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Job Description

About the Colorado Department of Education
Through setting a clear vision for increasing student performance, CDE continually supports the advancement and improvement of the state’s education system to prepare all learners for success in a rapidly changing global workplace.

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 the public trust through ensuring adherence to laws, strong stewardship of public funds, and accountability for student performance.

Vision
All students in Colorado will become educated and productive citizens capable of succeeding in society, the workforce, and life.

Mission
The mission of the Colorado Department of Education is to ensure that all students are prepared for success in society, work, and life by providing excellent leadership, service, and support to schools, districts, and communities across the state.
In addition to rewarding and meaningful work, we offer excellent benefits:
 

•  Contribution Plan www.copera.org plus 401(k) and 457 plans
• Medical and dental health plans
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account
• Paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability coverage
• 10 paid holidays per year plus paid vacation and paid sick leave
• RTD EcoPass (Denver Metro locations)
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee wellness program
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, and professional development.
• This position is eligible for a hybrid work location (combination of working from home and office)

  We are committed to increasing the diversity of our staff and providing culturally responsive programs and services. Therefore, we encourage responses from people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

 

Employees at CDE  and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
 

• Creates and sustains a positive workplace culture that conveys the value of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organization.
• Encourages additional learning and reflection related to these topics and models these actions.
• Takes swift and appropriate action(s) to stop any discrimination, harassment, and/or microaggressions when discovered, consulting Human Resources as appropriate.
• Completes required training regarding EDI

“ADAAA Accommodations: Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.”

Description of Job

Job Description
The research assistant is responsible for presenting research findings to the library community in multiple formats (written reports, infographics, presentations, etc.), creating, reviewing, and editing LRS content (online, print, etc.), working with LRS staff on evaluations of Colorado State Library projects and services, and contributing to planning, logistics, curriculum development, and instruction for LRS training and continuing education events.  This position also participates directly in research projects with librarians and libraries across the state.

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Designing, Writing, Editing, and Publishing LRS Materials

• Creates content in a variety of formats both online and in print, including infographics as well as narrative reports. This person will need to determine the target audience for this content, what information to include in this content, what format is appropriate for this content, and how best to present the content within the selected format.
• Edits and proofreads content created by other LRS staff
• Verify accuracy and grammar, spelling, word choice, consistency, and conformity to LRS and department standards, as well as verify data and calculations.
• Attention to detail is imperative.
• Designs and produces original visual communications, including infographics.
• Develops and implements a content strategy for blog and other content on LRS.org.

Directly Assisting with Research Projects 

• Makes regular decisions about data collection, statistical analysis, reporting of data, and the creation of survey instruments.
• Determines basic research strategies with other members of the LRS staff and members of the library community.
• Consult various online and print sources for guidance as well as consult with other members of the LRS staff.
• Works closely with other members of LRS and the community to analyze data and create impactful reporting.

Administrative Support Services

• Contribute to planning, logistics, and organizational efforts in support of LRS training and continuing education events
• Aid in the administration of the annual Public Libraries Survey and other surveys/studies as needed
• Provide customer service to internal and external clients including training and technical assistance in the use of the unit’s varied surveys, services, and tools; manage website content, including adding new pages, uploading media, and modifying existing pages
• Coordinate with the administrative assistant in the production of print materials as needed.

Data Management

• Enter and verify research project data using spreadsheets, databases, and online tools.
• With guidance from and in collaboration with LRS staff, analyze data, produce charts/graphs/tables
• Write explanatory narrative for statistical reports.
• Verify data and calculations in LRS’s online data tools and in internal research datasets.

Core Competencies
As public servants to the State of Colorado, we share a common set of competencies that all agencies consider “core” and essential for all staff.   These competencies correlate to our values and include, but are not limited to, our values related to service, quality, teamwork, and equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Communications: Communicates effectively and professionally in a variety of modalities (phone, e-mails, virtual and in-person meetings, etc.); produces quality written documents; appropriately communicates with all levels of employees and customers; asks appropriate questions to resolve problems and issues; maintains open and honest communication; pursues opportunities to improve communications. Engages in and supports respectful dialogue and courageous conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Interpersonal Skills, Integrity, and Teamwork: Recognizes their role as an employee of the State and the responsibility to act with integrity. Values and leverages the expertise, diversity, skills, and knowledge of colleagues and the communities we serve. Takes initiative to help/support others within and outside of their team. Actively makes connections across the organization to advance the goals of CDE. Contributes and supports change and improvements in CDE's operations. Co-creates a welcoming, supporting, safe, affirming, and respectful environment for co-workers and customers. Recognizes value in all individuals' contributions, values, beliefs, principles, and lived experiences.

Customer Service: Projects a positive attitude and expresses behaviors that promote the values, vision, and mission of CDE. Provides timely, responsive, respectful, and effective service to internal and external customers. Provides service that strives to not only meet but also exceed customer expectations. Keeps calm and effectively diffuses difficult interactions.

Accountability, Results, Action, and Leadership: Demonstrates leadership by taking responsibility and ownership for outcomes and actions. Uses data and collaboration to make informed decisions and seek out ways to improve continually. Takes action, meets deadlines, removes barriers, and finds innovative solutions to problems. Demonstrates accountability for work outcomes and focuses on results. Recognizes the need for and applies a transparent approach to work. Exhibits willingness and an open mind to work towards self-awareness and self-reflection in equity, diversity, and inclusion and participates in continuous learning.

Job Knowledge and Application: Demonstrates required skills and knowledge to perform all components of the job effectively and efficiently. Shares job knowledge and assists with problem-solving. Self-identifies areas for improvement. Identifies and acts on innovative or creative ideas or solutions. Uses technology effectively as required for the job and increases efficiencies.
 

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in a field of study related
to the work assignment. Two years of professional experience
in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position.

Substitution
Additional appropriate experience will substitute for the
degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Additional appropriate education will substitute for the required
experience on a year-for-year basis.

APPEAL RIGHTS:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. 
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.  

Conditions of Employment:
 A pre-employment criminal background check will be conducted as part of the selection process.
  Former employees of the State of Colorado MUST have concluded employment in good standing to be eligible for rehire

Covid -19 Guidelines
Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or, submit to twice-weekly serial testing. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination or begin twice-weekly serial testing for COVID-19.

Testing will take place in person and will be considered paid work time. Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
 

Supplemental Information

How to Apply:

 Applicants MUST submit a resume and cover letter attached to the online application.  Applications left blank or marked "See Resume" will not be accepted.
 Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A cover letter (attach to your online application).
• A resume (attach to your online application).

 Only complete applications submitted by the closing date for this announcement will be given consideration. 

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, 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 to perform 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 our  ADAAA Coordinator, Jessica Martella  Human_Resources@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-6600.   

Benefits & Additional Compensation Info

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.