This position is not part of the classified personnel system; applications will be accepted from Residents and Non-Residents of Colorado.
Incumbent will be required to live in and complete work for CDE within Colorado.
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:
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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.
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Premier medical, dental, vision, and dependent life insurance options. All with a generous employer contribution keeping employee costs as low as possible.
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Employer-paid short-term disability and life insurance.
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Up to 160 hours of Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML).
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11 paid holidays per year.
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Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals.
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Retirement through the Public Employees Retirement Association (PERA) www.copera.org.
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Employer-paid RTD Eco Pass (certain restrictions may apply).
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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.
Work Environment:
This position is full-time, state-funded (funding is contingent upon the continued availability of those funds), and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.
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Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
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Approximately 25% of travel required within the State of Colorado for meetings/trainings and consultations.
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Overnight travel is required.
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Out-of-state travel is required.
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Driving Required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
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A Remote (Home) office is required.
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Required to report to the work location per business needs.
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Essential Functions (ADAAA)
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LIGHT/Office environment:
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Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
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May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
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Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
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Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
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Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
Position Summary:
Colorado seeks an experienced, collaborative, and forward-looking library leader to serve as State Librarian. The Colorado State Librarian sets the vision for, and leads the implementation of, the Colorado State Library’s statewide programs, services, partnerships, and resource-sharing efforts to strengthen library service across Colorado. The State Librarian oversees library development, talking book services, state publications, institutional library services, statewide resource sharing, community outreach, state and federal grants, research, and emerging initiatives, and provides executive leadership for approximately 40 employees and an annual budget of approximately $10 million.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Statewide Library Leadership and Service-
Provides leadership and vision for the Colorado State Library and libraries across Colorado in support of formal education, lifelong learning, professional development, services to underserved residents, and the sharing of resources, expertise, and systems statewide.
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Serves as a thought leader on library issues and communicates with leaders in Colorado and nationally about Colorado’s vision, priorities, and goals for exemplary library service.
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Works with libraries, library groups, state agencies, educational partners, and library users to develop and implement programs that advance and improve library services statewide.
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Ensures that public and school libraries are connected to broader K-12 education priorities, including opportunities for collaboration in support of early literacy initiatives.
Strategic Planning, Policy, and Compliance-
Leads, develops, and implements the strategic planning process for Colorado State Library.
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Collaboratively develops and implements Colorado’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) five-year plan, aligning vision, resources, and goals for Colorado libraries.
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Administers applicable state and federal library laws and ensures that Colorado State Library programs and services comply with relevant requirements.
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Provides information and advice on library matters to the State Board of Education, the Commissioner, Chief External Relations Officer, Colorado Department of Education leadership teams, and other organizations in Colorado.
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Supports planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs, services, and initiatives that advance the goals of the Colorado State Library and strengthen libraries statewide.
Staff and Organizational Leadership-
Provides leadership to Colorado State Library staff in a cooperative, team-based environment.
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Supports a positive workplace culture grounded in collaboration, communication, accountability, and shared commitment to statewide library service.
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Leads through supervisors, managers, functional leads, project leads, and cross-departmental teams to advance organizational priorities and support effective decision-making.
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Promotes professional development, leadership growth, and effective coordination across programs and service areas.
Budget, Grants, and Resource Stewardship-
Works in cooperation with CDE and Colorado State Library fiscal leaders to create, implement and revise a budget that supports the State Library’s vision, priorities, programs, and legal responsibilities.
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Respond to state or federal budget changes while maintaining alignment with State Library priorities.
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Ensures compliance with applicable state and federal fiscal guidelines, including Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) requirements and reporting expectations.
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Oversees state and federal grant-related responsibilities for library materials, services, programs, and statewide initiatives.
Partnerships, Communication, and Professional Engagement
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Works closely with the Colorado Association of Libraries, the Colorado Library Consortium, library consortia, state agencies, educational partners, and other organizations to further library and learning goals in Colorado.
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Builds and maintains statewide and national relationships that support collaboration, resource sharing, professional development, improve library service to Coloradans, and inform and educate the public about libraries.
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Participates in relevant state, regional, and national professional organizations and meetings, including groups such as the Colorado Association of Libraries, American Library Association, Chief Officers of State Library Agencies, and the Western Council of State Librarians, as appropriate.
