Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fellow.

Department Information

The Office of Economic Development and International Trade (“OEDIT”) fosters a positive business climate that encourages economic development through support of local and regional economic development activities throughout the State of Colorado. A comprehensive slate of programs within OEDIT’s divisions support economic development efforts for all Colorado businesses – new and expanding, traditional and emerging, small and large – including retention programs to ensure the continued competitiveness of Colorado’s economic base, and job training to keep Colorado’s workforce the best in the nation.

Description Of Job

The AI Fellow will lead a high-priority summer project to synthesize and analyze the Opportunity Now themes and data needs associated with the Opportunity Now grant program. Since its inception, the program has received over 750 applications representing a cross-section of Colorado’s business, workforce, and education ecosystems.

The goal is to use AI and advanced data analytics to "deep dive" into these applications, identifying the themes that connect Colorado’s industries, educational institutions, and community partners. The successful candidate will transform raw application data into actionable insights that will shape the program’s final evaluation. This role will have the opportunity to participate in a cohort of AI Fellows through Colorado Thrives to support expanded learning and increase the sophistication of using AI as related to Talent Innovation and OEDIT.

Key Responsibilities

• Thematic Analysis: Develop and deploy AI-driven text analysis tools (NLP) to categorize themes, regional trends, and innovative workforce models across 750+ grant applications.
• Ecosystem Mapping: Build a comprehensive database and visual map of all businesses, subrecipients, and community partners engaged through the Opportunity Now network.
• Stakeholder Identification: Extract and verify information for key industry and education partners to ensure a robust directory of impact for the Talent Innovation team.
• Evaluation Contribution: Draft technical and narrative sections of the Opportunity Now Final Report, translating themes into clear, compelling stories of regional impact.
• Process Optimization: Recommend AI workflows for operational processes to improve the speed and accuracy of application review and partner tracking.
• Other duties as assigned in relation to operational implementation of AI projects across OEDIT

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions Of Employment & Appeal Rights

• Technical Expertise: Proficiency in Python or R, with experience in Natural Language Processing (NLP) and large-scale data cleaning.
• Analytical Mindset: Ability to take qualitative narrative text (grant proposals) and extract quantitative trends and structured data.
• Communication: Strong writing skills to contribute to executive-level reports; ability to explain technical AI findings to non-technical stakeholders.
• Passion for Impact: An interest in economic development, workforce equity, and how state-level funding can "seed" transformative change.

Supplemental Information

Pay Rate: $22.00/hr

This position is considered non-classified, which means the position is not part of the Colorado State Personnel System. Therefore, the individual appointed to this position is considered at-will, and is not covered by the State Personnel Rules or the State Classification System.

• Status: Part-time (hours to be coordinated with the Talent Innovation team).
• Hybrid Flexibility: This role is designed as a hybrid position, allowing for a mix of remote work and in-person collaboration at our Denver office.
• Tools: A dedicated computer/laptop will be provided for the duration of the fellowship to ensure access to necessary state systems and data security.
• Equipment: State-issued laptop provided

Benefits

Fellow qualify for choice of 2 retirement plans (defined contribution or defined benefit) with generous State contribution

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

To learn more about the “State of Colorado For All”, visit our Equity, Diversity, and I