Legislative Liaison- Non-Classified

Summary

Legislative Liaison

Help shape education policy that impacts students, educators, and communities across Colorado. As CDE's Legislative Liaison, you'll connect the State Board of Education, CDE, and the General Assembly—analyzing legislation, strengthening key relationships, and helping advance statewide K–12 education priorities. Bring your policy expertise and make an impact on education across Colorado.

Work Environment: This position is full-time, hybrid, and funded through General Funds.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be requiredby business needs.
• 20% of travel is required within the state of Colorado for Meetings/Training/Conferences.
• Driving required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the worklocation per business needs.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
  • May be required to exert up to 10 lbs. of force constantly, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally to move objects (If lifting boxes, documents, mail, or packages of 10 lbs or more).
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, squatting, climbing, etc.

Position Summary: The Legislative Liaison supports the Colorado State Board of Education and Department of Education in legislative efforts, representing department priorities before the General Assembly. Reporting to the Senior Legislative Advisor, this role provides critical support in advancing the board's legislative priorities and building relationships with key stakeholders. The Legislative Liaison represents the State Board and Department of Education before the Colorado General Assembly and is responsible for ongoing communication, legislative tracking, and providing regular updates to state board members and department staff, while assisting with legislative proposal development and policy analysis.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the Colorado State Board & Department of Education before the General Assembly as directed by the State Board of Education in coordination with the Senior Legislative Advisor.
• Register and fulfill all state reporting requirements as the registered Principal State Department Lobbyist per Section 24-1-110, C.R.S.
• Regularly attend and report on actions taken by the Colorado General Assembly, including but not limited to the House and Senate Education Committees and the Joint Budget Committee.
• Coordinate with the department's Policy Team to respond to requests for information from legislators, legislative staff, other state agencies, advocacy organizations, and other education policy stakeholders.
• Analyze proposed legislation, identifying potential impacts on CDE programs, and assist in drafting bill summaries, updates, and talking points.
• Monitor and track the development of legislation related to K-12 education, manage a legislative tracker, and draft weekly email reports on bill progress for board members and department staff.
• Support relationship-building efforts with key education stakeholders, including legislators, legislative staff, and education advocacy organizations. Facilitate positive interactions and communications between the department and stakeholders to maintain productive partnerships. Build strong relationships with CDE staff.
• Work with department teams on legislative proposals, assist in identifying legislative sponsors, and communicate with stakeholders to address questions or concerns.
• Assist in preparing board members and department staff for legislative testimonies, hearings, and presentations by gathering materials and drafting initial documents. Support the Senior Legislative Advisor in coordinating logistics and strategy for committee appearances.
• Prepare for and participate in weekly discussions with board members and department staff to identify and develop legislative priorities and positions.
• Coordinate with the department's Communications Division to respond to media inquiries and relevant requests under the Colorado Open Records Act.
• Actively engage in department-wide trainings, meetings, and initiatives, ensuring that legislative goals align with broader department objectives.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or a closely related field, and at least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in state-level public policy.
• Within the five (5) years of experience, at least three (3) years of professional experience in public policy analysis, legislative tracking, community engagement, or a related role involving policy development, implementation, or impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with a state legislature or General Assembly.
• Knowledge of or experience with education policy.
• Experience interpreting, analyzing, or monitoring proposed legislation and assessing its potential policy or operational impact.
• Experience working with government agencies, policymakers, community partners, or other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Colorado's legislative and public policy environment.

Key Competencies

• Legislative Knowledge : Familiarity with legislative processes, including bill tracking, stakeholder engagement, and general policy development.
• Communication : Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to provide clear updates and adapt style for different audiences.
• Relationship-Building : Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, supporting positive relationships with legislators, board members, and education advocacy organizations.
• Time Management : Organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely communication, tracking, and completion of assignments during the legislative session.
• Supportive Project Coordination : Skilled in coordinating tasks, gathering data, organizing reports, and supporting overall legislative initiatives led by the Senior Legislative Advisor.
• Adaptability : Flexibility to respond to evolving legislative priorities and department needs, while managing responsibilities efficiently.
• Judgment and Discretion : Ability to navigate complex political environments with good judgment, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive legislative information.

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.
• 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 at least 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.

Supplemental Information

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

Job Description

Legislative Liaison

Help shape education policy that impacts students, educators, and communities across Colorado. As CDE's Legislative Liaison, you'll connect the State Board of Education, CDE, and the General Assembly—analyzing legislation, strengthening key relationships, and helping advance statewide K–12 education priorities. Bring your policy expertise and make an impact on education across Colorado.

