Job Description

Department Information

STATE OF COLORADO RESIDENCY REQUIRED

NOTE: This announcement may be used to fill multiple openings.

Colorado Governor Jared Polis is committed to building a Colorado For All, a place where everyone has an opportunity to succeed and live the Colorado way of life. Governor Polis is focused on lowering health care costs for hardworking Coloradans, transitioning the state to renewable energy sources, ensuring every Colorado child gets a quality education, and building an economy that works for everyone.

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.

We offer a generous benefits package including:

• 
  11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave

• Medical, dental, and vision plans

• State paid life insurance policy

• Choice of 2 retirement plans (defined benefit or defined contribution)

• Optional 401(k) and 457 plans

• State paid short-term disability coverage

• Additional optional life and disability plans

• Credit Union membership

• Training and professional development

To learn more about State of Colorado benefits visit:


Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program . For more information, go to

This position will have the opportunity for a hybrid schedule (a combination of in-office and remote workplace). **Please note - equipment provisioning and certain onboarding tasks will take place in person, in our downtown Denver office, on the first day of employment.**

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) ensures the delivery of a comprehensive, community-informed, data-driven, high-quality, and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education, and well-being of all Colorado's young children, their families, and early childhood professionals in all settings. CDEC provides access to collaborative, coordinated, quality early childhood programs and support to children, families, and early care professionals in an effort to best prepare Coloradans for future success. CDEC works with many partners, including parents, schools, child care providers, Early Childhood Councils, counties, Community Centered Boards, early intervention service providers, family resources centers, county human services, county public health, businesses, community organizations, and other stakeholders to provide high-quality early childhood and family support programs.


The Division of Community and Family Support (DCFS) provides communities and families with the support they need so children have a strong environment in which to thrive. It comprises fifteen distinct programs that work to ensure all families have equitable and easy access to high-quality services so that all children start school ready to succeed. These programs and services benefit families by strengthening collaboration and coordination between the state and local-level delivery systems. The Division works with many partners, including parents, childcare providers, early intervention services, family resource centers, early childhood councils, community mental health centers, health clinics, county departments, community organizations, and other stakeholders, to provide high-quality early childhood programs and implement effective prevention strategies to mitigate challenges faced by families that affect school readiness and academic success.


The Early Intervention (EI) program provides developmental support and services for children from birth through two years of age who have special developmental needs. EI services can help improve a child’s ability to develop and learn as well as assist families by teaching new ways to promote a child’s development. The EI program provides services such as speech therapy, physical therapy, and other developmental services. EI is a voluntary program offered statewide and does not discriminate based on race, culture, religion, income level, or disability.

Description of Job

What you’ll be doing:

This position provides leadership and guidance related to the development, implementation, and ongoing provision of training for the evaluation workforce to ensure consistency and equity of Early Intervention evaluation activities statewide. Assist in establishing state requirements based on national standards for evaluation, including methods of hearing and vision screening. Provide ongoing technical assistance for EI evaluators in producing and delivering evaluation reports and summaries, working with the EI Data Specialist in ensuring EI providers are appropriately accessing the EI Colorado Provider Portal/Data system.

Provides expertise to inform the design and implementation of training and technical assistance specific to early intervention service providers based on the comprehensive system of personnel development for early intervention personnel and informs the use of Federal Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grant funds allocated for such activities. This position works with higher education and professional provider and early childhood associations to coordinate educational practices with the DEC Key Principles, including the need for the inclusion of the EI model in preservice learning opportunities. As part of this job requirement this position interprets and explains the underlying federal requirements of Part C to those implementing programs at a local level, coordinates with other state level early intervention staff to develop training and technical assistance to improve quality practices specifically for service providers of early intervention, as well as targeted technical assistance for EI Brokers as identified based on noncompliance or concerns. This position provides critical expertise to other EI program staff as a content specialist in child development, inclusive practices, and the field of early intervention overall. This position is also responsible for the coordination and facilitation of the creation of bilingual documents for training materials, required early intervention documents and forms, and public awareness materials. Delivers training and TA in an online and in-person format as required. Acts as a secondary expert on billing private insurance and Medicaid.

