Student Loan Ombudsperson

State of Colorado•Denver, CO

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Loan Ombudsperson is an exciting leadership opportunity for a collaborative, strategic, and service-oriented professional within the Colorado Department of Law, Office of the Attorney General. This role leads the Student Loan Program, supervising a team responsible for complaint resolution, licensing, compliance oversight, examinations, and consumer outreach under the Colorado Student Loan Servicers Act. The position involves close collaboration with borrowers, regulated entities, institutions of higher education, policymakers, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance with state law, strengthen consumer protections, and improve outcomes for Colorado student loan borrowers. This is a leadership opportunity for individuals passionate about public service, leading high-performing teams, and shaping regulatory programs that make a meaningful impact.

Requirements

Eight years of professional experience in consumer financial protection, financial regulation, regulatory compliance, licensing, consumer lending, student loan servicing, banking, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, administrative law, or another closely related field.
Interpreting and applying complex statutes, regulations, policies, or administrative rules to resolve regulatory, compliance, licensing, or consumer protection matters.
Researching and analyzing legal, regulatory, financial, or operational issues and developing recommendations or solutions.
Reviewing complaints, investigations, examinations, audits, or other compliance information to identify trends, patterns of noncompliance, or consumer risks.
Preparing formal reports, memoranda, findings, or recommendations for management, executive leadership, or other decision-makers.
Collaborating with regulated entities, consumers, attorneys, government agencies, or other stakeholders to resolve complex issues or achieve regulatory or program objectives.
Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in Public Administration, Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy, Criminal Justice, or another closely related field AND four years of professional experience in consumer financial protection, financial regulation, regulatory compliance, licensing, consumer lending, student loan servicing, banking, finance, accounting, economics, public administration, administrative law, or another closely related field equal to eight (8) years.
Must have a valid CO driver's license.
Applicants must pass a thorough background investigation prior to appointment.

Nice To Haves

Experience analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, evaluate program performance, and develop strategic recommendations.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting, reviewing, and editing reports, legal memoranda, policies, regulatory guidance, or other complex technical documents.
Experience interpreting and applying state or federal statutes, regulations, administrative rules, and proposed legislation related to consumer financial protection, student lending, or financial services.
Experience developing, implementing, or advising on consumer financial services policy, regulatory compliance, licensing, or enforcement programs at the state or federal level.
Experience working in consumer protection, financial regulation, or industry compliance on behalf of a government agency, regulatory body, nonprofit organization, or financial services organization, including experience addressing consumer complaints involving lenders, student loan servicers, debt collectors, or other financial service providers.
Experience planning or conducting compliance examinations, investigations, audits, or regulatory reviews.
Experience supervising, leading, mentoring, or developing professional staff in a regulatory, compliance, licensing, or consumer protection environment.
Experience designing, developing, and delivering educational programs, training, or outreach initiatives for consumers, regulated entities, or professional audiences.
Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, regulated entities, consumer advocates, and the public.
Demonstrated commitment to public service, ethical leadership, and consumer protection.

Responsibilities

Directs the receipt, evaluation, investigation, and resolution of complex student loan borrower complaints.
Oversee communications with student loan borrowers to ensure complaints are accurately assessed, borrowers receive clear information regarding their rights and responsibilities, and complaint resolutions are consistent with applicable laws, regulations, and program policies.
Directs the analysis of complaint data, examination findings, and industry trends to identify emerging risks, patterns of noncompliance, and systemic consumer protection issues, and develops recommendations regarding regulatory priorities, policy changes, compliance strategies, and enforcement actions.
Represents the Student Loan Program during administrative proceedings, stakeholder meetings, and court proceedings.
Provides oversight of compliance examinations by evaluating examination finding for compliance, consistency, accuracy, and adherence to regulatory standards, and resolves complete or novel examination issues.
Reviews and approve examination reports, correspondence, findings, and recommendations to ensure accuracy, consistency, and alignment with Department enforcement objectives.
Evaluates examination results and industry trends to identify systemic compliance issues, emerging risks, and regulatory gaps, and develops recommendations for enforcement priorities, policy initiatives, stakeholder outreach, and program improvements.
Lead outreach and engagement with regulated entities, industry stakeholders, governmental partners, and the public to communicate compliance issues, promote voluntary compliance, and address systemic issues affecting the regulated industry.
Overseeing public education initiatives, monitoring legislative and regulatory developments, identifying systemic issues affecting student loan borrowers, and developing recommendations that strengthen program operations, consumer protections, and regulatory oversight.
Oversees and coordinates the licensing of supervised servicers and private education creditors, ensures compliance with regulatory requirements.
Provides direct supervision of two Financial Credit Examiners and one Compliance Specialist.

Benefits

Competitive medical and dental health plans
Employer-paid life insurance
Paid holidays
Retirement plans with Colorado PERA
Vacation and sick leave earned each month
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
Free access to an on-site fitness center
Strong, flexible retirement benefits including 401K and 457 plans
Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the State personnel system
Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible work schedules, professional development opportunities, and an employee discount program