STAFF SPECIALIST I, HIGHER EDUCATION

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), is seeking an experienced and energetic individual to fill the position of Staff Spec I (Program Manager) in the Office of Student Financial Affairs.

17

Nancy Grasmick Education Building  6 N. Liberty Street,  Ground Fl., Baltimore, MD  21201

The Program Manager is responsible for providing direct supervision to a team of 5 to 7 staff members and assisting in the indirect supervision of an additional 5 to 7 staff members. Supervision includes oversight of a variety of operational functions within the unit, including call center operations, processing of documents, and responding to e-mail inquiries. The program manager also serves as a subject matter leader for the need based and campus based state scholarship programs administered within the unit and is responsible for ensuring that such programs are administered effectively and within the parameters of Commission policies guidelines. These include but are not limited to the following programs: Delegate and Senatorial Scholarships; Educational Assistance Grant; Guaranteed Access Grant; Maryland Community College Promise Scholarship; Near Completer Grant; Campus Based Educational Assistance Grant; 2+2 Transfer Scholarship; and Part-Time Grant Program.

The Staff Specialist I – Higher Education serves as the Program Manager - Need Based Grants and Legislative Scholarships and provides professional level services to the Maryland Higher Education Commission in the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). The position will be responsible for supervising the administration of OSFA’s legislative and need based scholarship programs and reports to the Associate Director of Student Financial Assistance. The Program Manager’s specific responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

• Provide supervision, oversight, and subject matter expertise to various state legislative and need based financial aid programs totaling more than $100 million in FY2019, and ensure that the processing of applications and appropriate verification of documents are in compliance with applicable federal and state laws, and Commission regulations and policies.
• Interpret, apply, and clarify MHEC policy, and relevant sections of the Education Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland and Code of Maryland Regulations (COMAR) for diverse internal/external constituents.
• Recommend, develop, and implement Commission policies, and procedures.
• Develop budget projections based on annual legislative appropriations and historical award data, and track expenditures and other data to maintain an awareness of program budgets.
• Establish and maintain relationships with institution financial aid directors to identify and resolve programmatic issues.
• Serve as an auditor of Maryland postsecondary institutions to ensure fiscal compliance with the agency’s policies and procedures.
• Provide operational direction and supervision to four program specialists within the unit performing personnel functions such as recruitments, employee evaluations & relations, etc.
• Assist in the preparation and delivery of presentations to a diverse group of constituents and external stakeholders.
• Complete special projects at the direction of the Director and Associate Director of OSFA.

Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree.

Experience: One year of administrative or teaching experience in post-secondary education programs.

Notes:

1. Possession of a master's degree may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

2. Possession of a doctoral degree may be substituted for two years of the required experience.

Desired Qualifications:

• The successful candidate will be an experienced administrator one year in financial aid operations and should have experience working in a fast-paced, results driven, operational environment.
• Competitive applicants should possess excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• One year experience supervising staff, developing and applying policies and regulations, creating and monitoring budget projections, be detail oriented, and a self-starter.
• Additionally, applicants should have one year experience with working independently on multiple projects with fixed deadlines, working collaboratively as part of a team, and have potential to lead interagency work groups.  

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

COVER LETTER and RESUME REQUIRED with online application and can be uploaded as an attachment under the Resume Tab of the online application.  Please combine all documents together as ONE attachment (resume, degree, etc.). 

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to:        

Department of Budget and Management

Recruitment and Examination Division 

301 W. Preston Street Room 608 

Baltimore, MD  21201 

Recruitment #20-000300-0001 

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country. 

The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.A without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status). 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay 

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.