Work Environment: This position is full-time, hybrid, and funded through General Funds.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be requiredby business needs.
• 20% of travel is required within the state of Colorado for Meetings/Training/Conferences.
• Driving required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the worklocation per business needs.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
  • May be required to exert up to 10 lbs. of force constantly, and/or up to 20 lbs. of force frequently, and/or up to 50 lbs. of force occasionally to move objects (If lifting boxes, documents, mail, or packages of 10 lbs or more).
  • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, squatting, climbing, etc.

Position Summary: The Legislative Liaison supports the Colorado State Board of Education and Department of Education in legislative efforts, representing department priorities before the General Assembly. Reporting to the Senior Legislative Advisor, this role provides critical support in advancing the board's legislative priorities and building relationships with key stakeholders. The Legislative Liaison represents the State Board and Department of Education before the Colorado General Assembly and is responsible for ongoing communication, legislative tracking, and providing regular updates to state board members and department staff, while assisting with legislative proposal development and policy analysis.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Represent the Colorado State Board & Department of Education before the General Assembly as directed by the State Board of Education in coordination with the Senior Legislative Advisor.
• Register and fulfill all state reporting requirements as the registered Principal State Department Lobbyist per Section 24-1-110, C.R.S.
• Regularly attend and report on actions taken by the Colorado General Assembly, including but not limited to the House and Senate Education Committees and the Joint Budget Committee.
• Coordinate with the department's Policy Team to respond to requests for information from legislators, legislative staff, other state agencies, advocacy organizations, and other education policy stakeholders.
• Analyze proposed legislation, identifying potential impacts on CDE programs, and assist in drafting bill summaries, updates, and talking points.
• Monitor and track the development of legislation related to K-12 education, manage a legislative tracker, and draft weekly email reports on bill progress for board members and department staff.
• Support relationship-building efforts with key education stakeholders, including legislators, legislative staff, and education advocacy organizations. Facilitate positive interactions and communications between the department and stakeholders to maintain productive partnerships. Build strong relationships with CDE staff.
• Work with department teams on legislative proposals, assist in identifying legislative sponsors, and communicate with stakeholders to address questions or concerns.
• Assist in preparing board members and department staff for legislative testimonies, hearings, and presentations by gathering materials and drafting initial documents. Support the Senior Legislative Advisor in coordinating logistics and strategy for committee appearances.
• Prepare for and participate in weekly discussions with board members and department staff to identify and develop legislative priorities and positions.
• Coordinate with the department's Communications Division to respond to media inquiries and relevant requests under the Colorado Open Records Act.
• Actively engage in department-wide trainings, meetings, and initiatives, ensuring that legislative goals align with broader department objectives.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Communications, or a closely related field, and at least five (5) years of relevant professional experience in state-level public policy.
• Within the five (5) years of experience, at least three (3) years of professional experience in public policy analysis, legislative tracking, community engagement, or a related role involving policy development, implementation, or impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working directly with a state legislature or General Assembly.
• Knowledge of or experience with education policy.
• Experience interpreting, analyzing, or monitoring proposed legislation and assessing its potential policy or operational impact.
• Experience working with government agencies, policymakers, community partners, or other key stakeholders.
• Knowledge of Colorado's legislative and public policy environment.

Key Competencies

• Legislative Knowledge : Familiarity with legislative processes, including bill tracking, stakeholder engagement, and general policy development.
• Communication : Strong verbal and written communication skills, with an ability to provide clear updates and adapt style for different audiences.
• Relationship-Building : Ability to work collaboratively with both internal and external stakeholders, supporting positive relationships with legislators, board members, and education advocacy organizations.
• Time Management : Organized and able to manage multiple tasks effectively, ensuring timely communication, tracking, and completion of assignments during the legislative session.
• Supportive Project Coordination : Skilled in coordinating tasks, gathering data, organizing reports, and supporting overall legislative initiatives led by the Senior Legislative Advisor.
• Adaptability : Flexibility to respond to evolving legislative priorities and department needs, while managing responsibilities efficiently.
• Judgment and Discretion : Ability to navigate complex political environments with good judgment, maintaining professionalism and confidentiality in handling sensitive legislative information.

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.
• 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 at least 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.

Supplemental Information

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