Additional position duties include, but are not limited to:

• 
  Coordinates and supports the development and delivery of standardized training for Part C evaluators, including information concerning eligibility, referral, evaluation, and service delivery.

• Coordinates and consults on the development of training to support early intervention service providers to successfully implement the early intervention model in a high-quality manner, including coaching, teaming, primary service model, telehealth, family assessment, evaluation and assessment tools, inclusive practices, and global outcomes.

• As the staff authority, it provides content expertise for pre-service and in-service training, technical assistance, incorporation of significant information, current research-based and promising practices and provides guidance to the development of state, regional, and local training.

• Works with early intervention staff to ensure that curricula incorporate the Key Principles for Early Intervention Service Provision and Division of Early Childhood (DEC) recommended practices.

• Ensures the training curriculum and materials accurately reflect current federal or state policies, interpretations, or procedures; and assures statewide coordination and consistency of content for training and technical assistance on federally required components of EI Part C policies and procedures.

• Modifies training materials to reflect adult learning styles and reflect the utilization of alternative training modalities, such as web-based targeted training modules and distance learning options.

• Implement innovative strategies and activities for the recruitment and retention of qualified Early Intervention (EI) service providers.

• Review and approve requests for personnel waivers in situations where qualified personnel are not available, and services must be provided to meet federal and state requirements.

• Instruct local programs to discontinue use of non-qualified provider(s) and develop collaborative relationships between EI Colorado and EI Providers across the state.

• Guidance to resolve problems would come from appropriate state policies, procedures, administrative rules, etc., as well as all Federal Part C policies and protocols, as appropriate.

• Supports the recruitment and retention of providers.

• Works in partnership with the EI Workforce Administrator to support recruitment and retention of the Early Intervention workforce.

• Responsible for communication and collaboration with providers across the state, including communication through the Provider Portal.

• Work in collaboration with Public Awareness projects to target Early Intervention Providers and service delivery methods to increase knowledge and access to EI.

• Works with other members of the EI program state staff to understand the needs of community EI systems and develop strategies for their support.

• Works with other members of the OPD to understand the needs and requirements of state and community early childhood systems and develop strategies for collaboration

• Educates providers on program requirements to ensure compliance.

• Work with the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to align requirements in early intervention with the requirements of HCPF to streamline processes for providers

• Work with home health agencies to expand services statewide and ensure EI Brokers are adequately using them

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Residency Requirement:

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description: (New)

H4I4XX

Training Specialist IV

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :



Experience Only: Seven (7) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to early childhood, human services, social work, learning and development, psychology, or another related field. Must possess three (3) years of professional experience specialized in training adult learners; experience must encompass training facilitation, technical assistance, and early intervention within the sectors of human services and social work.


OR,



Education and Experience : A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to early childhood, human services, social work, learning and development, psychology, or another related field. Must possess three (3) years of professional experience specialized in training adult learners; experience must encompass training facilitation, technical assistance, and early intervention within the sectors of human services and social work.



Please note: The required experience must be substantiated within the work experience section of your application and in the supplemental questions. Your resume will not be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications; only the work experience section and supplemental questions of your application will be reviewed to determine this. “See Resume” statements on the application will not be accepted. In addition, part-time work will be prorated.



Substitutions:
Additional related experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis.
Additional appropriate education in a related field may substitute for the experience requirement on a year-for-year basis.



DEFINITION OF PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE :
Work that involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.



Preferred Qualifications:

• State of Colorado experience related to the duties of this position
• Experience in providing early intervention services to children in Colorado as a qualified early intervention professional.
• State experience relevant to this position
• Experience in developing competency-based training for adult learners
• Project Management Experience - experience applying project management and change management best practices to ensure projects, processes, and change management activities are successfully executed
• Performance Management - experience creating key performance indicators (KPIs), tracking results, analyzing outcomes data, and implementing performance improvement strategies
• Early Childhood Experience - familiarity with the early childhood programs, and/or early intervention
• Public Sector Experience - experience working in local, state or federal government
• Proficiency in Google Suite, including Gmail, Meetings, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Forms and Microsoft Office Suite, specifically PowerPoint and Excel
• Ability to relate to diverse stakeholder groups, develop audience-appropriate messages, and adapt strategies to various audiences
• Proven work experience with Early Intervention, IDEA, and Part C of IDEA
• Experience leading projects with a team of peers and facilitating review and approval workflows with leadership
• Experience managing multiple high-stakes projects with multiple deliverables simultaneously
• Ability to work well with project stakeholders regardless of position or authority, including executive sponsors, team members, department heads, customers, vendors, and staff
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and public speaking skills
• Excellent leadership and team-building skills
• Ability to work effectively with various key stakeholders, speak and write authoritatively and compellingly, resolve communication problems, and manage competing interests
• Ability to effectively manage change, including experience creating change management tools such as communication plans, sponsor roadmaps, coaching/training plans, etc.
• Ability to problem-solve complex issues promptly
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, collaborative, team-oriented, mostly virtual work environment
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication and public speaking skills

