Literacy Curriculum and Assessment 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 position is full-time and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 20% of travel is required within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training and consultations. 
• Overnight travel is required.
• Out-of-state travel is required.
• Driving Required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• 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.
  • CO DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
    

Position Summary:

The Colorado Department of Education's Elementary Literacy and School Readiness Office is seeking a Literacy Curriculum and Assessment Specialist to lead implementation of key Colorado READ Act requirements. This role coordinates READ Act Advisory List reviews, district-based reporting through Unified Improvement Plans (UIP), educator preparation program reviews, fidelity monitoring, and statewide field communications and technical assistance. The position is well-suited for an experienced literacy leader who combines expertise in scientifically based reading instruction with strong project management, stakeholder collaboration, and communication skills.

Under the direction of the Elementary Literacy and School Readiness (ELSR) Director, the Literacy Curriculum and Assessment Specialist supports implementation of multiple Colorado READ Act regulatory requirements. The position serves as the primary team lead for activities related to the READ Act Advisory List of instructional programs, assessments, and professional development and coordinates district-based K-3 reporting through Unified Improvement Plans (UIP).

The position collaborates with CDE offices including Accountability, Exceptional Student Services, data teams, and the Educator Preparation Office to manage review and reporting processes, support authorization and reauthorization reviews, monitor READ Act implementation, and help ensure educator preparation programs support scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction. The role also oversees field communications related to READ Act implementation and develops content for webinars, technical assistance, website information, listserv messages, email responses, guidance documents, and other statewide communications.

The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• READ Act Advisory List Reviews

  • Serve as the primary point of contact and team lead for READ Act Advisory List reviews of instructional programs, assessment programs, and professional development programs.
  • Review and identify changes in statute or rule that may affect the program review process under the supervision of the ELSR Director.
  • Maintain timelines for READ Act reviews and coordinate review activities, staffing, stakeholder participation, vendor submissions, and deliverables.
  • Coordinate contracts with vendors, as needed, to support development of rubrics or scoring criteria for reviews.
  • Develop communication plans for the education field and vendors and build stakeholder relationships that support a fair and open review process.
  • Collaborate with other CDE offices to support advisory list reviews.

  Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Reporting and Review

  • Review and identify statutory or rule changes that may affect READ Act requirements within Unified Improvement Plans.
  • Maintain timelines for READ Act UIP submission requirements and serve as the primary point of contact for district-based reporting of instructional programs.
  • Work with data teams to aggregate district program submissions and coordinate UIP review activities with Exceptional Student Services and Accountability teams.
  • Organize team staffing needs for UIP reviews and provide programming information to CDE leadership as requested.

  Educator Preparation Program Review

  • Serve as the primary contact for coordination of authorization and reauthorization reviews of Educator Preparation Programs with the Educator Preparation Office.
  • Review course content to ensure programs meet licensing requirements for scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction.
  • Conduct virtual and onsite authorization and reauthorization visits and report findings in collaboration with the Educator Preparation Office.

  READ Act Fidelity Monitoring

  • Review and identify changes to statute or rule that may affect district-based implementation of the READ Act.
  • Maintain timelines for monitoring district implementation and serve as the team lead and primary point of contact for READ Act monitoring activities.
  • Plan and develop tracking systems for READ Act monitoring and collaborate with data teams to review information used to determine monitoring needs.
  • Organize team staffing needs for monitoring and provide fidelity monitoring information to CDE leadership as requested.

  READ Act Communication and Technical Assistance

  • Serve as a primary point of contact for education field inquiries related to the READ Act.
  • Develop content for READ Act email responses and delegate inquiries to appropriate team members.
  • Develop content for READ Act webinars and technical assistance sessions related to UIP requirements, Advisory Lists, and monitoring.
  • Support a coordinated system for tracking responses and distributing information through webinars, web content, listserv communications, email, guidance documents, and other field communication methods.

MINIMUM EDUCATION  AND EXPERIENCE  REQUIREMENTS: 

Education and Experience

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in literacy, reading, elementary education, or another related field with coursework supporting expertise in literacy aligned with scientifically based reading instruction.

And

• Five (5) or more years of experience in public education, including classroom experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS: 
Qualifications for Success in the Position: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Demonstrated experience in delivering scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction and professional development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google tools.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, including the ability to multitask, balance competing priorities, track and meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience developing and providing professional development for a variety of stakeholders.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (20%).
  • Must be able and willing to complete approximately 20% position-related travel, including overnight travel and occasional out-of-state travel.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs
  
• Valid Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
• 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 - Attached to the application
• Resume: Required - Attached to the application
• 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].