What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Data Governance position at State of Colorado Job Opportunities?
Department Information
This position is only open to current Residents of Colorado.
Incumbent will be required to 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:
- 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
Description of Job
Work Environment:
This position is Full-time, is Hybrid (Remote/Home Office w/requirement to report to Work location per business needs)
- Office hours are typically Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
- Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
- A Remote (Home) office is required
- Required to report to the work location per business needs
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Essential Functions (ADAAA)
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MEDIUM/Office-Work Site Environment:
- 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.
- May Require exposure to inclement weather, extreme temperatures, high elevations, noise, etc.
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MEDIUM/Office-Work Site Environment:
Position Summary:
Are you someone who loves using data for decisions? Do you enjoy putting structure around chaos? Have you applied the principles of data governance to help streamline and improve efficiencies in a data-driven organization? Do you believe in public education and want to be a part of making it better? If so, you may be the person we are looking for.
CDE is seeking a Director of Data Governance. The person selected will report to the Chief Information Officer, and be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the department's data governance strategy. This individual will help to ensure that data within the department is accurate, secure, used ethically, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The Director will lead senior leadership across CDE in the development of a formal Data Governance Program, updating existing and creating new policies where needed. They will then facilitate the Program operations into the future, leading collaborative groups towards effective collection, use, protection and management of CDE’s critical data, ensuring alignment with both state and federal regulations.
This leadership role requires a deep understanding of data governance frameworks, educational data systems, and the ability to collaborate with parties across the department and external partners at all organizational levels. While having no direct reports, the Director will be responsible for facilitation and coordination of multiple committees and councils and will lead Data Governance activities using a matrixed management method.
CDE is committed to the most effective use of the student and educator data entrusted to us, all with an eye towards improving data quality, reducing duplications, improving privacy and security practices, and maintaining transparency in all data operations. Data is a key lever for CDE, so this important position is critical to Colorado’s public education system success.
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:
Data Governance Strategy & Leadership
- Oversee the identification, classification, and cataloging of data assets across the department.
- Monitor and improve the quality, accuracy, and completeness of data used in decision-making, reporting, and analytics.
- Develop and implement data quality control policies and processes, ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Develop, manage, and update metadata about digital assets to ensure accurate and consistent descriptive data to facilitate identification and retrieval across data systems. Including the implementation of standards and collaboration between departments to ensure consistent data governance practices and high data quality.
- Oversee the identification, classification, and cataloging of data assets across the department.
- Monitor and improve the quality, accuracy, and completeness of data used in decision-making, reporting, and analytics.
- Develop and implement data quality control policies and processes, ensuring adherence to best practices.
- Develop, manage, and update metadata about digital assets to ensure accurate and consistent descriptive data to facilitate identification and retrieval across data systems. Including the implementation of standards and collaboration between departments to ensure consistent data governance practices and high data quality.
- Support the use of data analytics and reporting tools to improve decision-making and educational outcomes.
- Ensure that data reports and dashboards are accurate, timely, and provide actionable insights to leadership.
- Work with the IT and analytics teams to leverage technology in the effective management and use of data.
- Stay current with trends, tools, and best practices in data governance, data management, and education technologies.
- Continuously evaluate and improve the data governance framework to meet evolving needs and challenges.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Experience Only:
- Ten (10) years of relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned to this position
- (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives
- Two (2) of those years must be in formal data governance, either as a data steward or as leader of the data governance effort.
- Four (4) years required as a cross-functional project manager.
OR
Education and Experience:
- A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to the work assigned equal to ten (10) years
- Two (2) of which must have included experience with public or business administration, establishing goals and objectives, as well as developing and managing a budget to achieve program goals and objectives.
- Two (2) of those years must be in formal data governance, either as a data steward or as leader of the data governance effort.
- Two (2) years required as a cross-functional project manager.
QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Preferred Qualifications (Not Required):
- Working knowledge of education-related regulations, including the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Colorado Data Transparency and Privacy Act, and state-specific education data laws.
- Proficiency with data management and reporting tools (e.g., SQL, Tableau, Power BI, etc.).
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to translate complex data concepts to non-technical stakeholders both horizontally and vertically within the organization.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a demonstrated ability to handle complex data challenges.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Master’s degree in Data Science, Information Management, or a related field
- Experience working in state or federal education agencies, especially in K-12 or higher education data systems.
- Project Management skills or experience coordinating or managing key data-related processes in an education organization and bringing diverse stakeholders to consensus.
Conditions of Employment (Required):
- Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
- Work extended schedule per business needs
- Report to work location per business needs
Supplemental Information
Complete Applications must include:
- Completed Online Application: Required - Submitted through our ATS.
- Resume: Required
**Failure to submit a complete application as defined above by the announcement close will result in your application being removed from consideration.**
** 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 "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.
Appeal Rights:
If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for the position, you may protest the action by filing an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the date you receive notice of the elimination.
Also, if you wish to challenge the selection and comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director within 10 days from the receipt of notice or knowledge of the action you are challenging.
Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for more information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures are available at www.colorado.gov/spb.
A standard appeal form is available at: https://spb.colorado.gov/ . If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within 10 days of your receipt of notice or knowledge of the action: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination.
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.
