PPS Compliance Specialist

Job Posting:

Compliance Specialist 3

FT/Permanent

Office of Academic Policy and Authorization

Salem, Oregon

REQ-160136

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference…for a lifetime

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) has a new and exciting career opportunity as in the Office of Academic Policy and Authorization. This position is a Permanent, Full-Time position. This position is Management Non-Supervisory

This position will be headquartered at HECC’s Salem Office. Currently, APA has a 2-day minimum in office for most positions, which is subject to change to meet position and operational needs. There may be additional in-office expectations during the training period; the details of the work schedule will be finalized with your supervisor. The successful candidate may be eligible for in-state hybrid work, which consists of performing duties onsite in a standard office environment and working remotely.  

Why Join Us

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) envisions a future in which all Oregonian’s benefit from the transformational power of high-quality postsecondary education and training. Come work with a team that values equity, affordable access to education, and lifelong learning within beautiful Salem, Oregon

Agency Values - Transparency, Equity, Integrity, Trust, Collaboration, Accountability, Lifelong Learning.

Check out our vision -

Equitable Recruiting

The HECC strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We would encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of these positions, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a non-traditional background.

What You Will Be Doing

The primary purpose of this position is to effect HECC-ODA, PCS, & public post-secondary institutions consumer and student protection duties under the authority of ORS 345 & ORS 348 through developing standards and protocols for complex compliance scenarios, through complaint referral and investigation, and through compliance with relevant statutes, rules, and guidelines for student complaints and consumer protections related to ODA and PCS institutions. This position requires minimal supervision, conferring with a supervisor on unusual matters. Independent judgment is exercised that is consistent with the missions, goals and objectives of the program or agency. This position also requires the ability to research, develop, and coordinate the implementation of new rules.

Duties Include

• Analyze, interpret, and apply laws, rules or agency policies to help other staff or education partners of PCS or ODA with compliance issues.

• Track state and federal regulatory requirements

• Assist HECC management, program staff, and stakeholders with Oregon Administrative Rulemaking process, through identifying gaps (such as financial regulations), researching ideas, drafting rules, presenting on rules to advisory committees or rules advisory committees, and getting rules codified.

• Provide technical assistance to institutions with the authorization or licensure process once determination is made that they must be authorized or licensed by PPS.

• For new school applications, received all inquiries, distributes applications to specialists and self, conducts first review of materials submitted, responds to basic inquires, reviews and determines if the application meets requirements, reviews and submits a recommendation to the director.

• Conduct the review of instructor/teacher approvals, using administrative rules and internal guidelines, reviews credentials to determine if they meet the basic requirements to teach courses and at what academic level.

• Interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to varying and complex student complaint related compliance situations.

• Determines level of sanctions for noncompliance with PCS or ODA statute and rule and develops and proposes policy for level of sanction for unusual or unprecedented scenarios of noncompliance.

• Evaluates both typical and complex or unusual exemption requests from schools according to knowledge of statute and rule and recommends/issues exemption or denial.

• Issue Cease & Desist orders based on non- compliance or violation of applicable statute.

For a complete list of duties and working conditions, please contact the recruiter for the position description.

Working Conditions

• Daily team interactions.

• Open office environment.

• Extensive computer use. 

• Simultaneous work on multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.

• Requires remaining stationary for extended periods.

• Requires physical activity normally associated with filing and sitting for extended periods, occasional bending, stooping, and walking to meetings within the building.

• In state and occasional out of state travel may be required for mandatory training and meetings.

Desired Attributes/Skills

If you have these qualities, let us know It’s how we will choose whom to move forward

• Experience with student and consumer protection agency-level work.

• Experience with issuing regulatory sanctions such as cease & desist orders, fees, fines, and civil penalties.

• Working knowledge of federal standards and statutes such as Title IV and Title IX of the Higher Education Act, Federal Education Privacy Rights Act, and other related statutes and rules.

• Ability to communicate effectively with school owners, teachers, administrators, and students on complex regulatory matters.

• Ability to prioritize multiple projects, rapidly shifting priorities in a deadline-oriented work environment.

• Attention to detail, ability to focus for extended periods of time on a single regulatory issue.

• Familiarity with the administrative rulemaking processes, hearings, timelines, and stakeholder involvement

• Legal background or training preferred.

• Experience with policy development.

Preferred:

• Possesses knowledge of financial management processes, knowledge of accounting principles, standards and techniques, and basic knowledge of budgets, cost analysis, and managing cash flow and a general ledger.

• Possesses demonstrable experience assessing the financial health of institutions.

Minimum Qualifications (Required Skills)

Five years experience doing administrative research that included compiling and evaluating facts to recommend management action, or decide compliance or eligibility with program guidelines and regulations. Three of the five years must be above the technical support level.

(Note: some positions may require experience in a specific regulatory industry or program)

College-level course work may substitute for experience on the basis of 45-quarter units per year, up to a maximum of three years.

Some Positions May Require: A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration and two years of the specified experience.

The Benefits

• Competitive medical, vision and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members.

• Opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation savings program.

• A fabulous retirement program.  to visit our full benefits website.

• Work-life balance

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year.

• 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month.

• Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 8 hours per month, with increases every 5 years.