Licensing Consultant

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
• 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

Work Environment:

• Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
  
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs

Position Summary:
The Licensing Consultant provides holistic individualized guidance, support, and counseling to aspiring educators and educator licensure
candidates via phone, email, online services and in person. The educator Licensing Consultant is the first line support for all educator
licensure applicants and analyzes applications for Colorado educator licenses and issues credentials to qualifying individuals. The licensing
consultant provides friendly and knowledgeable technical assistance for traditional and alternative educator preparation programs and
district and charter school human resource hiring managers.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
A. Via phone, e-mail, online services and in person, serve as a counselor, subject-matter expert, problem-solving team member and
consultant to guide applicants, educator candidates and internal and external stakeholders through credentialing options and licensure
pathways, as well as the application and licensure process.
B. Collaborate with the Colorado educator workforce to provide consultation, information, guidance, technical assistance and support to
candidates regarding appropriate educator preparation pathways to teacher licensure and alternative principal preparation.
C. Consult and advise educators, school district/BOCES HR personnel, and institutes of higher education (IHEs)/designated agency program
representatives regarding traditional and alternative preparation pathways to licensure, including various credentialing options and career
and technical education authorizations and requirements.
D. Provide technical assistance and support to educators, school district HR personnel and IHE/designated agency program representatives.
E. Consult with designated agency personnel regarding educator preparation compliance, candidate requirements, school/district
placements and other nuances of alternative preparation in Colorado.
F. Independently analyze and make recommendations regarding applications for licensure utilizing application data, established guidelines,
theory, principals, concepts, professional standards, Colorado Revised Statute and Colorado State Board of Education rule to approve,
disapprove or problem-solve licensure requests to reach a conclusion that results in fair and equitable treatment of each licensure applicant
and an appropriately issued credential (if applicable), and ensures the integrity of the credential and endorsement requirements.
G. Analyze questions, concerns and process constraints to provide consultation, customer service and solve licensure problems.
H. Strive to maintain an educator licensure application evaluation cycle within 10 business days of application to issue appropriate
credentials in a timely, fair and consistent manner.
I. Serve as an initial point of contact for the Colorado education workforce regarding licensure requirements, pathways to licensure,
fingerprinting and background services and application status.
J. Through direct phone contact, email and online services, serve as a consultant, counselor and main point of contact to assigned
applicants, advising them on licensure concerns additional academic needs and/or content exams, approval options, and alternative
educator preparation programs and other options for credentialing.
K. Through ongoing collaboration with education workforce applicants, utilize judgment and conceptual principles to provide technical
assistance to applicants in consideration of their unique needs, circumstances and experiences to assist the applicant
L. Analyze, interpret, maintain and utilize (via effective and efficient computer skills in the COOL system, Microsoft Office suite and other
online services) up-to-date resource information that reflects current state laws, state board of education rule and regulation, and unit
reference materials and job aids.
M. Other duties as assigned.MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university
Two or more years' experience in a school/education setting working with teachers, special services providers, principals and/or
administrators

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QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:
*Ability to analyze an individual's education as demonstrated through transcripts, experience and other qualifications in light of applicable
state statute and state board rule.

• Strong computer and online/web services skills such as search engines, chat features, Google documents, Microsoft Office products
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and willingness to regularly speak with individuals by phone and/or chat
• Strong attention to detail (to include proofreading work, communications, research, etc.)
• Ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations
• Ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (i.e., other CDE units, school districts, etc.)
• Ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and to meet deadlines
• Takes initiative and exhibits a proactive approach to work
• Ability to think and work both independently and interactively as part of a team
• Ability to sit for long periods
• Exhibits CDE's mission, vision and values by the consistent expression of professional, inclusive, respectful and customer service-oriented

behaviors
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 per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs

Complete Applications must include:

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

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.Employment Type: Full Time