Director of Career Connected Learning and Workforce Innovation

Director of Career Connected Learning and Workforce Innovation

Salary

$6,699.12 - $6,975.50 Monthly

Location

Denver Metro, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

0629261214

Department

Colorado Department of Higher Education

Opening Date

06/30/2026

Closing Date

7/13/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Primary Physical Work Address

1600 Broadway, Denver, CO 80202

FLSA Status

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Department Contact Information

HR@dhe.state.co.us

Type of Announcement

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. 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.

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

Join Our Team

This announcement is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system.

This posting is open to both current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the time of application. However, please note that upon hire, you will be required to establish residence within the State of Colorado.

Position Description

The Director of Career Connected Learning and Workforce Development serves as a key program leader within the Department, coordinating the vision for the CO-WIL Community of Practice and supporting statewide alignment to ensure career-connected learning is integrated into the postsecondary experience in Colorado. This position provides administrative oversight to the Colorado Work Integrated Learning (CO-WIL) Program Manager and collaborates to align higher education's career services and workforce development units to meet the economic needs of the state of Colorado.

Supervision Exercised

This position supervises one (1) employee: CO-WIL Program Manager

Scope of Responsibilities

This is an intermediate-level management position responsible for the implementation, cross-agency coordination, and operational oversight of the career-connected learning and workforce development efforts for the Department of Higher Education. The incumbent manages complex, systemic program initiatives involving administrative accountability and collaborative decision-making responsibilities, including tracking program evaluations, assisting with state-level policy implementation, and executing defined strategic objectives. The duties require a strong level of independence, initiative, and professional discretion within established statutory guidelines.

Description of Job

Job Duties

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.

• Coordinate with the Chief Educational Impact Officer and Director of Industry Partnerships to support the statewide agenda for workforce mobility and social equity.
• Provide day-to-day leadership and guidance to the CO-WIL Program Manager, ensuring the CO-WIL Community of Practice effectively connects with the broader CO-WIL Consortium and state workforce goals.
• Manage the statewide CDHE Career Connected Campus Designation review process, ensuring institutional submissions align with established state criteria and providing professional feedback to institutional staff.
• Convene and facilitate meetings with Colorado's 2-year and 4-year career services and workforce development managers to coordinate institutional efforts into a cohesive statewide strategy.
• Collaborate with the DHE Student Success and Academic Affairs team to help integrate career and academic advising structures across postsecondary systems.
• Engage and provide institutions of higher education access to relevant statewide workforce development resources, data, and reports.
• Participate in cross-agency meetings to discuss higher education's role in developing talent for the state and advocate for the role of higher education career services units in workforce development.
• Support policy development and handle the practical implementation of workforce and career-connected learning initiatives.
• Represent the Department on the State Apprenticeship Agency's State Apprenticeship Council as a non-voting ad-hoc member.
• Represent the Department at Education and Training meetings with the Colorado Workforce Development Council.
• Connect resources available to postsecondary students and local workforce development centers.
• Work with institutions of higher education and other state agencies to apply for federal and state grants related to workforce development.
• Support and participate in the Department's efforts to align with career-connected learning and workforce development, including leveraging outside intermediaries, associations, and vendors to maximize work-based learning and employment opportunities for Colorado's higher education students.
• Proactively explore, evaluate and apply AI tools to build efficiencies into unit systems, processes and workflows; accelerates analysis and reporting; and support ideation and innovative program design, while modeling responsible and ethical AI use consistent with department and state guidance.
• Champion the adoption of effective and responsible AI practices within the unit and among institutional career services and workforce development partners, in alignment with the department's AI related initiatives.
• Network with and utilize resources from national organizations.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

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 the knowledge and abilities would be:

Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in education, higher education, public policy, human resources, business administration, or a related field.

Experience:

Five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience working within postsecondary career services or workforce development within an educational organization or state agency of higher education

Licenses and Certifications:

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

Knowledge of:

• Comprehensive understanding of career advising within postsecondary systems, including the ability to intentionally connect career development to academics, co/curricular experiences, faculty partnerships.
• Understanding of current topics in postsecondary career services and workforce development including postsecondary work-based learning and work-integrated learning ecosystems and innovations.
• Standard office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams).
• State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Practical applications of generative and analytical AI tools for operational efficiency, process improvement, data synthesis, creative problem solving, including their limitations and responsible-use considerations.

Ability to:

• Manage multiple complex projects across state agencies and systems of education.
• Work effectively in both independent and team situations.
• Manage sensitive issues and confidential information.
• Facilitate meetings with various audience members.
• Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner.
• Communicate effectively, both written and verbally.
• Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy.
• Apply time management skills to prioritize work.
• Read and interpret new and existing statutes to identify the impact of proposed legislation on the department.
• Research, synthesize and make relevant recommendations.
• Analyze data and create presentations for various audiences.
• Learn new technology tools (e.g., AI use, project management software).
• Experiment with and integrate AI and other emerging technology tools (e.g., project management software) into daily work to streamline processes, strengthen systems, generate ideas, exercising sound judgment regarding accuracy, data privacy, and appropriate use.

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 accommodations 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 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

Supplemental Information

• 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 to HR@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.
• The position may require periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state including overnight stays.

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 Director at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

I understand the condition of employment means I must be a resident of Colorado; I attest to this condition:

• Yes
• No

02

To move forward in the hiring process, you must upload a copy of your cover letter and resume. Have you uploaded your resume and cover letter?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/