Educator Licensing Consultant - Non-Classified.

About the role

The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) seeks an Educator Licensing Consultant to serve as a trusted resource for educators, school districts, universities, and preparation programs. This role involves guiding applicants through the credentialing options and licensure pathways, analyzing applications, and providing technical assistance.

Responsibilities

• 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 via phone, e-mail, online services, and in person.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Analyze questions, concerns, and process constraints to provide consultation, customer service, and solve licensure problems.
• 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.
• 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.
• Through direct phone contact, email, and online services, serves 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.
• 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 in any way possible.
• 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 rules and regulations, and unit reference materials and job aids.

Requirements

• Minimum Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college/university and at least two (2) or more years of experience in a school/education setting working with teachers, special services providers, principals, and/or administrators.
• Substitutions: Valid or expired educator license preferred.

Qualifications and Conditions of Employment

• Strong computer and online/web services skills, such as search engines, chat features, Google Docs, Microsoft Office (ex, Outlook, OneNote, and Teams) 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 analyze an individual's education as demonstrated through transcripts, experience, and other qualifications in light of applicable state statute and state board rule.
• 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.
• 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, 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.