Family Engagement Specialist - Non-Classified

Role Overview

The Colorado Department of Education is hiring a Family Engagement Specialist in a non-classified position. Applications are open to both Colorado residents and non-residents, but the selected employee must live in Colorado and complete CDE work from within the state.

About the Department

The Colorado Department of Education supports the state’s school districts, schools, teachers, administrators, students, and education partners by providing leadership, resources, accountability, and administrative support. Its work includes carrying out state and federal education laws, distributing funds, overseeing school and district performance, licensing educators, and sharing public education data transparently. The agency emphasizes integrity, equity, accountability, trust, and service.

Work Environment and Conditions

This is a full-time, federally funded role with funding dependent on availability. The position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement and requires a home office. Business needs may require reporting to the work location, and evening or weekend hours may be needed. Travel of up to 10% within Colorado is expected for meetings, training, and conferences, including possible overnight trips for conferences. The role involves a light office environment with extended computer use, sitting, and keyboard/mouse work, along with occasional lifting of up to 10 lbs frequently or 20 lbs occasionally. Duties may also include bending, stooping, pushing, and walking. A driver’s license is not required, but the employee must independently arrange transportation for travel.

Position Summary

The Family Engagement Specialist strengthens outcomes for students with disabilities by creating resources, training, and activities that improve IEP team effectiveness, with a strong emphasis on meaningful parent participation in special education and early dispute resolution. The role also manages the day-to-day operations of the Parents Encouraging Parents Conference (PEP) and the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC).

Key Responsibilities

This position manages family-school partnership initiatives and supports parent engagement across CDE programs and special education systems. It includes budgeting, coordination of conferences and advisory work, development of guidance and training materials, and collaboration with internal and external partners to improve participation, monitoring, and dispute resolution processes.

Additional Information

The State of Colorado offers a benefits package that may include flexible scheduling and workplace options, medical/dental/vision/dependent life insurance with employer contributions, employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance, up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave, 11 paid holidays, vacation and sick leave accruals, PERA retirement, RTD Eco Pass access for eligible employees, and paid professional development opportunities. Salary placement is determined through a compensation analysis that considers experience, education, certifications, and state seniority, so the final offer may fall below or above the posted range depending on the candidate.

Employment with the State of Colorado follows equal opportunity and merit-based hiring principles. This position is funded by federal dollars, so continued employment is subject to funding availability.

Application Requirements

A complete application must include an online application, a cover letter, and a resume. If education is used to meet minimum qualifications, a legible official or unofficial transcript or a foreign credential evaluation showing degree conferral must also be provided. Incomplete applications may be removed from consideration. Resumes and cover letters are not used for minimum qualification screening.

Employment Conditions

Applicants must pass a background check. The selected candidate must agree to the federal funding acknowledgment, be available for extended schedules when needed, report to the worksite when business requires, and arrange their own travel for up to 10% of required trips.

Preferred Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate brings recent direct experience supporting family engagement in IEP meetings, strong conflict management skills, and the ability to remain neutral and process-focused in contentious situations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and manage an annual budget for family-school partnership programs, including PEP and CSEAC.
• Coordinate daily family-school partnership work, parent engagement activities, conference support, and direct response to parent inquiries.
• Create resources and provide technical assistance to colleagues, administrators, educators, disability rights groups, and parent training organizations on meaningful parent participation in special education in line with IDEA and ECEA.
• Work with internal teams to improve systems, general supervision, technical assistance, and professional learning so parent participation becomes more effective in special education and monitoring processes.
• Partner with ESSU and other CDE offices to develop guidance and technical assistance for the field with an emphasis on parent participation in special education and monitoring.
• Help review and update general supervision and monitoring processes as part of ongoing improvement efforts.
• Work with GSM and DR team members to strengthen monitoring, professional development, dispute resolution access, educational benefit review, facilitated assessments, and AU determinations.
• Support State Performance Plan and Annual Performance Report indicators related to parent engagement, including Indicator 8.
• Create parent engagement training, resources, and activities that support early intervention and prevention of special education disputes, including telephone intermediary services, CSEAC, PEP, and facilitative IEP training.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Eleven years of combined education and experience are required.
• A master’s degree or higher in special education or a related field from an accredited college or university is required.
• At least five years of experience in special education is required, with preference for recent direct work supporting family engagement in IEP teams and meetings.
• Experience using culturally responsive practices is needed.
• Demonstrated ability to build strategic partnerships between families and school leaders is required.
• Experience with conflict engagement, alternative dispute resolution, and facilitative communication is needed.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills are required.
• High attention to detail, including proofreading, spelling, grammar, and formatting, is required.
• Understanding of adult learning theory and its use in designing or revising professional learning is needed.
• Ability to balance quality and productivity expectations is required.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders is required.
• Ability to organize work, manage shifting priorities, and meet deadlines is required.
• Ability to take initiative and proactively identify problems and solutions is required.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively is required.
• Ability to lead professional learning in person, in hybrid settings, and virtually is required.
• Ability to use feedback to improve training content and delivery is required.
• Ability to model CDE’s mission, vision, values, professionalism, and customer service is required.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word is required.
• Willingness and ability to travel are required.
• Must be willing and able to complete pre-screening and pass a background check.
• Must be willing and able to travel independently for up to 10% of the time.
• Must be willing to work extended schedules as needed.
• Must be willing to report to the work location as business needs require.
• Must sign acknowledgement that the position is federally funded and contingent on available funding.

Perks

• Flexible scheduling and workplace options, including home, office, and hybrid arrangements where applicable.
• Medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance with strong employer support.
• Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
• Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave.
• 11 paid holidays each year.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Retirement coverage through PERA.
• RTD Eco Pass support for eligible employees.
• Paid professional development opportunities.