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Represents the Colorado State Library in professional, governmental, educational, and community settings.
Leadership Competencies-
Knowledge of current issues and trends affecting libraries, including the needs and operating contexts of public, school, academic, institutional, special, and state library environments.
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Knowledge of state-level library service, federal and state library programs, LSTA planning, grant administration, resource sharing, professional development, and statewide initiatives.
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Ability to provide strategic leadership across a complex statewide service environment with sound judgment, transparency, accountability, and a commitment to public service.
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Ability to coach, develop, and support collaborative teams, positive workplace culture, and team-based decision-making.
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Ability to contribute to organizational planning, strategy, service development, implementation, and evaluation.
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Ability to manage administrative responsibilities such as budgeting, financial management, personnel leadership, project coordination, planning, policy development, and resource alignment.
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Ability to communicate clearly and effectively through public speaking, interpersonal communication, written communication, and presentations to professional, governmental, and public audiences.
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Commitment to literacy, lifelong learning, education, equitable access to library services, and service to historically underserved communities and populations.
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Ability to work collaboratively across organizations, including with library leaders, government partners, community partners, educational institutions, professional associations, and internal teams.
Supervisory Responsibilities
This position does have supervisory responsibilities. The duties and responsibilities for employees who supervise staff include, but are not limited to, the following:
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Models and ensures consistency with organizational values and policies.
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Clearly communicates expectations and standards to staff.
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Conducts timely performance management of staff, including formal evaluations, ongoing and routine feedback, and holding staff accountable.
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Awareness and approval of employee time worked and work schedules. This includes approval of time worked for payroll and monitoring and approval of all work schedules, including remote work and flex schedules, in accordance with CDE's policies.
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Provides the tools and resources staff need to perform their jobs.
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
This position requires seven (7) years of experience and a Master's degree in library and information sciences (MLIS) from an institution accredited by the American Library Association.
Education and Experience
And
At least seven (7) years of progressively responsible library experience, and five (5) of which shall be in administrative positions (24-90-104 (3) CRS) in large library-related organizations such as a state library, library, other consortia, or the equivalent
Demonstrated experience supervising staff who supervise others, or equivalent experience leading through managers, functional leads, project leads, or cross-departmental teams.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:-
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
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Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
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Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.
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Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).
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Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
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Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.
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Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized.
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Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.
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Ability and willingness to travel.
Preferred Qualifications:-
Leadership experience across multiple types of libraries, such as public, school, academic, special, or state library environments.
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Executive or senior-level leadership experience in building workplace culture, developing leadership teams, and supporting organization-wide decision-making is prioritized.
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Experience leading in budget- or staff-constrained environments.
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Experience communicating with staff, governing bodies, elected or appointed officials, media, public audiences, or statewide partners.
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Demonstrated leadership in literacy, lifelong learning, education, equitable library service, and support for historically underserved communities and populations.
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Experience building statewide or cross-sector partnerships with libraries, government agencies, educational institutions, community organizations, or other community partners.
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Experience with state-level library service, LSTA planning or implementation, federal or state grant administration, statewide initiatives, or public-sector administration
Conditions of Employment (Required):-
Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
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Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (25%).
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Work extended schedule per business needs.
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Report to work location per business needs.
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Valid Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely complete travel requirements/operate a State of Colorado Fleet Motor vehicle.
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Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through state funds and is subject to availability.
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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:
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Travel Threshold: The position requires business-related travel at least 20% or more of standard working hours; AND
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Operational Necessity: The travel requirements cannot be reasonably or efficiently met by alternative transportation (e.g., public transit, ride-sharing, or rail) due to:
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Significant travel distances or out-of-state requirements.
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A high frequency of stops at multiple locations throughout the workday.
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The need to transport equipment or travel to areas where public transportation is unavailable or impractical.
Complete Applications must include:
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Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
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Cover Letter: Required - Attached as a separate document.
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Resume: Required - Attached as a separate document.
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References: Required - Attached to the online application.
** Resumes and Cover Letters WILL NOT be reviewed for minimum qualification screening.
FOR CURRENT OR FORMER EMPLOYEES OF THE STATE OF COLORADO:
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.
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 "
[email protected]" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam-filtered email.
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
[email protected].
