Higher Education Policy Analyst - 61078818

Are you an experienced professional looking for new opportunities to further your career? The South Carolina Commission on Higher Education is seeking a hardworking and dependable candidate just like you to apply! This position will offer great benefits with the state, including 15 days of annual and sick leave per year or more depending on applicable state service.

Responsibilities of the Higher Education Policy Analyst: The Program Coordinator II will serve as the agency’s Higher Education Policy Analyst (Analyst). The Analyst is responsible for researching state and national higher education trends, policies, and legislation and producing relevant deliverables to communicate to a variety of stakeholders. With guidance from the General Counsel and PED, the Analyst reviews and summarizes proposed legislation and regulations and their effect on SC higher education and the agency.

Working independently, with guidance from the CHE’s President and Executive Director (PED) and reporting directly to the General Counsel, reviews policy and legislative action that affects public higher education, and the goals of the agency. Must be able to respond quickly to information requests, act independently with confidentiality and discretion. The employee must be self-sufficient in performing all assigned duties in a timely manner.

• Conducts research in collaboration with CHE staff of higher education policies. Gathers and analyzes data related to existing educational systems, processes and policies. Use research to draft new education policies or propose amendments to policies.

• Conducts research and summarizes higher education legislative actions (state, federal, regional, and institution sector specific), regulations, executive and agency actions and legal cases. Analyzes how federal or state laws impact higher education in SC.

• Analyzes proposed state and federal legislation impacting higher education in SC and provide summaries of effect. Serves as point person in developing fiscal impact statements as requested from legislative and EBO staff. Provides regular updates for staff, Commissioners and the CHE website during the legislative and budget sessions. With guidance from PED and the General Counsel, communicate with and convenes institutional governmental relations staff as needed.

• Document and communicate research findings through policy briefs and memos, reports and presentations to lawmakers, educators, and other key stakeholders. Drafts communications about policies to Commissioners, lawmakers and other stakeholders.

• Participates in cross-Agency research group. Regularly collaborates and discusses current or proposed agency-developed statewide higher education policies with agency Office directors. Participates in cross-functional teams to address key policy issues for agency Offices.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

• A bachelor’s degree and three years of public administration, business or higher education work experience or a graduate degree in public administration or related discipline.

Additional requirements:• Position may require overnight travel.

• Position may require the employee to work evenings and weekends.
• The ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules and regulations pertaining to the agency & higher education.
• The ability to review and digest research pertaining to higher education.
• The ability to collaborate as well as communicate effectively through written & oral presentations.
• The ability to work in a fast-paced political environment, assess needs of stakeholders and adjust working style as appropriate for the environment.
• The ability to be discreet and hold matters in confidence.
• The ability to represent the agency with professionalism.
• The ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while working collaboratively with co-workers, diverse higher education communities and other stakeholders.