Family Engagement Specialist - Non-Classified

Family Engagement Specialist

The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for enhancing the learning for students with disabilities through the development of resources, training, and activities to improve IEP teams, with a specific focus on ensuring meaningful parent engagement in the special education process and early dispute resolution. This position also oversees the operational day-to-day management of the Parents Encouraging Parents Conference (PEP) and the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC).

Salary: $75,000.00 - $85,000.00 Annually

Location: Denver Metro, CO

Job Type: Full Time

Job Number: 01081-PrnCnslt-SL-0626

Department: Department of Education

Division: Student Learning

Opening Date: 06/29/2026

Closing Date: 7/14/2026 at 11:59 PM Mountain Time (US & Canada)

FLSA: Determined by Position

Exempt; position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Primary Physical Work Address: Downtown/Denver Metro/Eligible for a hybrid (office/remote) work environment.

Department Contact Information: View email address on click.appcast.io

Salary Note: Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

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.

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 the 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.

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)
• 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 contingent upon availability), and is eligible for a hybrid work environment.

• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs.
• Up to 10% of travel within the State of Colorado for meetings, training, and conferences.
• Overnight travel may be required specifically for the conferences.
• 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.

Position Summary: The Family Engagement Specialist is responsible for enhancing the learning for students with disabilities through the development of resources, training, and activities to improve IEP teams, with a specific focus on ensuring meaningful parent engagement in the special education process and early dispute resolution. This position also oversees the operational day-to-day management of the Parents Encouraging Parents Conference (PEP) and the Colorado Special Education Advisory Committee (CSEAC).

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage an annual budget for family-school partnership activities and initiatives, to include PEP and CSEAC.
• Manage day-to-day family-school partnership activities, to include oversight of parent engagement initiatives and activities, including PEP, CSEAC, and responding to calls from parents.
• Develop resources and provide technical assistance and support to CDE colleagues, special education administrators/educators, disability rights and parent training organizations on the role of meaningful parent participation in the special education process to improve results for students with disabilities, consistent with IDEA and ECEA.
• Collaborate with other CDE staff and offices in streamlining processes to inform systems outcomes in general supervision, technical assistance practices, and professional learning, with a specific focus on improving meaningful parent participation in the special education and monitoring processes.
• Collaborate with staff from the ESSU and cross-offices within the CDE in the development of guidance and technical assistance to the field, with a specific focus on improving meaningful parent participation in the special education and monitoring processes.
• Review and revise general supervision and monitoring processes as part of continuous improvement activities, in collaboration with other ESSU teams, and under the direction of ESSU Leadership, with a specific focus on improving meaningful parent participation in the special education and monitoring processes.
• Collaborate with GSM and other DR team members to improve system performance in monitoring and professional development activities with a specific focus on parent engagement in these processes and systems, to include improving access to dispute resolution options and participation in monitoring through educational benefit review, facilitated assessments, and AU determinations.
• Provide oversight and guidance on State Performance Plan/Annual Performance Report Indicators related to parent engagement, specifically Indicator 8.
• Develop parent engagement training, resources, and activities to align with and directly support the Alternative Dispute Resolution Project in the prevention and early intervention stages of special education disputes, to include telephone intermediary services, stakeholder council (CSEAC), and parent-to-parent assistance (PEP) and support for facilitative IEP program and training.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: This position requires a combination of education and experience totaling eleven (11) years.

• Master's degree or above in special education or related field from an accredited university or college.
• AND Five (5) years of experience in special education, which may include experience as a special education teacher, social worker, case manager, related service provider, special education administrator, or parent-liaison. Preference will be given to candidates with recent, direct experience supporting family engagement in IEP teams and meetings.

Qualifications for Success in the Position:

• Experience with culturally responsive practices.
• Demonstrated skills and experience building strategic relationships between family and school leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in conflict engagement, alternative dispute resolution practices, and facilitative communication skills.
• Strong written