Highly Desired

• Exceptional attention to detail
• Open-minded
• Comfortable with ambiguity
• Performs well under pressure
• Collaborative
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Analytical
• Flexible
• Creative
• Emotionally Intelligent
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills
• Resolves conflict effectively
• Experience working in the early childhood field in a leadership role

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicants must pass a thorough background check prior to employment.
• Employees who have been disciplined, terminated, resigned in lieu of disciplinary termination, or negotiated their termination from the State of Colorado must disclose this information on the application.

• Occasional travel (up to 10%) is required. This may include overnight stays and the ability to travel in various weather or environmental conditions.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email ([email protected]), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Supplemental Information

How to Apply (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)

Please note that ONLY your State of Colorado job application will be reviewed during the initial screening; if you submit a resume and cover letter, they will be reviewed in later stages of the selection process. Therefore, it is paramount that you clearly describe all your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

Complete Applications must include the following documents:

• A complete CDEC Application for Announced Vacancy (please submit online using the green 'APPLY' button at the top of this announcement)
• A complete Supplemental Questionnaire (The questionnaire is part of the online application. You will be prompted to answer them as you are completing your online application.)
• A cover letter that describes your interest in this position, how your experience aligns with the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Cover letters must be uploaded as an attachment to your online application. Cover letters will not be accepted after the closing date and time of the announcement.
• If you are a veteran, a copy of your DD214. Please submit this as an attachment to your online application.

Your application will be reviewed against the minimum qualifications for the position. If your application demonstrates that you meet the minimum qualifications, you will be invited to the comparative analysis process, which is described below.



Comparative Analysis Process

The comparative analysis process will consist primarily of a review of applications against the minimum and preferred qualifications of this position. Applications will be reviewed in comparison to all others in the applicant pool in order to identify a top group of candidates who may be invited for a final interview. Depending on the size of the applicant pool, additional selection processes may be utilized to identify a top group of candidates. Applicants will be notified of their status via email.

Failure to submit properly completed documents by the closing date will result in your application being rejected.

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.

Transfer, Non-Disciplinary Demotion or Reinstatement
If you believe that you are eligible to be considered as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement to this vacancy, you must submit a completed application following the directions in this job announcement and you will be included in the selection process along with other qualified applicants. If you are the finalist for this position after the selection process, Human Resources will confirm your eligibility to be appointed as a transfer, non-disciplinary demotion, or reinstatement applicant.

ADAAA Accommodations:
CDEC 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 the HR Business Partner, Jenny Nguyen @ [email protected].

The Department does not offer sponsored visas for employment purposes.

Technical Assistance:

If you experience difficulty in uploading or attaching documents to your online application, or for any other technical difficulties, call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 anytime between 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. (Pacific Time).

HOW TO APPLY: Please submit an online application for this position at Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

IF NOT APPLYING ON-LINE, SUBMIT APPLICATION TO:
Online applications are strongly preferred. If you are unable to submit an online application, please reach out to the contact listed. Please note, all applications must be received by the closing date listed on the job posting.

DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION:
[email protected]


METHODS OF APPOINTMENT: Appointment to the vacancy or vacancies represented by this announcement is expected to be from the eligible list created. However, at the discretion of the appointing authority, the position(s) may be filled by another method of appointment for a valid articulated business reason.

Job Tags

Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Work at office, Local area, Remote work, Work from home, Visa sponsorship, Flexible hours, Night shift

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