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.
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.
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, supported by state funding (contingent upon available funds), 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.
- Occasional larger state-wide travel may be required for relevant conferences and convenings within Colorado (5%).
- A Remote (Home) office is required
- Required to report to the work location per business needs.
- Essential Functions (ADAAA)
- SEDENTARY/Office environment:
- Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
- Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
- DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.
- SEDENTARY/Office environment:
Position Summary:Do you love creating website content that keeps your community informed and engaged? Are you an enthusiastic fan of public schools and educators? We're looking for you!
Our Communications Division is hiring for a Digital Communications Coordinator to work across our department to ensure that districts, schools, educators, and families have the information and resources they need.
In this role, you will:
- Serve as a strategic communications expert who helps to make complex information easy to understand;
- Provide expert support to our CDE team members who contribute content to our website;
- Use data and industry best practices to make sure website users have excellent and intuitive experiences; and
- Be part of a team committed to elevating and celebrating Colorado's public schools.
This position is a communications role with strong digital, web, and data responsibilities related to CDE’s public website, intranet, and learning management system. Under the supervision of the Senior Web Manager, the position writes, edits, organizes and supports accurate, accessible and user-centered digital content; provides guidance and support to the department’s web content coordinators; triages and coordinates digital platform and communications requests; supports learning management system-related user management, content and support needs; reviews and analyzes data; and recommends content improvements based on user needs, accessibility, communications standards and platform performance. The position serves as the primary contact and lead for website needs for the Educator Talent Division and works closely with internal partners to clarify requirements, coordinate next steps, communicate status, and ensure clear, useful information for CDE audiences.
The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range; however, it 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:
A. Support Digital Platform-Based Strategic Communications, inclusive of:
- Applying CDE website standards, publishing workflows, and content practices under the direction of the Senior Web Manager.
- Supporting Content Management System (CMS) administration, web request triage, content organization, page updates, and coordination with internal partners, vendors, and Information Management Services.
- Analyzing content needs, audience needs, and program goals to write, edit, publish, and maintain accurate, timely, accessible digital platform content aligned with CDE style, branding, and messaging standards.
- Working with program offices to clarify needs, improve readability, remove outdated information, and support emergency or high-priority updates.
- Supporting Learning Management System (LMS) user access, basic troubleshooting, and communications with course owners; coordinating LMS requests; escalating technical or security issues; and maintaining LMS guidance, user instructions, and support materials.
- Proactively reviewing and revising content to align with CDE web and communications standards.
- Reviewing digital content for accessibility, plain language, usability, and alignment with CDE standards, including identifying issues with navigation, readability, broken links, outdated content, mobile display, or document accessibility and recommending or coordinating improvements.
- Serving as a resource and guide for web content coordinators and staff submitting digital platform requests by developing training materials, guidance, and documentation and providing support on CMS use, content standards, accessibility expectations, and effective digital communication practices.
- Reviewing website, LMS, and digital communications data to identify trends, user needs, and improvement opportunities and preparing reports, summaries, or dashboards to support informed content updates.
- Using approved tools, including AI-assisted tools when appropriate, to support content quality, accessibility, efficiency, and user experience.
B. Provide Digital Content and Data Reporting Support for the Educator Talent Division, inclusive of:
- Working in partnership with the Educator Talent Division as the primary liaison for the division’s website and digital communications needs.
- Creating, updating, and managing division landing pages and web content; providing support with content creation and revision; and adapting content format, tone, and level of detail based on audience needs and program goals.
- Coordinating the development, publication, and maintenance of public-facing Educator Talent dashboards and related digital data products in partnership with business intelligence staff, Educator Talent Research & Impact staff, and subject matter experts in Educator Talent.
- Developing supporting web content, documentation, and communications materials to ensure dashboards are accessible, understandable, and effectively communicate educator workforce information.
- Tracking engagement metrics, website analytics, and usage data for Educator Talent web pages and public-facing dashboards.
- Summarizing findings and recommending content, usability, communication, or product improvements based on data, stakeholder feedback, user needs, and communication objectives.
- Coordinating stakeholder review and supporting continuous improvement of digital communications and dashboard products.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires six (6) years of experience OR a combination of education and experience totaling six (6) years.
Experience Only:
Six (6) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position, such as communications, website management, multimedia journalism, web analytics, public relations, or a similar field.
OR
Education and Experience:
A combination of related education may substitute, on a year-for-year basis, for up to four (4) years of the required experience. Related education may include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, liberal arts, or a closely related field.
AND
At least two (2) years of professional experience must include work assigned to this position/be directly related to the duties of this position, such as communications, website management, multimedia journalism, web analytics, public relations, or a closely related field.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:
- Experience writing and editing website content.
- Experience working with website content management systems (i.e., Finalsite, EdLio, Apptegy, or similar).
- Experience reviewing digital content for accessibility and plain language.
- Experience using website analytics or digital communications data to support content improvements.
- Ability to form strong relationships with stakeholders to facilitate transparent and frequent communication.
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- 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.
- Ability to work with confidential information
- 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.
Preferred Qualifications (Not Required)
- Experience working in a state education agency, public K–12 school or school district, Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), or other local education agency.
- Experience using or supporting users in a Learning Management System (LMS).
- Experience working with Finalsite.
Conditions of Employment (Required):
- Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
- Commuting to the CDE buildings is required.
- Occasional larger state-wide travel may be required for relevant conferences and convenings within Colorado (5%).
- Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (percentage 5%).
- 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 (percentage 5%).
- Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state funds and is subject to availability.
Supplemental Information
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 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.
