Staff Specialist I, Higher Education

State of Maryland•Baltimore City, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) is hiring two Staff Specialist I (Program Manager) positions in its Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA). OSFA administers Maryland state student financial aid programs, including need-based grants, career-based scholarships, awards for populations such as military veterans, and legislative scholarships. These positions focus primarily on need-based programs and programs serving unique populations and legislative scholarship recipients. The position provides professional services, including independent policy analysis, development, and implementation, to support OSFA’s statutory responsibilities for coordinating, planning, and regulating postsecondary education financial assistance. The Program Manager manages several programs, oversees daily operations and program funds, and directly supervises 1–5 staff members, with indirect oversight of additional personnel. The role also serves as a subject matter lead for state financial aid programs in the assigned unit and ensures their administration complies with Commission policies and regulations. The position reports directly to the Associate Director.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
One year of administrative or teaching experience in post-secondary education programs.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of the required experience.
A doctoral degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for the required experience.

Nice To Haves

Extensive knowledge of or experience with department processes, business principles, and practices.
Experience working independently and in a team environment with sensitive and confidential information.
Strong attention to detail and dedication to accuracy; highly organized, able to multitask, and self-starting.
Experience providing internal and external customer service, quickly identifying critical paths, and adjusting plans and approaches as needed.
Excellent oral and written communication skills and the ability to read, analyze, and interpret data.

Responsibilities

Manage funds and oversee administration of financial assistance programs within the assigned unit.
Manage daily operations and ensure effective administration of assigned financial assistance programs.
Assist in designing, developing, and modifying financial assistance programs, and conduct assessments to support program improvement.
Provide timely and accurate financial aid information to students, families, and institutional partners.
Supervise verification of eligibility documentation and maintain accurate program records.
Maintain current knowledge of relevant statutory requirements, regulations, policies, procedures, and technological systems.
Contribute to policy development and provide legislative and statistical analysis for internal and external stakeholders, including the Department of Legislative Services and the Department of Budget and Management.
Monitor assigned programs for compliance with state laws and internal policies.
Analyze audit findings and recommend corrective actions in coordination with agency leadership and legal counsel.
Collaborate with the Associate Directors of Operations and Systems and other OSFA staff to align MDCAPS operations with program requirements and regulations.
Provide leadership and support to staff; develop procedures, facilitate training, and implement continuous process improvements.
Assist the Executive Director with special projects, including Managing for Results submissions, Joint Chairmen’s Reports, and participation in workgroups and task forces.
Serve as a liaison to internal units, external agencies, and community organizations.
Prepare reports, publications, and other communication materials as required.
Perform additional duties assigned by the Director or the Secretary of Higher Education, along with other similar OSFA and administrative duties.
Supervise staff and oversee operational functions such as telephone inquiries, document processing, and responses to email inquiries.