Postsecondary Alignment and Dual Enrollment Specialist - 60023081

State of South Carolina • Lexington County, SC

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Postsecondary Alignment and Dual Enrollment Specialist serves as the primary agency coordinator for postsecondary partnership and alignment activities within the South Carolina Department of Education’s Office of Career Readiness. The role strengthens connections between K–12 and higher education by coordinating dual enrollment efforts, supporting articulation and transfer agreements, and advancing policy alignment among postsecondary partners. The specialist serves as a liaison between the Office of Career Readiness and higher education institutions, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the SC Technical College System, and other state partners to help establish coordinated pathways from high school to postsecondary education and careers.

The position supports expanded access to dual enrollment, postsecondary readiness, and alignment of K–12 programming with postsecondary and workforce needs reflected in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate. It is located in the Office of Career Readiness and requires occasional statewide travel, with possible travel to state and national conferences. Some evening or weekend work may be necessary during peak periods. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in education, management, or business.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to develop policy guidance documents, reports, and professional correspondence.
• Ability to build and sustain effective partnerships with school districts, higher education institutions, state agencies, and department offices, and to represent the agency professionally.
• Strong project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, timelines, and stakeholder relationships simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint, and other collaboration platforms.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• Master’s degree in Education, Higher Education Administration, Public Policy, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of professional experience in K–12 education, higher education, postsecondary partnership coordination, or education policy.
• Experience with dual enrollment programs, postsecondary alignment initiatives, or state-level education agencies.
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal education statutes and regulations.
• Ability to interpret complex state and federal statutes and regulations and translate them into clear, actionable guidance for practitioners.
• Knowledge of CTE programs and pathways and the role of postsecondary alignment in advancing student outcomes.
• Knowledge of South Carolina’s postsecondary education landscape, including the roles of the Commission on Higher Education, the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education, and individual institutions of higher learning.
• Knowledge of South Carolina education laws and regulations, including the Education and Economic Development Act, the SC Dual Enrollment Opportunity Act, Regulation 43-234, and applicable Perkins V provisions.
• Knowledge of postsecondary education systems, transfer and articulation policies, dual enrollment frameworks, MOA/MOU requirements, and related federal and state reporting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and advance dual enrollment efforts across the South Carolina Department of Education in alignment with state law.
• Collaborate with program teams, the Office of Curriculum, Standards, and Assessment, and the Education Oversight Committee to align dual enrollment practices with state policy and federal requirements.
• Track statewide compliance and program quality indicators.
• Support statewide UGP alignment with higher education institutions and serve as a liaison on grading standards, course weighting, credit transfer, and transcript equity for dual enrollment and articulation coursework.
• Serve as the primary agency liaison between the Office of Career Readiness and postsecondary partners, including the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the SC Technical College System, and public and independent higher education institutions.
• Coordinate joint activities, standing meetings, and communications to advance statewide postsecondary alignment.
• Represent the department on statewide committees, workgroups, cross-functional teams, and at local, regional, and statewide meetings, conferences, and professional organizations related to dual enrollment, transfer, articulation, and postsecondary access.
• Contribute to office-wide strategic planning, professional learning, and continuous improvement activities.
• Review, evaluate, and interpret federal and state laws, regulations, and policies related to dual enrollment, postsecondary alignment, articulation, UGP, and postsecondary readiness.
• Develop and distribute written guidance, FAQs, toolkits, and professional development resources for school districts, counselors, and career specialists.
• Advise agency leadership and stakeholders on implementation strategies, policy updates, and emerging issues.
• Support innovative CTE pathways and postsecondary credential attainment strategies, including early college programs, stackable credentials, and work-based learning experiences with postsecondary components.
• Collaborate with Office of Career Readiness team leads, pathway associates, and external partners to connect K–12 and postsecondary education in high-demand career areas.
• Respond to technical assistance requests and support special projects, presentations, professional development, and agency-wide or divisional priorities as directed.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health, dental, vision, long-term disability, and life insurance coverage for employee, spouse, and children.
• 15 days of annual (vacation) leave per year.
• 15 days of sick leave per year.
• 13 paid holidays.
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.

What This Job Offers

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