Department Information

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.

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
• 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave
• 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

Description of Job

Work Environment:

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8:00 am-5:00 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be occasionally required by business needs
• LIGHT/Office environment:
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
  • Required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force occasionally or 20 lbs frequently
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc
  • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
• Occasional to Frequent travel within Denver or Colorado for Meetings/Training
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location occasionally to frequently

P osition Summary:
This position provides state-level leadership and supports educators in the area of science throughout Colorado. Specific projects that fall under the responsibility of this position include support for standards revision and implementation, grants and initiatives, STEM leadership, and support of research-proven instructional practices in science. This position collaborates with other offices within CDE including the areas of assessment, and educator effectiveness. The science content specialist position lies within the Office of Standards and Instructional Supports and will support the collaborative activities of the team. This position is hybrid, and some travel is necessary to provide technical assistance to districts throughout the state.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Leadership & Accountability
A. Serve as the science content specialist within the Office of Standards and Instructional Support
B. Serve as the department STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) lead
C. Provide state-level leadership and support for science standards implementation, grants and initiatives, educator effectiveness, science assessment, and research-proven instructional practices.

Strategic Outreach, Communication, & Coordination
D. Communicate with CDE staff, schools/districts, education associations, and advocacy and civil rights groups on an ongoing basis regarding science opportunities;
E. Work with CDE’s Communication office and other relevant CDE offices to further develop a science web page with regular communication related to science-related initiatives;
F. Sustain and enhance science education collaboration with state-wide networks;
G. Communicate with state and national science organizations to gather and disseminate state-of-the-art information relative to science teaching and learning.

Policy Leadership, Development, and Implementation
H. Work with the CDE content specialists to support school districts with standards implementation and resource development;
I. Work with other units within the Colorado Department of Education to further the development of quality science instruction;
J. Further the development of quality science instruction through collaboration with state higher education and community partners;

Management and Oversight
K. Manage and determine budget needs for annual science projects and/or initiatives.

L. Other Duties as Assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Education Requirements:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Science Education or a field of study related to the work assignment

Experience Substitution Requirements:

• Six (6) years of experience in Science Education or an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for the required Master's education.

Minimum Qualifications Requirements:

• Demonstrated leadership experience in the K?12 educational system;
• Demonstrated project management and grant administration skills;
• Experience developing and providing professional development for a variety of stakeholders;
• Knowledge of factors contributing to opportunity and achievement gaps and knowledge of effective strategies for closing both gaps;
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills;
• Effective communication and conflict resolution skills;
• Wide range technology skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, website development;
• Knowledge of effective professional development practices and programs both nationally and statewide;
• Knowledge of post-secondary and workforce opportunities in the science field;
• Ability to build and sustain higher education and community partnerships to foster a strong science education network state-wide;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team;
• Ability and willingness to travel as required during the performance of assigned tasks;
• Ability to successfully pass a background check

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications must include:

• 
  Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Resume: Required - Attached to the online application.
• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application
  • Official or unofficial
  • Must list the school name, student name, degree, and degree conferral date
  • Printed or submitted from the school website or a third party (Ex. Parchment/Naviance)

** 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.

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.