Director of Data Governance

Summary

Description

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 as compared to others doing 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.

Description of Job

Work Environment:
This position is Full-time, is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office w/requirement to report to the work location per business needs)

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• 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.

Position Summary:The Director of Data Governance leads the agency-wide Data Governance Program within the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). This role is responsible for continuing the development, implementation, and management of the Data Governance Program. This individual will help to ensure that data within the department is appropriately governed, secure, used ethically, efficiently, and within compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Beyond operational data management, the Director of Data Governance promotes governance frameworks, policy development, data stewardship, and cross-agency alignment to ensure education data is managed as a strategic asset supporting student success and public accountability.
The Director works collaboratively with program leaders, technology teams, legal, and privacy offices to create a sustainable governance model that supports data quality, transparency, privacy, and ethical use of education data. This collaborative work is foundational to the role.

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

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Data Governance Strategy and Leadership

• Continue the development and leadership of CDE’s enterprise data governance strategy aligned with the department’s mission and statewide education goals.
• Foster the growth and maintenance of the formal data governance framework, including governance structures, committees, charters, and decision-making processes.
• Facilitate conversations related to data governance priorities and implementation approach across all levels of the department, with a focus on transparent and collaborative decision-making.

Governance Structure and Stewardship

• Facilitate the Data Steward Committee and oversee stewardship roles across program areas.
• Facilitate the Data Governance Council and the continued development of data governance policies, standards, and procedures across the agency.
• Promote a culture of shared responsibility for data quality and responsible data use.

Data Policy, Compliance, and Ethical Use

• Coordinate with subject matter experts to develop policies that support compliance with FERPA and other state and federal education data regulations.
• Partner with legal, privacy, and security teams to ensure governance practices support student data privacy and protection.
• Define governance standards for data access, sharing, transparency, and ethical use of education data.
• Support statewide education initiatives that rely on shared, well-governed data.

Data Standards and Metadata Governance

• Lead the development of enterprise data standards, common definitions, and metadata governance practices.
• Ensure consistency of education data definitions across systems and programs.

Data Governance Program Development

• Establish metrics and maturity benchmarks to evaluate the effectiveness of the agency’s data governance program.
• Develop training and communication programs to promote data governance awareness and adoption.
• Lead continuous improvement of governance processes and practices.

Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does have supervisory responsibilities.  The duties and responsibilities for employees that supervise staff include, but are not limited to the following:

• Models and ensures consistency with organizational values and policies.
• Clearly communicates expectations and standards to staff.
• Conducts timely performance management of staff including formal evaluations, on-going and routine feedback, and holding staff accountable.
• Awareness and approval of employee time worked and work schedules.  This includes approval of time worked for payroll and monitoring and approval of all work schedules including remote work and flex schedules, based upon CDE's policies.
• Provides the applicable tools and resources staff require to perform their job.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM EDUCATION  AND EXPERIENCE  REQUIREMENTS: 
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration, Information Management, Data Governance, Education Policy, or related field. Or equivalent work experience.
• 6+ years of experience in data governance, data policy, or information governance, preferably in the public sector or education to include:
  • Demonstrated experience designing or implementing enterprise data governance frameworks.
  • Experience establishing data stewardship models and governance councils.
  • Knowledge of student data privacy laws, including FERPA.
  • Proven ability to facilitate conversations and improve processes for data governance-related topics
  • Strong ability to lead cross-functional initiatives involving policy, technology, and program leadership.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Public Policy, Information Management, Data Governance, or related field. Or equivalent work experience.
• Experience working in K–12 education data systems or statewide education agencies.
• Demonstrated expertise in leading organizational change management efforts, including guiding cross-functional stakeholders through the adoption of new data governance policies, processes, and technologies.
• Strong ability to facilitate data governance processes with consideration of organizational culture and dynamics
• Familiarity with national education data standards (e.g., CEDS or Ed-Fi).
• Professional certification in Data Governance or Information Management (e.g., DAMA CDMP, DCAM).

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

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required – Submitted through our ATS.
• Resume: Required 

**Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close will 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 "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.

Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.
 
Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.
 
Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.
 
A standard appeal form is available at: https://spb.colorado.gov/ . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.

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 hr@cde.state.co.us.