Degree Requirements Removed For 84 Boulder County Jobs

BOULDER, CO -- Boulder County has removed higher education degree requirements from 84 job classifications, according to a news release from the county. The decisions were made after a review by the county’s human resources team determined that the restrictions were unnecessary for essential performance and not regarded as necessary according to the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Job postings for these 84 positions, which include volunteer coordinators, law enforcement records managers, GIS managers, and web applications developers, among others, will now require any combination of education and experience in specified skill sets as part of the job requirements.

By removing degree requirements in these classifications, the county reports that it has increased advancement opportunities for current staff, and will be able to attract a more diverse pool of applicants. The changes are intended to allow individuals who have extensive knowledge and experience in their fields equal opportunity to apply for positions they are otherwise qualified for and to advance and succeed in their career.

“We think this is an important step to take in today’s competitive job market to help our departments attract larger pools of qualified candidates for their open positions,” said County Commissioner Deb Gardner in a statement accompanying the release. “We also believe that this change will allow a more diverse group of highly capable candidates to apply who may have extraordinary experience and were previously excluded from applying simply because they are lacking a degree.”

The review was part of the county’s ongoing recruitment, hiring, and retention efforts, and further efforts to support and sustain equity, cultural responsiveness, and inclusion which is part of the county’s Guiding Values and Strategic Priorities.