Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement

Company: WICHE
Location: Boulder
Posted on: May 6, 2022

Job Description:

This website is AudioEye enabled and is being optimized for accessibility. To open the AudioEye Toolbar, press shift + =. The toolbar contains the followingThe AudioEye Help Desk to report accessibility and usability related issues.The AudioEye Certification Statement to explain the ongoing web accessibility and usability enhancements for this website.The Player tool to listen to this site read aloud. The Player is not intended as a substitute for your screen reader. If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process. Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement Exempt Professional Boulder, CO, US 22 days ago Requisition ID: 1068 Position Title: Director, WICHE State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (W-SARA)Classification: -Full Time - ExemptSalary: $90,000 - $105,000 Annually depending on experiencePosition available: Immediately - Please apply with resume AND cover letter.Location: This position is intended to operate from WICHE's Boulder, Colorado office, however, with the right candidate, a remote, out-of-state location may be possible. In such cases, the director will need to travel to Boulder on a regular basis for face-to-face meetings.The PositionWICHE is seeking a proactive, collaborative leader with extensive experience in relationship building, project management, and demonstrated skill in navigating complex policy environments to manage the implementation and oversight of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA) for the WICHE region. The W-SARA Director plays a pivotal role in the implementation and evolution of the dynamic policy area of interstate postsecondary distance education regulation. In close collaboration with state, regional, and national stakeholders, the director will support WICHE's mission of expanding access to and the excellence of higher education through their effective stewardship of the reciprocity agreement in the Western region.Under the supervision of the Vice President of Policy, Analysis and Research, the Director supervises a project manager and several consultants, and will have the following responsibilities:State Support

• Staff W-SARA's Regional Steering Committee (RSC)-an advisory council of SARA practitioners and distance education experts representing Western states-through the planning and facilitation of regular virtual meetings, periodic in-person events, communications, and other support (for example, committee member appointments, new member orientation, etc.) as needed. -
• Provide technical assistance to W-SARA state members in the implementation of the reciprocity agreement, including: advising on legislative, regulatory, and structural considerations; consultation on SARA-related policy and practice issues; and assisting in the onboarding of new SARA-related staff.
• Oversee the biannual state SARA membership renewal process, from state application to staff evaluation to RSC consideration through WICHE Commission approval.
• Routinely liaise with partner organizations-the Midwestern, Northern, and Southern regional education compacts which oversee reciprocity in their regions and the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) the nonprofit organization which coordinates SARA nationally-to ensure coordinated implementation of reciprocity.
• Build and maintain relationships across diverse stakeholder groups with differing perspectives.
• Serve as an expert resource on matters pertaining to state authorization reciprocity for institutions, states, policymakers, and WICHE's leadership.
• Represent W-SARA at meetings, conferences, and forums, including WICHE Commission meetings and NC-SARA Board meetings.
• Respond to constituent inquiries, such as those from institutions, states, partner organizations, WICHE Commissioners, and other stakeholders.
• Collaborate with WICHE's communications staff to ensure effective representation of state authorization, WICHE's role, and other relevant policy issues to key stakeholders.Policy Analysis & Research
  • Offer guidance on SARA-related policy questions, both in regard to current policy and the impact of potential policy changes across varied state contexts.
  • Maintain a working knowledge of relevant state and federal regulations and policies.
  • In collaboration with WICHE leadership, W-SARA staff, state partners, and other stakeholders, develop strong strategic responses to changes in the state authorization landscape.Operations & Management
    • Develop strategic vision and direction for W-SARA.
    • Hire, supervise, and evaluate the performance of W-SARA staff and consultants.
    • Prepare and administer the W-SARA budget.
    • Collect and prepare relevant data for W-SARA.Position Specifications:Required:1. Master's degree in a relevant field with at least eight years recent experience in a similar position, or equivalent level of total professional experience.2. Proven ability to establish and maintain effective, cooperative, and cordial internal and external working relationships.3. Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, with the ability to speak to and write clearly for policy audiences such as legislators, governors' staff, and state agency officials.4. Demonstrated project management skills, including ability to work in a self-directed and highly organized manner; exceptional attention to detail; the ability to juggle competing priorities and meet tight deadlines; and knowledge of budgeting principles and practices.5. Familiarity with higher education operations, governance, and the regulatory environment at the national, institutional, state, and local levels.6. Experience with planning and conducting effective workshops, conferences, or other forums, including collaborating with consultants and others to develop engaging and informative programming.7. Demonstrated ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality with materials and information.8. Willingness to learn and acquire additional skills and responsibilities as necessary.Preferred:1. Doctorate or other terminal degree in a field appropriate to the role, such as law, political science, higher education, public policy, sociology, or economics.2. Experience in developing, maintaining, and strengthening successful stakeholder networks.3. Understanding of postsecondary distance education landscape.4. Knowledge of institutional accreditation, program approval, and professional licensure processes.Travel: Significant travel is required with an estimate of 12-24 trips per year.About Policy Analysis and ResearchWICHE's Policy Analysis and Research unit offers various resources to support better-informed decision-making, principally at the state level. Topics for its numerous research projects and collaborations include postsecondary completion, closing attainment gaps, adult learners, and multistate data-sharing to support educational planning and workforce development. The unit's staff members serve as subject-matter experts on higher education issues including finance, state and federal financial aid, articulation and transfer, strategic planning, and student demographics. Publications, including the WICHE Insights series, explore a range of significant policy issues. Unit staff members undertake long-term grant-funded projects, collaborate with regional and national partners, and provide short-term technical assistance to WICHE members.About WICHEWICHE (Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education) and its 16 member states and territories work collaboratively to expand educational access and excellence for all residents of the West. By promoting innovation, cooperation, resource-sharing, and sound public policy among its members and their institutions, WICHE strengthens higher education's contributions to the region's social, economic, cultural, and civic life. WICHE's student access programs, policy analysis and research services, cooperative for educational technologies (WCET), and behavioral health unit work to find answers to the most critical questions facing higher education in the West today and tomorrow. For more information, please visit www.wiche.edu .WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.), dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b)retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year, sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally-protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged

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