State Authorization Coordinator

– Office of Accreditation and Credentialing

Fixed-Term

Rossier School of Education

Los Angeles, California

The Office of Accreditation and Credentialing is responsible for the collection and analysis of accountability data to ensure that the Rossier School of Education has practices and outcomes consistent with our mission. This office ensures that all candidates meet Federal, State and Program requirements before being recommended for an education credential. The mission of the USC Rossier School of Education is to prepare leaders to achieve educational equity through practice, research and policy. We work to improve learning opportunities and outcomes in urban settings and to address disparities that affect historically marginalized groups. We teach our students to value and respect the cultural context of the communities in which they work and to interrogate the systems of power that shape policies and practices. Through innovative thinking and research, we strive to solve the most intractable educational problems.

The Office of Accreditation and Credentialing is seeking a State Authorization Coordinator who will join the team to perform the specialized duties associated with ensuring that all of our Rossier programs that operate in states other than California are fully approved to do so. The coordinator will work closely with the Provost’s office in working with Rossier programs to apply for the authorization to operate in the various states. The State Authorization Coordinator will also support candidates who complete licensure programs at Rossier in verifying program completion as they seek to transfer/apply for a subsequent credential in states other than California. 

The coordinator will report to Dr. Cathy R. Creasia, director of the Office of Accreditation and Credentialing. Under the direction of the Director of Accreditation and Credentialing, the State Authorization Coordinator will collect data and information from the various Rossier programs to submit for state authorizations as they become due. The position will require specialized knowledge regarding education/k programs and how the program curriculum prepares candidates per licensure requirements as defined by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC) and CA Dept of Ed. to support and audit the qualifications for admission, preparation and completion of fieldwork, credential recommendations and employment authorizations for teacher and service credential candidates. 

This position requires extreme attention to detail, excellent written and verbal communication/report writing skills, the ability to manage multiple deadlines and superior customer service skills. This position also requires the ability to provide prompt and professional responses and follow up. The coordinator will be in frequent contact with the Provost’s office and various program directors to support state authorization processes. Other key attributes for success in this position include an affinity for report writing, strong commitment to accuracy, having a positive attitude, thinking ahead and being supportive.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Essential functions: % of time

Manage state authorization reports for all Rossier programs that operate outside of California.

Work with the Provost’s office in preparing information/forms and evidence as needed for state authorization application submittals. 

Evaluate, process and update student credential candidate files as needed

Link licensure documents to student files as needed

Maintain paper file system of candidate data as needed

Maintain database of program and candidate information for Accreditation reporting and program improvement efforts

Serve as the primary point of contact for USC staff in gathering required information for state authorizations

Respond to student questions regarding licensure requirements 

Process, review, and complete out of state program verification forms for student teaching, licensure, credential, authorizations and state certificates as needed. 

Assist the Director of Accreditation and Credentialing with gathering data for state and federal reports

Attend CTC workshops for credential analysts and conferences as directed by the Director of Accreditation and Credentialing

Provides administrative support to the office of Accreditation and Credentialing.

Screens and prioritizes incoming calls and e-mail requests. Responds to inquiries or refers to the appropriate staff person. Composes correspondence, mostly via email.

Organizes electronic and hard copy files to facilitate confidentiality and ease of document retrieval in preparation for out of state authorization and out of state program verifications. 

Researches and gathers data and information, as requested.

Maintains office equipment and supplies.

Other duties as assigned.

Candidate Credential Advising

Serve as the primary point of contact for USC staff in determining the appropriate credential and/or degree programs for prospective students as related to out of state program verifications. 

Create and maintain an accurate database of credential candidates via USC Shared Drive (One Note)

Track candidates through Credential Recommendation and enter graduate data into databases.

Credential Recommendations

Monitor student completion of non-coursework requirements as needed

Process out-of-state verifications

Serve as a liaison to states other than California for licensure questions

Special Conditions of Employment: 

Working conditions are normal for an office environment. Work may require occasional weekend and/or evening work. They need to be able to work flexible hours, particularly given campuses’ extended hours of operation. 

Previous Experience Required:

2+ years’ experience in k-, and/or working in a credential services, education accreditation or related department

Knowledge of CTC and/or k- educator policies in regards to licensure.

High level of team experience and customer service. 

Ability to manage and meet deadlines consistently

Attention to detail, accurate report writing and record keeping

Knowledge of credentials and accreditation policies. 

Able to work in a complex process system of auditing, evaluating and analyzing information environments.

Ability to use technology for better efficiency and processing overall flow.

Desired Qualifications:

Experience working within a department within higher education reviewing student files, analyzing student information in Higher Education or experience with district/school level HR related to credentialing

Trained as a recommending agent by the CTC.

Knowledge of Accreditation as related to teacher preparation program requirements

Experience with student teaching placement, accreditation and credential processes preferred.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Submit your application through our online system at

Along with your application, be sure to submit both a cover letter and a resume. Indicate the REQ number of the position you are applying for in your cover letter.

The hourly pay range for this position is $.-$.. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree, Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum educationMinimum Experience: 2 years Minimum Field of Expertise: Directly related professional experience in program specialization, e.g., counseling or teaching.

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