Loan & Scholarship Program Manager - Term Limited

State of Colorado

  • Denver, CO
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 9 days ago
Under general supervision, the Loan Forgiveness & Scholarship Program Manager provides advising and support for the administration of early childhood program scholarships and loan forgiveness programs conducted in partnership between the Colorado Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. This position works in cooperation with early childhood educator preparation programs to establish payment mechanisms and funding guidelines, facilitate invoicing procedures, develop selection criteria, provide technical assistance to recipients, and ensure accurate and timely program reporting. This position is Term-Limited, as ends December 31, 2026. Supervision ExercisedThis position does not supervise any employees. Scope of ResponsibilitiesThe Loan Forgiveness & Scholarship Program Manager is responsible for the Early Childhood Loan Forgiveness program, Early Childhood Innovation Scholarship Program and Dependent Tuition Assistance Program for the Department of Higher Education and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. The Program Manager, under the leadership of the Director of Educator Pathways and Workforce Policy, will stand up the program under 2 CRF 200 guidelines, maintain the day-to-day operations of the program, and close the program. Job DutiesThe 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.
  • In partnership with CDEC and the CDHE Director of Educator Pathways & Workforce Policy, create criteria/workplan to select a specific innovative pathway from each IHE to deploy scholarship awards.
  • Implement the plan for disbursing scholarship funds to public IHEs
  • Establish funding guidelines, program FAQs and fact sheets for distribution to participating institutions and eligible students.
  • Develop and maintain loan forgiveness partnership to support direct payments to student loan services.
  • Provide outreach and technical assistance to loan forgiveness recipients and help them register for their awards.
  • Contribute content to any shared deliverables such as toolkits or instructional documents created for childcare programs and professionals.
  • Determine loan forgiveness eligibility/selection criteria and create an application and landing page to convey that information to students.
  • Oversee daily communication with institutions of higher education in a timely and professional manner.
  • Ensure timely fiscal monitoring of the program budget and monitor invoice procedures between agencies.
  • Oversee communications with students, parents, and stakeholders in a timely and professional manner.
  • With assistance from the Budget Team and Accounting Team, maintain the budget of the program including maintaining accurate record keeping, forecasting, grantee budgets, and year end close.
  • Serve as primary contact for all data requests regarding this program.
  • With the assistance of the Contracts Manager, draft statements of work, grant contracts, and signature of all grant contracts in accordance with state guidelines.
  • With the assistance of the Contracts Manager, accurately amend and update contracts as needed.
  • With the assistance of the Data Team, collect annual programmatic data in accordance with the program's goals and objectives.
  • Complete an annual summation of the success and opportunities of the program.
  • Provide instructions to individual students on how to access funds for loan forgiveness
  • Other duties as assigned
Qualifications
Education and ExperienceAny combination of experience and education that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain knowledge and abilities would be: Education:Associates degree or certification from an accredited university or college education, early childhood education, public policy, business administration, higher education, management or closely related field. Experience:Two (2) plus years of experience in the following areas:
  • Program development and implementation
  • State government, higher education, or scholarship program coordination/management
Licenses and Certifications:
  • NA
Preferred Qualifications
Education:Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in education, early childhood education, public policy, business administration, higher education, management or closely related field. Experience:Two (2) plus years of experience in the following areas:
  • Program budgeting
  • Program Launch
  • Experience with compliance to federal statute 2 CFR 200
  • Loan Forgiveness Management
Knowledge of:
  • 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)
  • State statutes, rules and regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines
Ability to:
  • Work effectively in both independent and team situations
  • Manage sensitive issues and confidential information
  • Think critically and apply reasoning and analysis
  • Take the initiative to solve problems in an innovative manner
  • Communicate effectively and timely, both written and verbally
  • Employ attention to technical detail and accuracy
  • Apply time management skills to prioritize work
  • Establish and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders
  • Provide excellent customer service
Physical and Mental Standards (Hybrid Setting)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 accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Frequently sit/stand at a desk for extended periods of time
  • Frequently move from one area/building to another and sit/stand during the course of a day/week/month for meetings
  • Occasionally may push or pull an object
  • Frequently use finger dexterity and operate a keyboard
  • Regularly lift 10 pounds and occasionally lift 25 pounds
  • Frequently use vision to read documents, view computer screens, and see close and distant objects
  • Frequently use speech and hearing to engage in conversation, in person, and over the telephone
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 Typical Working Conditions
  • 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.
  • Job duties may occasionally require working extended hours or hours outside of the regular schedule.
  • 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.
NoticeThe 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.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. 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 at HR@dhe.state.co.us or call 720.264.8575.

State of Colorado