Salary : $75,000.00 - $87,000.00 Annually
Location : Denver Metro, CO
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 01797-PrnCnslt-SL0826
Department: Department of Education
Division: Student Learning
Opening Date: 09/08/2026
Closing Date: 9/22/2026 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 and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• 20% of travel is required within the State of Colorado for Meetings/Training and consultations.
• Overnight travel is required.
• Out-of-state travel is required.
• Driving Required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• A Remote (Home) office is required.
• Required to report to the work location per business needs.
• 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.
  • CO DL Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary:

The Colorado Department of Education's Elementary Literacy and School Readiness Office is seeking a Literacy Curriculum and Assessment Specialist to lead implementation of key Colorado READ Act requirements. This role coordinates READ Act Advisory List reviews, district-based reporting through Unified Improvement Plans (UIP), educator preparation program reviews, fidelity monitoring, and statewide field communications and technical assistance. The position is well-suited for an experienced literacy leader who combines expertise in scientifically based reading instruction with strong project management, stakeholder collaboration, and communication skills.

Under the direction of the Elementary Literacy and School Readiness (ELSR) Director, the Literacy Curriculum and Assessment Specialist supports implementation of multiple Colorado READ Act regulatory requirements. The position serves as the primary team lead for activities related to the READ Act Advisory List of instructional programs, assessments, and professional development and coordinates district-based K-3 reporting through Unified Improvement Plans (UIP).

The position collaborates with CDE offices including Accountability, Exceptional Student Services, data teams, and the Educator Preparation Office to manage review and reporting processes, support authorization and reauthorization reviews, monitor READ Act implementation, and help ensure educator preparation programs support scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction. The role also oversees field communications related to READ Act implementation and develops content for webinars, technical assistance, website information, listserv messages, email responses, guidance documents, and other statewide communications.
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:

• READ Act Advisory List Reviews
  
  
  • Serve as the primary point of contact and team lead for READ Act Advisory List reviews of instructional programs, assessment programs, and professional development programs.
  • Review and identify changes in statute or rule that may affect the program review process under the supervision of the ELSR Director.
  • Maintain timelines for READ Act reviews and coordinate review activities, staffing, stakeholder participation, vendor submissions, and deliverables.
  • Coordinate contracts with vendors, as needed, to support development of rubrics or scoring criteria for reviews.
  • Develop communication plans for the education field and vendors and build stakeholder relationships that support a fair and open review process.
  • Collaborate with other CDE offices to support advisory list reviews.
  
  
  Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Reporting and Review
  
  
  • Review and identify statutory or rule changes that may affect READ Act requirements within Unified Improvement Plans.
  • Maintain timelines for READ Act UIP submission requirements and serve as the primary point of contact for district-based reporting of instructional programs.
  • Work with data teams to aggregate district program submissions and coordinate UIP review activities with Exceptional Student Services and Accountability teams.
  • Organize team staffing needs for UIP reviews and provide programming information to CDE leadership as requested.
  
  
  Educator Preparation Program Review
  
  
  • Serve as the primary contact for coordination of authorization and reauthorization reviews of Educator Preparation Programs with the Educator Preparation Office.
  • Review course content to ensure programs meet licensing requirements for scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction.
  • Conduct virtual and onsite authorization and reauthorization visits and report findings in collaboration with the Educator Preparation Office.
  
  
  READ Act Fidelity Monitoring
  
  
  • Review and identify changes to statute or rule that may affect district-based implementation of the READ Act.
  • Maintain timelines for monitoring district implementation and serve as the team lead and primary point of contact for READ Act monitoring activities.
  • Plan and develop tracking systems for READ Act monitoring and collaborate with data teams to review information used to determine monitoring needs.
  • Organize team staffing needs for monitoring and provide fidelity monitoring information to CDE leadership as requested.
  
  
  READ Act Communication and Technical Assistance
  
  
  • Serve as a primary point of contact for education field inquiries related to the READ Act.
  • Develop content for READ Act email responses and delegate inquiries to appropriate team members.
  • Develop content for READ Act webinars and technical assistance sessions related to UIP requirements, Advisory Lists, and monitoring.
  • Support a coordinated system for tracking responses and distributing information through webinars, web content, listserv communications, email, guidance documents, and other field communication methods.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

Education and Experience

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in literacy, reading, elementary education, or another related field with coursework supporting expertise in literacy aligned with scientifically based reading instruction.

And

• Five (5) or more years of experience in public education, including classroom experience.

QUALIFICATIONS AND CONDITIONS:
Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail (proofing work, spelling, grammar, formatting, etc.).
• Demonstrated ability to effectively balance quality of work and productivity expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively collaborate with internal and external customers (e.g. school districts, other CDE units).
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and organize work to accommodate and meet the changing needs of the department and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative and exhibit a proactive approach to work.
• Demonstrated ability to identify problems and recommend solutions prior to the standard being jeopardized.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, as well as on a team.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Preferred Qualifications (Preferred/Not Required):

• Demonstrated experience in delivering scientifically and evidence-based reading instruction and professional development.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Google tools.
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills, including the ability to multitask, balance competing priorities, track and meet deadlines, and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience developing and providing professional development for a variety of stakeholders.

Conditions of Employment (Required):

• Must be willing and able to submit to the pre-screening process and pass a background check.
• Ability and willingness to independently determine, obtain means, and complete required travel (20%).
  • Must be able and willing to complete approximately 20% position-related travel, including overnight travel and occasional out-of-state travel.
• Work extended schedule per business needs
• Report to work location per business needs
• Valid Colorado Driver's License Required: Required to safely operate a motor vehicle to complete travel requirements.
• Driving Required: To ensure the safety and efficiency of CDE operations,