Senior CORA Specialist

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefit

Free RTD EcoPass

Onsite parking

Job summary

University of Colorado System Administration is seeking a Senior CORA Specialist to support the Open Records Act program, evaluating requests, applying statutory requirements, and coordinating with campus partners. This security-sensitive role requires a background check and reports to the Director of Public Records Compliance.

This hybrid position offers flexibility to work from home part of the week and in-office on the CU system campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience.
• Three (3) years of professional experience performing research, records management, compliance, public records administration, or related duties.
• Demonstrated experience independently conducting research, analyzing complex information, applying established requirements, and communicating findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Independently manage assigned public records requests and support compliance leadership.
• Receive and evaluate CORA requests, determine completeness, apply statutory requirements, and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with IT and Litigation IT Systems Administrator when records tech support is needed.
• Develop and improve processes and internal controls related to public records compliance.
• Monitor CORA activity, identify trends, elevate significant matters as appropriate.
• Participate in CORA stakeholder meetings and support implementation of initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

CORA knowledge

Public records compliance

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Adobe Acrobat Pro

Relativity

Job description

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Higher Education!

At the System Administration office at the University of Colorado, we are dedicated to building a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our office is committed to fostering a culture where employees find community, a sense of belonging, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to our mission and purpose.

By joining our team, you’ll have a direct impact on shaping the future of higher education. In addition to the Office of the Board of Regents, the University of Colorado’s system administration includes 19 units that provide essential services to CU’s campuses in Aurora, Boulder, Colorado Springs, and Denver, as well as the Office of the President. While not a part of any one campus, we are proud to serve in the centralized office for the University system. Together, we ensure CU continues to deliver outstanding education, groundbreaking research, and valuable service to our communities.

We believe in creating an environment where the unique experiences and perspectives of everyone are embraced, enriching the work we do and the strategic outcomes we pursue. If you’re passionate about making a difference, contributing to a dynamic team, and supporting a mission that matters, we encourage you to apply and be part of our journey. Learn more about CU System Administration.

Position Summary:

University Counsel has a dual report to the Board of Regents and the President of the University and includes several legal functions that provide an array of services to the University of Colorado system. The Office of the University Counsel provides legal advice to the Board of Regents, the president, system administration and the campuses.

The Senior Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) Specialist performs a range of analytic, technical, legal, and administrative duties in support of the Office of University Counsel’s role as a provider of legal services to the University of Colorado, as well as in support of the university’s overarching organizational goals, objectives, and initiatives. The position supports the University’s public records compliance function by independently evaluating and responding to public records requests, including complex and non-routine requests; applying applicable statutory requirements; and coordinating with University constituents, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and appropriate responses. The position exercises independent judgment within established requirements and processes, provides guidance to University constituents, and identifies and resolves issues or escalates significant matters as appropriate. This security-sensitive position requires a criminal background check for initial appointments, or at any time when determined by the position’s supervisory authority to be in the best interests of the University.

This position reports to the Director of Public Records Compliance and is exempt from the State of Colorado Classified Staff System.

Where You Will Work:

This role is eligible for a hybrid schedule, working some days from home and some days in office while onboarding and training. Once training is completed, there is opportunity to work more remotely within the state of Colorado.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Independently manage assigned public records requests and support the Director of Public Records Compliance and the CORA Office in administering the University’s responsibilities under the Colorado Open Records Act (CORA) and other applicable public records requirements.
• Receive and evaluate CORA requests submitted to the University, including complex or non-routine requests; evaluate requests for completeness and interpret and apply applicable statutory requirements; identify and coordinate with appropriate University constituents, campus legal counsel, and other offices to collect responsive records; review responsive records and coordinate the application of appropriate redactions in consultation with legal counsel; and prepare responses to requestors within required timelines.
• Determine when information technology resources or specialized systems support are needed to fulfill records requests and coordinate with IT personnel and the Litigation IT Systems Administrator, as appropriate.
• Contribute to the development, documentation, implementation, and improvement of processes, business practices, and internal controls related to public records compliance, and recommend operational improvements based on experience administering requests.
• Monitor assigned CORA request activity; independently identify and evaluate recurring trends, potential issues, or compliance concerns; resolve routine and non-routine issues within established parameters; elevate significant matters to the Director of Public Records Compliance or CORA Analyst, as appropriate.
• Participate in CORA stakeholder committee meetings; provide guidance regarding established CORA processes and requirements; coordinate follow-up activities; support implementation of identified initiatives, as appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education, or equivalent professional experience (professional experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis)
• Three (3) years of professional experience performing research, records management, compliance, public records administration, or related technical or administrative duties.
• Demonstrated experience independently conducting research, analyzing complex information, applying established requirements or procedures, and communicating findings or determinations clearly.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s or post-baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher education in a closely related field.
• Five (5) years’ equivalent experience as stated above.
• Two (2) years’ professional experience involving statutory or regulatory compliance, preferably involving public records requests.
• Demonstrated experience applying the Colorado Open Records Act, or similar state or federal public records statutes.
• Working knowledge of privacy and records regulations, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), or comparable laws.
• Experience working in a higher education, government, or public sector environment.
• Familiarity with electronic document management or e-discovery platforms, such as Relativity.
• Knowledge of search techniques, including Boolean search operators.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Working knowledge of the Colorado Open Records Act (C.R.S. §§ 24-72-201 et seq.) and public records compliance requirements.
• Ability to work with a sense of urgency and meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Ability to communicate professionally and effectively with internal and external constituents, including requestors, University personnel, and legal counsel, and to appropriately handle complex, sensitive, or challenging interactions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft clear and professional correspondence, interpret information accurately, and communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive information.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision, exercise sound judgment in applying established requirements to complex or non-routine circumstances, manage multiple concurrent assignments and deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities.
• Ability to recognize patterns among records requests and determine appropriate approaches based on the circumstances of the requests, effectively using and adapting established templates and processes to communicate with records holders and requestors and collect information needed to fulfill requests.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, including the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and coordinate with individuals across different areas and backgrounds to meet compliance obligations.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, including the ability to prioritize work, meet statutory deadlines, maintain accurate records, and manage multiple requests concurrently.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to review and synthesize complex information, identify patterns or potential issues, resolve issues within established parameters, and determine when matters require escalation.
• Strong critical thinking and evaluative skills, including the ability to assess information for reliability, validity, and relevance; interpret and apply applicable requirements to complex or non-routine circumstances; and exercise sound judgment in determining appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to provide guidance to University constituents regarding established public records requirements, processes, and procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Benefits:

With our unparalleled range of benefits, including top-notch healthcare, comprehensive wellness programs, enriching professional development, and a dynamic work-life balance, we ensure your holistic growth and happiness.

• No-cost or low-cost medical & dental plan options, some inclusive of IVF assistance.
• Disability, Life, Vision Insurance options.
• Multiple retirement planning options including a mandatory 401(a) plan where CU contributes 10% of your gross pay, a 401k or 403b plan and a 457 deferred compensation plan.
• Pre-tax savings plans, such as Health care and Dependent care flexible spending accounts.
• Embrace a healthy work-life balance with ample sick and vacation leave, along with at least 12 paid holidays. This includes a dedicated week off for winter break.
• 6 weeks of parental leave to adjust to the joys of parenthood.
• A tuition benefit program for you and/or your dependents.
• Free RTD EcoPass and free onsite parking at our 1800 Grant Street Office.
• Many additional perks & programs with CU Advantage.

Additional taxable fringe benefits may be available.

For more information on benefits programs, please review our Comprehensive Benefits Guide.

Access our Total Compensation Calculator to see what your total rewards could be at CU. (This position is a University Staff position)