Education Program Specialist (Emss)

National Defense University • Fort McNair, DC

2d

About The Position

The Education Program Specialist supports the National Defense University’s mission to provide rigorous Joint Professional Military Education to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and select others. The role leads admissions planning, coordinates government agency student nominations, conducts recruiting, and works with service chairs, faculty, and deans on admissions processes and timelines. It supports, analyzes, and improves onboarding for incoming students; manages admissions in the Student Information System (SIS); and curates SharePoint and public web content for diverse audiences.

The specialist works effectively in the SIS, using an understanding of relational databases, system triggers, and detailed processes. The role documents and reviews work processes and identifies efficiencies, manages course registrations, and applies academic policies across varied circumstances while drafting and recommending policy updates. It requires careful handling of student records and personally identifiable information, strong communication, and support for students, faculty, leadership, and colleagues.

This is a National Defense University position and a Non-Critical Sensitive national security position. The selected individual must obtain and maintain a Secret security determination and pass a favorable suitability review. The position may require access to classified information.

Requirements

• Meet the basic education or experience requirement: a degree including or supplemented by at least 24 semester hours in a related field, including at least 9 semester hours in education courses; or a qualifying combination of education and experience; or four years of qualifying experience; or at least one full academic year of professional teaching experience as defined in the announcement.
• Have one year of specialized experience at the GS-09 or equivalent level, documented in the resume. Specialized experience includes academic records management, student information systems and relational databases, admissions and enrollment processes, and student services; applying academic policies and procedures; protecting student-record accuracy, integrity, privacy, and confidentiality; analyzing academic or student data and preparing reports; and coordinating with relevant stakeholders to improve academic programs, processes, or services.
• For education substitution for the GS-11 specialized-experience requirement, have three full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; qualifying combinations of graduate education and experience may also be used.
• Be a U.S. Citizen or National.
• Be suitable for Federal employment and meet applicable Selective Service registration requirements.
• Obtain and maintain a Secret security determination and pass the required background investigation and suitability review.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade, qualification, and other eligibility requirements within the timeframe specified in the announcement.
• Provide transcripts when required to establish qualifications; foreign education must be supported by an equivalency evaluation when applicable.

Responsibilities

• Lead admissions planning and coordinate government agency student nominations.
• Conduct recruiting and work with service chairs, faculty, and deans on admissions processes and timelines.
• Support, analyze, and improve onboarding for incoming students.
• Manage admissions in the Student Information System (SIS) and curate SharePoint and public website content for diverse audiences.
• Use the SIS and understand relational databases, system triggers, and complex, detailed processes.
• Document and review work processes and identify efficiencies.
• Manage course registrations.
• Apply and interpret academic policies across varying circumstances and draft and recommend policy updates.
• Provide written and verbal communication and support to students, NDU faculty, leadership, and colleagues.
• Maintain the accuracy, integrity, privacy, and confidentiality of student records and handle PII discreetly.
• Analyze academic or student data and prepare reports to support organizational decision-making.
• Coordinate with academic leaders, faculty, staff, students, or external organizations to improve academic programs, processes, or student services.

Benefits

• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package, with benefits available to the employee and family; specific benefits depend on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level