Colorado State Librarian. Job at State of Colorado in Denver

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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 complete work for CDE within Colorado.

Please Note - As of August 27, 2025, a hiring freeze is in effect for the Colorado Executive Branch. State agencies will be allowed to finalize the hiring process only if a position has been posted by August 27, 2025.

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

Description Of Job

Work Environment

This position is Full-time, Hybrid (Remote/Home Office with requirement to report to work location per business needs).

• Office hours are typically Mon‑Fri, 8 am‑5 pm
• Extended hours during the evening or the weekend may be required by business needs
• Up to 25 % Travel required within State of Colorado, including some overnights
• A Remote (Home) office is required
• Required to report to the work location per business needs
• Essential Functions (ADAAA)
• SEDENTARY/Office environment: Required to sit, view a computer screen, and utilize a keyboard and mouse for extended periods of time
• Required lifting, bending, stooping, pushing, walking, etc.
• DL Not Required: Required to independently obtain and determine means to complete travel requirements.

Position Summary

The Colorado State Librarian sets the vision for and ensures implementation of all activities of the Colorado State Library (CSL), including library development, resource sharing, talking books services, state publications, state institutions (including prison library facilities), community outreach, state and federal grants for library materials and services, research, and other programs that may be created or enhanced to improve library services statewide. The State Librarian oversees a staff of 40 employees, with an annual budget of approximately $10 million in state, federal, and other funds.

Final salary is anticipated to fall within the posted salary range, however could be higher or lower depending on knowledge, skills, abilities, and other qualifications of the preferred candidate while considering internal equity.

Major Duties And Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and vision to the staff in CSL and libraries in Colorado regarding formal education and lifelong learning, services to underserved Colorado residents, professional development for library staff, and the sharing of resources, expertise, and systems statewide.
• Collaboratively develop and implement Colorado’s Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) federal 5‑year plan, aligning vision, resources and goals for Colorado libraries.
• Provide leadership to staff in a cooperative, team‑based environment to advance the goals of the CSL and libraries in the state.
• Be a thought leader on library topics and communicate with leaders in Colorado and nationally about Colorado's vision of and goals for exemplary library services.
• Administer state and federal library laws.
• Provide information and advice on library matters to the State Board of Education, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Colorado Department of Education (CDE) Leadership Teams, and other organizations in Colorado.
• Work with libraries, library groups, state agencies and those who use libraries to develop and implement programs to advance and improve library services.
• In cooperation with CDE and CSL fiscal leaders, create and implement a budget for CSL that assures full legal compliance with state and federal (IMLS) guidelines and reporting requirements. In the event of state or federal budget reductions, work with CDE and CSL leaders to revise the budget accordingly, and in alignment with CSL’s vision and priorities.
• Work closely with the Colorado Association of Libraries (CAL), the Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) staff and Board, and other library consortia and organizations that currently exist or may be created to further library and learning goals in Colorado.
• Help ensure that public and school libraries are working together with the K–12 community to support CDE's strategic plan initiatives. Determine areas for further collaboration in support of early literacy initiatives.
• Participate in and attend national and local association conferences, including, but not limited to CAL, American Library Association (ALA), Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA), and the Western Council of State Librarians, as appropriate for the budget situation.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

Min. Education & Experience Requirements

• A Master’s degree from an institution accredited by the American Library Association (ALA) (or equivalent experience).
• At least seven years of progressively responsible library experience, five of which shall have been in administrative positions (24‑90‑104 (3) CRS) in large library‑related organizations such as a state library, library, other consortia or the equivalent.

Qualifications for Success in the Position

• Knowledge and understanding of current issues and trends in libraries.
• Successful leadership in creating a positive workplace culture and building a collaborative leadership team.
• Successful experience in co‑creating a vision and strategic plan for an organization, preferably a library.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate, strategically implement, and continually evaluate a vision and plan for libraries, with a focus on leveraging financial resources.
• Excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills.
• Clear, concise and accurate written communication skills including emails, memos, staff communications and slide decks.
• Working knowledge of all types of library settings.
• Broad scope of experience in all areas of administration; including budgeting, financial management, personnel, planning, and policy development.
• Five years of experience in supervising staff, including direct‑report staff who supervise other staff.
• Possess a collaborative leadership style, demonstrated success in team‑based decision‑making, project management, and working across organizations to meet a goal.
• Demonstrated commitment to PK‑12 education and lifelong learning.
• Ability and willingness to travel in and out of state.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Preferred Qualifications (Optional)

• Experience in adjusting priorities in a budget and staff‑constrained environment.
• Work experience in multiple types of libraries (public, school, academic).

Conditions of Employment

• 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 (percentage 25 %).
• 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 (percentage up to 25 %).

Supplemental Information

Complete Applications Must Include

• Completed Online Application: Required – Submitted through our ATS.
• Cover Letter: Required.
• Resume: Required.

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 hr@cde.state.co.us.

Current or Former State Employees

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 their entire work history within the State Classified System, including at Institutions of Higher Education, is indicated in their application so that their time‑in‑series can be calculated accurately.

Contact Information

All correspondence regarding your status in the selection/examination process will be conducted via email. Include a working email address on your application; one that is checked often as time‑sensitive correspondence such as exam information or notification will take place via email. Please set up your e‑mail to accept messages from "state.co.us" and "info@governmentjobs.com" addresses. It is your responsibility to ensure that your email will accept these notices and/or review your junk mail and spam‑filtered email.