Staff Specialist Ii, Higher Education (Education Policy Analyst)

INTRODUCTION

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), is seeking an experienced and energetic individuals to fill the position of Staff Specialist II (Education Policy Analyst) in the Academic Affairs/Institution Review Unit.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Experience: Two years of administrative or teaching experience in post-secondary education programs.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master’s degree from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university for two years of the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications:
One year of experience in preparing qualitative analyses and providing relevant recommendations based on an analysis.
One year of experience interpreting, implementing, or enforcing rules, policies, regulations, or law.
One year of work experience at a state agency, federal agency, governmental organizations, or accrediting agency.
One year of work experience at a public or private college or university, or elementary or secondary school.

MAIN PURPOSE OF JOB

The Staff Specialist II – Higher Education serves as an Education Policy Analyst and provides professional level services to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) in the Office of Academic Affairs – Institution Review Unit, and reports to the Associate Director of Institution Review. The position will provide professional services, including independent policy analysis, development, and implementation, to allow for MHEC to fulfill its statutory responsibilities with regard to the coordination, statewide planning, and regulation of postsecondary education.

POSITION DUTIES

This Staff Specialist II position assigned duties and responsibilities pertain primarily to Academic Affairs, Institution Review. The position reports directly to the Associate Director for Academic Institution Review. The position will provide professional services, including independent policy analysis, development, and implementation to allow MHEC to fulfill its statutory responsibilities with regard to the coordination, statewide planning, and regulation of postsecondary education, specific to academic programs and approvals. The position will serve as an Education Policy Analyst providing professional level services related to out-of-state fully online institutions that are required to register with MHEC to provide distance education to Maryland residents, institutions seeking religious exemption, collegiate closed institution refund process, Title IX Reimbursement process and participating in institution compliance reviews.

The position requires independent policy analysis, development, and implementation to allow MHEC to fulfill its statutory responsibilities with regard to the coordination, statewide planning, and regulation of postsecondary education, specific to academic programs and approvals. The position will be primarily responsible for ensuring that colleges and universities operate in accordance with standards established by Maryland regulations and Maryland statute. Examples of assigned work includes:

• Evaluate and process institution applications and registrations in conjunction with COMAR in a timely and efficient manner and recommend action to the Associate Director of Institution Review
• Interpret, clarify and apply MHEC policies and COMAR regulations for institutions seeking Religious Exemptions, Out-of-State Fully Online Registrations and Title IX Sexual Assault process and attorney training events.
• Handling the collegiate closed institution process, collection of student records and student refund process.
• Participate in workgroups, such as: preparing various reports, taking meeting minutes, representing the agency.

The Staff Specialist II is expected to interpret, apply, and clarify MHEC policy and relevant sections of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and COMAR for diverse internal/external constituents. The Staff Specialist II is expected to ensure independent analysis, timely production and well-coordinated workflow.
The Staff Specialist II is expected to confer with colleagues, supervisors, and non-agency staff (e.g., college and university leadership and representatives) in order to exchange information regarding institution reviews and interpret policies or offer recommendations. The Staff Specialist II is expected to coordinate inter-agency transactions and provide liaison with officials at colleges and universities, officials in other agencies in the State, legislature, the federal government, private industry or local government agencies.