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Posted: January 16, 2026 (1 day ago)

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CASFA Program Manager - Transparency Posting

State of Colorado

Colorado Department of Higher Education

Fresh

Location

Salary

$65,246.51 - $67,937.74

per year

Closes

January 20, 2026More State jobs →

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves leading the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA) program by creating plans to help students complete applications, coordinating with various groups, and improving the system through research and updates.

The role supports outreach efforts in higher education financial aid without supervising others.

It's a good fit for someone organized and experienced in program management, policy development, and working with stakeholders in education or government.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited institution (in relevant field like education, public administration, or related)
  • Experience in program management, assessment, and implementation of improvements
  • Strong skills in stakeholder coordination, including facilitating working groups and providing technical assistance
  • Knowledge of financial aid processes, policy development, and legislative monitoring
  • Proficiency in data collection, evaluation, report preparation, and creating marketing materials
  • Ability to manage requests for proposals, evaluate vendors, and work with software developers on system upgrades
  • Excellent communication skills for presentations, briefings, and collaboration with higher education institutions

Full Job Description

Internal Transparency Opportunity

This announcement is open only to Current CDHE employees within the State of Colorado. The announcement is for transparency purposes only to comply with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. Only applications from eligible individuals currently employed within the above office will be accepted.

Under general supervision, the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA)Program Manager assists the Outreach team in creating a statewide plan for CASFA completion.

The CASFA Program Manager serves as the lead for the CASFA program, manages completion efforts at the local and state levels and is responsible for both research activities and program coordination of multiple stakeholders.

Supervision Exercised

This position does not supervise any employees.

Scope of Responsibilities

This intermediate level position is responsible for independently performing specialized duties in support of the Department of Higher Education’s Outreach Office by managing the CASFA program.

Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures, practices and policies of the work unit.

Requirements

The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.


  • Conduct a program assessment of CASFA, which includes identifying and effectively implementing systems improvement opportunities
  • Maintain the CASFA program by working in tandem with the communications team to prepare marketing materials, fact sheets and tracking documentation; providing internal and external technical assistance; collecting and evaluating data and preparing reports; implementing efficiencies across programs; and creating and reviewing internal and external documents for completeness and accuracy.
  • Facilitate Colorado Association of Financial Aid Administrators (CAFAA) working group with external stakeholders
  • Manage requests for proposal process, evaluate vendor proposals, draft scope of work for contract, assist software developers with data migration, provide content expertise and incorporate required statutory improvements for software implementation.
  • Work with software companies to create streamlined processes, implement system upgrades, update the application as needed
  • Create and implement new CASFA policy in collaboration with Department and stakeholders
  • Lead the policy priorities of CASFA by monitoring related legislation and informing policy discussions and track existing legislation
  • Orient and brief the Department and Commissioners of Higher Education on CASFA programs and policies
  • Develop agenda items to bring for discussion with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) and the Department
  • Aid and assist financial aid directors from institutions of higher education in the state to answer questions and identify and implement system improvements
  • Coordinate with and deliver presentations at other Department events and training courses


Qualifications

Education and Experience

Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Bachelor’s or graduate degree from an accredited university or college in research, higher education or related field

Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor’s degree

Experience:

  • Four (4) years of experience in project management, grants management, education or related industry
  • Experience working with applicants, students and parents regarding financial aid, scholarships, work-study employment and (FASFA)
  • Bi-lingual(Spanish) speaking and writing.

Licenses and Certifications:

  • Valid Colorado driver’s license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience in presenting technical information to nontechnical audiences and in leading collective decision making.
  • Knowledge of public policy issues related to higher education and the role of administrative agencies in the executive branch.
  • Knowledge of analytical methods and techniques used in higher education finance or financial aid;

Knowledge of:

  • Advance office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams)
  • CASFA program, expert level
  • Public policy issues related to higher education and the role of administrative agencies in the executive branch. Analytical methods and techniques used in higher education finance or financial aid

Ability to:

  • Read and interpret new and existing statutes to identify the impact of proposed legislation on the department
  • Work effectively in both independent and team situations
  • Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders
  • Analyze program data at an institutional and system wide level
  • Apply time management skills to prioritize work
  • Present technical information to nontechnical audiences
  • Develop and deliver effective presentations to various audience members
  • Apply time management skills to prioritize work
  • Apply culturally responsive practice
  • Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner
  • Communicate effectively, both written and verbally
  • Communicate in English and Spanish strongly preferred

Additional Information

Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)

The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.


  • Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
  • Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
  • Occasionally you may push or pull an object
  • Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
  • Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
  • Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
  • Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires toHR@dhe.state.co.us

Typical Working Conditions

The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures.

Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday– Friday 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

  • Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.
  • Notice

    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position.

    They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

    All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed.

    The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.

    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, 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 Higher 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 to perform 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 our Human Resource Directorat HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.

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    Posted on NEOGOV: 1/16/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 1/17/2026

    Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-colorado-5203117