<p>Under general supervision, the Program Manager II coordinates, develops, and implements research, outreach, and technical assistance under the Department and Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) guidelines, policies, and mission, and the City University of New York's (CUNY) Accelerate Study in Academic Program (ASAP).The Program Manager II manages multiple projects, supports general COSI programming, and leads the COSI ASAP program. </p> <p>The funding for this position is tied toa grant received by Arnold Ventures. The grant funds are expected to continue through December 31, 2028. The position will support general COSI and COSI ASAP. Approximately 75% of work time will be spent on general COSI programming and 25% on ASAP programming.</p> <p>Supervision Exercised</p> <p>This position does not supervise any employees.</p> <p>Scope of Responsibilities</p> <p>This intermediate level position is responsible for independently performing specialized duties supporting the Department of Higher Education's Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative.  Positions at this level exercise judgment and initiative in their assigned tasks, receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit.?</p> <p>ob Duties</p> <p>The duties listed below reflect the different types of work that may be performed. The omission of any specific duty will not prevent the assignment of work that is appropriately related to this position.</p> <p>Network Coordination </p> <ul> <li> <p>Act as liaison between COSI and grantees and their teams </p> </li><li> <p>Create and implement efficiencies across the program and assist with research of best practices in student services and scholarships, including college advising, services for first year and non-traditional students, and retention efforts</p> </li><li> <p>Provide specialized support for grantees and staff in the ASAP area of expertise, including developing resources and materials for the program</p> </li><li> <p>Build awareness and engage with communities, non-profits, counties, and institutions of higher education, of community partner programs and scholarship matching opportunities from the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative </p> </li><li> <p>Provide direct management and ongoing support to the grantees, including outreach, program design, implementation, evaluation, and professional development, as well as technical assistance</p> </li><li> <p>Manage multiple programs' student success by ensuring that all grantees are providing proactive, comprehensive, and high-quality support to students</p> </li><li> <p>Support the team in coordinating and executing grantee symposiums, regional grantee meetings, site visits, webinars and online meetings, social media, website, and communications</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as a content expert in a specific area of expertise and cross-train the team in best practices</p> </li><li> <p>Implement strategies to positively impact key metrics, i.e., graduation rates, student engagement, enrollment, retention, and completion goals</p> </li><li> <p>Lead the collection and preparation of year-end reports and work alongside COSI leadership and the contracted evaluator to prepare annual evaluation reports for the program</p> </li></ul> <p>Program Support </p> <ul> <li> <p>Coordinate with other Divisions of the Department to ensure stakeholders are aware of ASAP policy, legislative, and other updates</p> </li><li> <p>Think creatively and work collaboratively with COSI leadership to launch and drive new initiatives from inception to implementation</p> </li></ul> <p>ASAP Program Support </p> <ul> <li> <p>Implement CUNY ASAP policy and programming, as well as develop department program policies and processes, to meet the Program's mission, as well as develop the department strategy to support partners in meeting the program targets.</p> </li><li> <p>Provides general day-to-day oversight and ensures partners successfully deliver comprehensive support to students in alignment with CUNY ASAP and department policies. </p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with Arnold Ventures to ensure strict adherence to all budgetary rules. Attend regular meetings and proactively complete all quarterly and annual reporting requirements to maintain full compliance and transparency.</p> </li><li> <p>Drive program success by developing and managing data collection and reporting processes, analyzing outcomes, and preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports to ensure progress toward student engagement and academic performance benchmarks.</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as the primary liaison for COSI, CUNY Central ASAP|ACE, and institutions, relaying key information from all required meetings and preparing reports to manage deadlines and ensure clear communication and support for program goals.</p> </li><li> <p>Lead the development of processes, technical assistance, and documents for the compliance, monitoring, and close-out of all ASAP grant programs</p> </li><li> <p>Research, develop, and present valuable training and information related to ASAP and program topics</p> </li><li> <p>Serve as the expert and guide in answering grant-related inquiries on allowable versus unallowable costs, etc., ensuring compliance</p> </li><li> <p>Develop and maintain manuals and guides to outline the programs</p> </li><li> <p>Collaborate with the Office of the State Controller, the department, institutions, CUNY, Arnold Ventures, and other internal and external departments supporting the program.</p> </li></ul> <p>Education and Experience</p> <p>Any combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:</p> <p>Education:</p> <p>Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in research, policy, education or related field</p> <p>Substitution: Four (4) years of experience in a related field can replace the education requirement of a bachelor's degree</p> <p>Experience:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Three (3) to Five (5) years of experience in higher education or workforce, grant management or related field required</p> </li><li> <p>Three (3) to Five (5) years of experience in workforce development, reengagement, and pathways, and/or administering programming in one or more of the following areas: </p> </li><li> <p>postsecondary </p> </li><li> <p>adults and/or non-traditional students</p> </li><li> <p>program evaluation </p> </li><li> <p>workforce development</p> </li><li> <p>One (1) to three (3) years of experience supporting state and/or federal grants</p> </li><li> <p>Experience managing multiple organization grant portfolios</p> </li></ul> <p>Licenses and Certifications:</p> <ul> <li>Valid Colorado driver's license and compliance with all requirements for driving a state vehicle are required throughout the term of employment </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <p>Education:</p> <p>Master's degree from an accredited university or college in research, policy, education or related field</p> <p>Knowledge of:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Standard office practices, procedures, software and equipment, including the use of personal computers, telephones, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and Teams)</p> </li><li> <p>State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines</p> </li><li> <p>CUNY ASAP program rules and regulation, policies, compliance, and monitoring</p> </li><li> <p>Data management</p> </li></ul> <p>Ability to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>Work effectively in both independent and team situations</p> </li><li> <p>Communicate effectively, both written and verbally</p> </li><li> <p>Apply time management skills to prioritize work</p> </li><li> <p>Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy</p> </li><li> <p>Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner</p> </li><li> <p>Analyze data and create presentations for various audiences</p> </li></ul> <p>Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)</p> <p>The physical and mental standards described here are representative of those that must typically be met by employees to perform the essential functions of this class successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.</p> <ul> <li> <p>Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings</p> </li><li> <p>Occasionally may push or pull an object</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard</p> </li><li> <p>Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects</p> </li><li> <p>Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone</p> </li></ul> <p>If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquires to HR@dhe.state.co.us</p> <p>Typical Working Conditions</p> <ul> <li> <p>The employee typically works in a standard office environment where the noise level is moderate, and the office has controlled temperatures. Works a 40-hour work week, either remotely, hybrid, or in-office, depending on the arrangement met during employment with the supervisor during normal office hours of Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.</p> </li><li> <p>Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.</p> </li><li> <p>The position may require periodic in-state and out-of-state travel requiring occasional overnight stays. The position requires the ability to travel independently through the state including overnight stays.</p> </li></ul> <p>Notice</p> <p>The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time, as needed. The duties, expectations, and actions listed for this role may change at any time with or without notice.</p> <p>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, 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.</p> <p>The Colorado Department of Higher 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 to perform 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 our Human Resource Director HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.</p>