State of Maryland

A Staff Specialist III, Higher Education is work in the administration of post-secondary educational programs for the Maryland Higher Education Commission.  Employees in this classification specialize in educational program services and support and provide advice, consultation and technical assistance to other educators and administrators in educational institutions and agencies.  

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher level Staff Specialist or a designated administrator.

Position allocation within the Staff Specialist I-IV, Higher Education series is determined on the basis of relative job evaluation among similarly functioning positions.  The job evaluation factors include: qualifications; nature and purpose of personal contacts; nature of recommendations, commitments, decisions, and conclusions; creative thought; planning; responsibility for administration; and the nature of supervision received.

Provides direct, specialized technical assistance in educational program areas to Maryland's post-secondary educational institutions, State agencies and the general public;

Interprets and explains federal and State rules, regulations, and procedures governing the program(s) assigned;

Collects and analyzes data for evaluation in accordance with applicable federal and State laws, rules and regulations;

Provides advice, guidance and training regarding higher education programs to employees in post secondary educational institutions;

Conducts or assists in conducting policy analysis and research projects in higher education;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures governing higher education programs;

Ability to develop, implement and evaluate program objectives;

Ability to analyze program issues and to recommend solutions;

Ability to comprehend, apply, interpret and explain laws and regulations governing higher educational programs;

Ability to learn computer software applications;

Ability to communicate through the presentation of analyses and reports;

Ability to maintain effective working relationships with supervisors, subordinates, federal, State and local public officials and the general public.

Education:   A Master's degree or at least 36 hours of equivalent post-baccalaureate course work from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of administrative or teaching experience in post-secondary education programs.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university for two years of the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute two additional years of experience in post-secondary education for the required education.   

Class Descriptions are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.