Assistant Commissioner- Non-Classified

Salary : $145,000.00 - $158,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver Metro, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01143-AsstCommr-PPP-1026
Department: Department of Education
Division: Office of the Commissioner
Opening Date: 10/19/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: Downtown/Denver Metro/Eligible for a hybrid (office/remote) work environment.
FLSA Status: Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.
Department Contact Information:
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.

Department Information
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.

Description of Job

Work Environment:
This position is full-time, supported by state funds (contingent upon funding availability), and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 30% Travel required within Denver Metro/Downtown Within State of Colorado for Meetings/Training.
• Driving Required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location three days/week.
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
  • LIGHT/Office environment:
    • Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time.
    • May be required to lift and move up to 10 lbs of force frequently or 20 lbs occasionally.
    • Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
    • Light work usually requires walking or standing to a significant degree.
  • DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle (OR State of Colorado Fleet motor vehicle/Colorado DL required) to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary:
The Assistant Commissioner of Student Pathways and Engagement provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and operational oversight for the Student Pathways and Engagement Division, encompassing the Adult Education Initiatives Office (AEI), Office of Student Support (OSS), Dropout Prevention and Student Re-Engagement Office (DPSR), Migrant Education Program (MEP), School Health Services Office (SHS), and Health Education Services Office (HES).
The position is accountable for establishing and executing division-wide strategic priorities, directing programs and operations through subordinate leadership, overseeing fiscal and human resources, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state requirements, and evaluating organizational performance and outcomes.
As a member of CDE's executive leadership, the Assistant Commissioner advises the Commissioner and Commissioner's Leadership Team on matters within the division's scope and exercises delegated executive authority to make organizational, operational, and programmatic decisions consistent with department priorities.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Policy/Program Development and Implementation (35%)

• Provide executive direction and oversight for the development, implementation, and administration of state and federal education policies, programs, statutes, regulations, and State Board rules within the Student Pathways and Engagement Division.
• Establish division-wide policy and program priorities, directing subordinate leadership in the development of operational frameworks, implementation strategies, procedures, and accountability measures.
• Exercise delegated decision-making authority regarding division program operations, policy implementation, regulatory compliance, and resolution of complex issues affecting multiple subordinate units or offices
• Direct the evaluation of existing programs, policies, and implementation practices to determine effectiveness, identify systemic challenges, and establish priorities for improvement or redesign.
• Oversee compliance with applicable federal and state statutes, regulations, funding requirements, and State Board rules, ensuring subordinate leadership implements appropriate monitoring, corrective action, and accountability processes.
• Provide executive review and direction for policy recommendations, rulemaking proposals, legislative analyses, and State Board materials originating within the division.
• Advise the Commissioner, State Board of Education, and department leadership on significant policy matters, legislative developments, program risks, and strategic implications affecting the division's areas of responsibility.
• Direct coordinated policy and program implementation across subordinate offices, resolving competing priorities, overlapping responsibilities, and complex cross-program issues.
• Establish expectations for program evaluation, performance monitoring, continuous improvement, and evidence-informed decision-making across the division.
• Identify emerging statewide needs and determine division-level programmatic and policy responses within delegated authority, recommending department-wide policy or statutory changes when necessary.

Partner Engagement and Customer Service (25%)

• Serve as CDE's executive representative for matters within the Student Pathways and Engagement Division, engaging state and federal agencies, educational organizations, legislative stakeholders, professional associations, and community partners.
• Establish and direct division-wide stakeholder engagement and interagency partnership strategies to advance statewide educational priorities and improve coordination of services and programs.
• Exercise delegated authority to represent the department in executive-level discussions, negotiations, and collaborative initiatives concerning division programs, policies, and strategic priorities.
• Direct the development and implementation of strategic partnerships with state agencies, educational institutions, school districts, community organizations, and other entities to advance division goals and improve statewide service delivery.
• Provide executive leadership in coordinating cross-agency initiatives involving CDHE, CDPHE, HCPF, BHA, CCCS, CWDC, CDHS, CDLE, and other partners whose responsibilities intersect with the division's programs.
• Establish division-wide expectations for stakeholder engagement, communication, responsiveness, and customer service, holding subordinate leadership accountable for consistent and effective implementation.
• Advise the Commissioner and department leadership on emerging stakeholder concerns, interagency challenges, statewide service gaps, and opportunities for coordinated policy or programmatic responses.
• Represent the department in legislative and public policy discussions, in coordination with CDE's policy team and within delegated authority.
• Direct the resolution of significant interagency or stakeholder issues that affect multiple programs or organizational units, including establishing coordinated responses and recommending executive action when appropriate.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of major partnerships and external engagement strategies, directing adjustments to strengthen statewide outcomes and alignment with department priorities.

Division Leadership (20%)

• Direct and oversee all organizational units, offices, and programs within the Student Pathways and Engagement unit Division, establishing division-wide expectations for operational performance, accountability, service delivery, and achievement of strategic priorities.
• Exercise delegated executive authority over division operations, organizational structure, staffing priorities, resource allocation, and management practices, consistent with department policies and approved budgets.
• Provide executive leadership to subordinate directors and other management staff, establishing performance expectations, evaluating leadership effectiveness, supporting professional development, and holding leaders accountable for organizational and programmatic outcomes.
• Establish division-wide operational standards, management practices, accountability structures, and decision-making processes to promote consistency, effectiveness, and collaboration across subordinate units and offices.
• Direct organizational planning and evaluate the effectiveness of staffing structures, reporting relationships, operational processes, and resource distribution; recommend or implement organizational changes within delegated authority.
• Oversee the development, administration, and monitoring of division budgets, ensuring fiscal stewardship, appropriate resource allocation, compliance with funding requirements, and alignment with strategic priorities.
• Serve as a member of CDE's executive leadership, participating in department-wide planning, policy discussions, organizational decisions, and initiatives that affect multiple divisions or the department as a whole.
• Resolve complex operational, organizational, and leadership issues that cross subordinate units, exercising executive judgment and escalating matters requiring Commissioner or department-level approval.

Strategic Planning and Implementation (15%)

• Establish and direct the strategic vision, priorities, goals, and long-term operational direction of the Student Pathways and Engagement Division in alignment with the Commissioner's priorities, CDE strategic plan, and State Board of Education goals.
• Translate department-wide strategic objectives into division-level initiatives, operational plans, performance measures, and accountability expectations for subordinate units and offices.
• Direct the development, implementation, and evaluation of division-wide strategic initiatives, ensuring coordination among programs, effective use of resources, and measurable progress toward established outcomes.
• Establish division-level performance measures and accountability systems to evaluate program effectiveness, operational performance, statutory compliance, an