Highly Mobile Student (HMS) Programs and Grants Administrator- Non-Classified

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Employer-paid health insurance

Paid family medical leave (PFML)

11 paid holidays

Vacation and sick leave

PERA retirement

RTD Eco Pass

Paid professional development

Job summary

Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is seeking a Grants and Programs Administrator to oversee the EHCY and ESG grant programs, managing about $2 million in funding to support homeless, foster care, and highly mobile students. The HMSF Office coordinates supports to ensure academic and social-emotional stability.

You will train and coach LEAs, develop resources, and ensure compliant, equitable grant implementation across the state, with travel as needed and a hybrid work arrangement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education or related field.
• At least three years of state or federal grant management with evidence of compliant outcomes.
• At least three years coordinating training, coaching, and technical assistance related to grant expectations.

Responsibilities

• Administer the full lifecycle of the EHCY and ESG grant programs, including award management and monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements through ongoing monitoring and documentation.
• Serve as primary point of contact for grant inquiries and provide guidance to grantees.
• Plan and implement monitoring activities and oversee corrective actions.
• Analyze program and fiscal data to monitor outcomes and inform reporting.
• Develop tools, resources, and public-facing materials to improve grant implementation.
• Participate in statewide processes including the McKinney-Vento dispute review committee.

Skills

Strong written and verbal comms

Attention to detail

Balance quality vs productivity

Collaboration with stakeholders

Prioritization / time management

Proactive problem solving

Willingness to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in education or related field

Job description

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 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!

• 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.

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, Federally Funded (funding is expected to be contingent upon availability and can end at any time), and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• Driving Required (Please see description under Conditions of Employment).
• Commuting to the CDE buildings is required.
• Overnight travel may be required.
• 10% of travel is required within the state of Colorado for meetings/training/consultations.
• 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.
  • DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary

The Colorado Department of Education's Highly Mobile Students and Families is seeking a Highly Mobile Student Grants and Programs Administrator to support the administration and oversight of approximately $2 million in state and federal funding dedicated to improving educational stability and outcomes for students experiencing homelessness, the foster care system, or identified through the Title IC Migrant Education Program.

The Highly Mobile Students and Families (HMSF) Office supports access and opportunity for students and their families/caregivers, so students are healthy, safe, supported, and engaged in their schools and communities. HMSF uses a whole-student, whole-family, and whole-community approach to coordinate supports addressing academic, social-emotional, and family needs.

Under the direction and supervision of the HMS Programs Manager, the HMS Grants and Programs Administrator oversees implementation, review, and management of the federal Education for Homeless Children and Youth (EHCY) Grant and the state-funded Education Stability Grant (ESG). The position supports a competitive grant process, oversees approximately 25 grants totaling about $2 million, and provides grantees with training, technical assistance, budget and program report review, and monitoring.

The final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range; however, it 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

Grant Management and Administration

• Administer the full lifecycle of the EHCY and ESG grant programs, including application development, award management, monitoring, evaluation, and closeout in partnership with the HMS Programs Manager.
• Ensure compliance with federal and state requirements through ongoing monitoring, risk assessment, timely follow-up, and thorough documentation.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for grant-related inquiries and provide guidance and support to grantees.
• Plan and implement monitoring activities, including risk-based selection, preparation, on-site and virtual visits, report writing, and oversight of corrective action plans through resolution.
• Analyze program and fiscal data to monitor outcomes, identify trends, support state and federal reporting, and inform continuous improvement.
• Develop and refine tools, resources, processes, and public-facing materials to improve efficient, effective, equitable, and compliant grant implementation.
• Participate in statewide processes, including the McKinney-Vento dispute resolution review committee.

Training, Coaching and Technical Assistance

• Provide timely responses, resources, and state-level technical assistance as a primary point of contact for McKinney-Vento District Homeless Education Liaisons.
• Deliver program-specific coaching, consultation, professional learning, and technical assistance to local education agencies (LEAs), BOCES liaisons, and school leaders.
• Develop and facilitate trainings, tools, and supports that build local capacity and promote equitable access and barrier removal for students experiencing homelessness.
• Coordinate Highly Mobile Student Regional Collaborative Conversation events, including communication, planning, logistics, and tracking with state and local partners.

Partnership and Collaboration

• Identify partnership opportunities that advance statewide goals for highly mobile students.
• Maintain strong, trust-based relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including housing providers, human services, community-based organizations, education programs, early childhood, and higher education providers.
• Represent HMS programs in cross-agency councils and partnerships and provide concise summaries of activities and outcomes as assigned.
• Support outreach and awareness efforts, regional partnerships, and expanded access to resources for students experiencing homelessness, foster care, and other highly mobile populations.
• Communicate proactively with the HMS Programs Manager by sharing updates, elevating issues early, and recommending solutions.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience from an accredited college or university in education or a related field such as social work or public administration.
• At least three (3) years of experience managing state or federal grants with evidence of successful compliance and outcomes. Grant management includes administration, budgeting, data analysis related to performance progress, evaluation, and reporting to funding agencies.
• At least three (3) years of experience coordinating and executing training, coaching, professional development, and technical assistance related to grant expectations and deliverables.

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)

• Knowledge of grant management methods, including implementation of approved plans, program development to achieve performance goals and outcomes, data analysis and evaluation, monitoring, funder reporting, and budget management.
• Knowledge of the K-12 school system and best practices for serving highly mobile students.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, communication, project management, and organizational skills.
• Ability to comprehend and apply state and federal statutory language and regulatory and non-regulatory guidance to ensure compliance.
• Ability to manage time and priorities under deadline-driven workloads and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to use logic and reason to evaluate alternative solutions, conclusions, and approaches to problems.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a focus on accuracy, compliance, and continuous improvement using qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
• Proven ability to identify, analyze, and solve complex challenges using process and quality improvement strategies to strengthen program implementation and outcomes.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly for on-site visits, regional trainings, and/or national convenings.

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.
• Work extended schedule per business needs.
• Report to work location per business needs.
• DL Not Required: Required to independently determine and obtain means to complete travel requirements (10%).
• Sign the acknowledgment form that this position is funded through federal funds and is subject to availability.

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.

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 [e-mail].