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
Position Summary:
The Legislative Liaison supports the Colorado State Board of Education and Department of Education in legislative efforts, representing department priorities before the General Assembly. Reporting to the Senior Legislative Advisor, this role provides critical support in advancing the board’s legislative priorities and building relationships with key stakeholders. The Legislative Liaison represents the State Board and Department of Education before the Colorado General Assembly and is responsible for ongoing communication, legislative tracking, and providing regular updates to state board members and department staff, while assisting with legislative proposal development and policy analysis.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Represent the Colorado State Board & Department of Education before the General Assembly as directed by the State Board of Education in coordination with the Senior Legislative Advisor.
- Register and fulfill all state reporting requirements as the registered Principle State Department Lobbyist per Section 24-1-110, C.R.S.
- Regularly attend and report on actions taken by the Colorado General Assembly, including but not limited to the House and Senate Education Committees and the Joint Budget Committee.
- Coordinate with the department’s Policy Team to respond to requests for information from legislators, legislative staff, other state agencies, advocacy organizations, and other education policy stakeholders.
- Analyze proposed legislation, identifying potential impacts on CDE programs, and assist in drafting bill summaries, updates and talking points.
- Monitor and track the development of legislation related to K-12 education, manage a legislative tracker, and drafts weekly email reports on bill progress for board members and department staff.
- Support relationship-building efforts with key education stakeholders, including legislators, legislative staff, and education advocacy organizations. Facilitate positive interactions and communications between the department and stakeholders to maintain productive partnerships. Builds strong relationships with CDE staff.
- Work with department teams on legislative proposals, assist in identifying legislative sponsors, and communicate with stakeholders to address questions or concerns.
- Assist in preparing board members and department staff for legislative testimonies, hearings, and presentations by gathering materials and drafting initial documents. Support the Senior Legislative Advisor in coordinating logistics and strategy for committee appearances.
- Prepare for and participate in weekly discussions with board members and department staff to identify and develop legislative priorities and positions.
- Coordinate with the department’s Communications Division to respond to media inquiries and relevant requests under the Colorado Open Records Act.
- Actively engage in department-wide trainings, meetings, and initiatives, ensuring that legislative goals align with broader department objectives.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
MINIMUM EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
- Experience: At least 3 years of experience in public policy analysis, legislative tracking, or community-based roles with a focus on policy impact, with a preference for education policy. Experience working directly with a state legislature or General Assembly, and in Colorado, is strongly preferred.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
- Legislative Knowledge: Familiarity with legislative processes, including bill tracking, stakeholder engagement, and general policy development.
- Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to provide clear updates and adapt style for different audiences.
- Relationship-Building: Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, supporting positive relationships with legislators, board members, and education advocacy organizations.
- Time Management: Organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely communication, tracking, and completion of assignments during the legislative session.
- Supportive Project Coordination: Skilled in coordinating tasks, gathering data, organizing reports, and supporting overall legislative initiatives led by the Senior Legislative Advisor.
- 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.
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
- Work extended schedule
- Report to work location daily for the first 6 months minimum
Supplemental Information
Complete Applications must include:
- Completed Online Application: Required – Submitted through our ATS.
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.
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.
