practices in other states and develop recommendations for agency leadership.

  • Facilitate agency workgroups to identify implementation challenges, develop policy options, and recommend solutions.

  • Facilitate equity reviews of proposed and existing internal and external policies, guidance, and procedures in partnership with other stakeholder groups.

  • Draft policy guidance, implementation resources, and statutory language to advance agency and State Board of Education objectives.

  • Gather and assess agency policy and statutory implementation needs and provide recommendations regarding legislative, regulatory, or operational solutions.

  • Collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General to support accurate interpretation and implementation of statutes, regulations, state board rules, and legal guidance.

• Legislative Affairs and Government Relations 

  • Lead the agency's fiscal note process, including coordinating estimates, tracking submissions, and facilitating fiscal note meetings during legislative session, in coordination with CDE’s budget and finance office.

  • Coordinate with program, budget, legal, and executive leadership staff to evaluate the fiscal, staffing, operational, and programmatic impacts of proposed legislation.

  • Identify when proposed legislation may create an unfunded mandate, require additional FTE, affect existing appropriations, redirect program resources, create new grant or distribution responsibilities, or require ongoing administrative support.

  • Distinguish and communicate one-time costs, ongoing costs, local impacts, state impacts, implementation timelines, and future-year obligations.

  • Serve as a liaison between program staff, the Policy Office, the CDE budget team, legislative council staff, the attorney general’s office, and the agency's Legislative Liaison to support effective communication and coordination during legislative sessions and throughout the year.

  • Translate programmatic and operational issues into policy and legislative considerations for internal and external audiences.

  • Provide policy analysis, research, and technical assistance related to proposed legislation and legislative inquiries.

  • Coordinate agency responses to information requests from legislators, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.

  • Develop and coordinate timely legislative updates, bill summaries, fiscal note information, implementation considerations, and policy communications for agency leadership, the State Board Office, CDE staff, districts, schools, and other stakeholders.

  • Support coordinated outreach and engagement with legislators, state board members, agency leadership, and stakeholders regarding legislative priorities, policy implementation, and emerging issues.

• Reporting, Accountability, and Project Management 

  • Lead agency coordination of the State Measurement for Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent Government (SMART) Act reporting requirements, including development of supporting materials for presentations to the Colorado General Assembly.

  • Serve as primary owner of online project management and tracking systems to support legislative implementation, fiscal notes, and other policy initiatives.

  • Facilitate cross-unit planning and coordination, including the development and monitoring of implementation plans for legislation in partnership with other Policy Team members.

• Training and Stakeholder Support 

  • Design and deliver training and technical assistance for agency staff and stakeholders on policy-related topics, including the legislative process, rulemaking, fiscal notes, and reporting requirements.

  • Promote understanding of policy, legislative, and regulatory processes across the agency to support effective implementation and compliance.

  • Develop tools, templates, and guidance to improve the quality and consistency of fiscal estimates, legislative analysis, rulemaking materials, implementation planning, and stakeholder communication.

  • Support program staff in communicating new statutory and regulatory requirements to districts, schools, grantees, and other affected stakeholders.

• Other Duties

  • Perform other duties as assigned by the Deputy Commissioner of Talent and Policy.

MINIMUM EDUCATION  AND EXPERIENCE  REQUIREMENTS: 

This position requires a combination of education and professional experience totaling nine (9) years.

Regardless of the combination used to meet the nine-year requirement, candidates must have at least five (5) years of professional experience developing and/or implementing Colorado education policy. This five-year requirement is mandatory and cannot be substituted with education.

Candidates may qualify through either of the following pathways:

• Bachelor’s degree + 5 years of experience: A bachelor’s degree in public policy, education, economics, political science, or a closely related field, plus at least five (5) years of professional experience developing and/or implementing Colorado education policy.

OR

• Experience only: At least nine (9) years of relevant professional experience, including at least five (5) years developing and/or implementing Colorado education policy.

Relevant education may substitute for general professional experience on a year-for-year basis, but it may not substitute for the required five years of Colorado education policy experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS: 

• Five (5) years of professional experience in developing and/or implementing Colorado education policy.

• Legislative Knowledge: Familiarity with legislative processes, including bill tracking, stakeholder engagement, general policy development, and the fiscal note process.

• Statutory Knowledge: Knowledgeable about Colorado’s education statutes, especially as they pertain to the Colorado Department of Education and our work with schools and districts across Colorado.

• Budget Knowledge and Experience: Experience working on the state budget in Colorado, developing fiscal notes in response to bill drafts, and a solid understanding of the state budget process as a whole.

• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to provide clear updates and adapt style for different audiences, translating from technical policy and budget language to accessible, everyday language, and vice versa.

• Relationship-Building: Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, supporting positive relationships with legislators, board members, and education advocacy organizations, and across multiple teams within the Colorado Department of Education.

• Time Management: Organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely communication, tracking, and completion of assignments, with hourly shifting priorities.

• Supportive Project Coordination: Skilled in coordinating tasks, gathering data, organizing reports, following up with staff members, and ensuring all requirements are met, across teams with no formal oversight.

• Adaptability: Flexibility to respond to evolving legislative priorities and department needs, while managing responsibilities efficiently.

• Judgment and Discretion: Ability to navigate complex political environments with good judgment, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive legislative information.

 

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Two (2) years of professional experience working directly with the Colorado General Assembly, a Colorado state governmental agency, or a Colorado education policy organization, 

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Work extended schedule per business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• DL Not Required: Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete travel requirements.
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state funds and is subject to availability.

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached as a separate document.
• Resume: Required - Attached as a separate document.
• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".

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.**

** Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening. 

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].