Attorney Investigator Remote

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 Medical Family Leave (PMFL)
• 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

Why CDE Wants You

• You are passionate about education and the success of educational programs
• You have a "Service" mindset in everything you do
• You are insightful and empathetic
• You live where you work, and love where you live

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 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.
• Travel within Denver Metro/Downtown for Meetings/Training
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs

Position Summary:
This position provides leadership in the area of special education dispute resolution, including serving as a state complaints officer under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Serve as an IDEA special education state complaints officer.
• Duties involve the timely processing of state-level special education complaints filed by parents and other interested parties or organizations; efficient and effective investigations (identification and analysis of issues, interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, and on-site investigation as necessary); impartial fact-finding and decision-making based upon the sound application of special education legal standards to the facts.
• Assist parents and school personnel in understanding available dispute resolution options.
• Consult with and support ESSU personnel regarding IDEA legal principles.
• Travel as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, SUBSTITUTIONS, CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT & APPEAL RIGHTS
Minimum Education & Experience Requirements:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of any U.S. state.
• Zero to three years of legal experience
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate evidence and pleadings to identify issues for investigation, conduct strategic witness interviews in order to obtain relevant information, and make relevant findings of fact and conclusions of law in state complaint decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to perform legal research and to prepare/write legal documents and decisions with clear issue statements and application of facts to relevant law.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate efficiently and professionally in a wide variety of situations.
• Willingness and ability to travel as necessary.
• Willingness and ability to report to the work location per business needs.
• The ability to pass a background check.

Preferred:
• Experience with special education law (both federal and state)
• Legal experience involving writing, such as a judicial clerkship or litigation/appellate work
• Experience investigating and deciding regulatory complaints or violations _______________________________________________________________________
Competency and Qualification Requirements:

• 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
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, and 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
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as, on a team
• Ability and willingness to travel
• Must be willing and able to submit to and pass a background check.
• Attorney licensure in good standing with a state or federal licensing authority.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Complete Applications must include:

• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Copy and Pasteinto the Supplemental Questions (11,000 character limit, approx. 3 pages)
• Resume: Required - Copy and Paste into the Supplemental Questions (11,000 character limit, approx. 3 pages)
• 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.**
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.