Attorney Investigator - Non-Classified

Full Job Description

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.

CDE strives to incorporate five core values that we uphold in our work internally and externally. If you come to CDE, be prepared to incorporate Integrity, Equity, Accountability, Trust, and commitment to Service in what you do.

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.

A wide salary range is posted for this position, and any job offer is based upon a salary analysis to comply with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The salary analysis considers relevant experience, education, certifications, and state seniority relative to others performing substantially similar work. While most salary offers are made within the posted range, occasionally an offer is made below or above the posted range based upon this salary analysis.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

Requirements

Work Environment:

This position is full-time, federally funded (funding is expected to continue indefinitely unless otherwise indicated in this posting), and is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office with a requirement to report to Work location per business needs).

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• Up to 20% of travel may be required depending on the assigned investigations.
• Overnight travel may be required on a rare occasion.
• Out-of-state travel may be required for conferences once or twice a year.
• Driving Required (Please see Conditions of Employment).
  
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • LIGHT/Office environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
  • CO DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle (OR State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle) to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary:
The CDE seeks an attorney with a passion for public interest work that directly impacts students with disabilities across Colorado. The attorney will join a talented dispute resolution team to impartially investigate special education state complaints and issue final decisions. This writing-intensive role is perfect for someone who thrives on autonomy and values creating clear, objective written content. The attorney is empowered to manage time effectively and meet strict deadlines in a flexible work environment that prioritizes a balanced lifestyle.
The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on the knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

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

Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school and admitted to the Bar of any U.S. state

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Attorney licensure in good standing with a state or federal licensing authority.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate evidence and pleadings to identify issues for investigation, conduct strategic witness interviews 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.
• Ability to remain impartial and objective throughout the work.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate efficiently and professionally in a wide variety of situations.
• Ability to take constructive feedback and recommendations from teams, internal and external.
• 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.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• 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.

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 (up to 5 to 10%).
• Work extended schedule per business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through federal funds and is subject to availability.

Driving Required: To ensure the safety and efficiency of CDE operations, certain positions are designated as "Driving Required." These positions are required to safely operate a motor vehicle or a State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle to complete the travel requirements.

These positions are subject to a Motor Vehicle Records (MVR) check and a valid driver’s license requirement if it meets the following criteria:Travel Threshold: The position requires business-related travel totaling 20% or more of standard working hours; AND

• Operational Necessity: The travel requirements cannot be reasonably or efficiently met by alternative transportation (e.g., public transit, ride-sharing, or rail) due to:
  • Significant travel distances or out-of-state requirements.
  • A high frequency of stops at multiple locations throughout the workday.
  • The need to transport equipment or travel to areas where public transportation is unavailable or impractical.
    
    

Additional Information

Complete Applications must include:

• Transcript: Required if using education to meet MQs - Attached to the online application and meeting requirements as described under "College Transcripts".
• Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required - Attached to application
• Resume: Required - Attached to application
  

FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:

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.

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.

Per the requirements of the Step Pay Program implemented on July 1, 2024, any State employee must be paid a rate that is equal to or greater than the appropriate step pay rate within their classification’s pay range based on completed years in their current class series as of June 30. All current and former State employees must ensure that your entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in your application so that your time-in-series can be calculated accurately.

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.