Postsecondary Alignment and Dual Enrollment Specialist - 60023081

Posting number: 195080

Department: Department of Education

Job classification: Education Associate

Posting type: Open

Categories: Education

Summary

The mission of the South Carolina Department of Education is to serve students, support teachers, empower parents, and engage the community so that every student graduates prepared to reach their full potential.

Job Purpose:
The Postsecondary Alignment Specialist serves as the primary agency coordinator for postsecondary partnership and alignment activities within the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE), Office of Career Readiness (OCR). This position strengthens the connection between K–12 education and higher education systems by coordinating dual enrollment efforts, supporting the implementation of articulation and transfer agreements, and advancing policy alignment across postsecondary partnerships. The specialist serves as a key liaison between OCR and institutions of higher education, the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the SC Technical College System, and other state postsecondary partners to ensure students have meaningful, well-coordinated pathways from high school to postsecondary education and careers. This role supports South Carolina’s commitment to expanding access to dual enrollment, strengthening postsecondary readiness, and aligning K–12 programming with the postsecondary and workforce needs reflected in the Profile of the South Carolina Graduate.

Responsibilities: 

• Lead Dual Enrollment Coordination and Compliance Support: Coordinate and advance dual enrollment efforts across SCDE in alignment with state law. Collaborate with OCR program teams, the Office of Curriculum, Standards, and Assessment, and the Education Oversight Committee to ensure dual enrollment practices align with state policy and federal requirements. Track compliance and program quality indicators statewide. Support statewide UGP alignment in partnership with higher education institutions, and serve as a liaison between K–12 and postsecondary systems on grading standards, course weighting, credit transfer, and transcript equity for dual enrollment and articulation coursework. 
• Coordinate Postsecondary Partnerships: Serve as the primary agency liaison between OCR and postsecondary partners, including the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education, the SC Technical College System, and public and independent institutions of higher education. Coordinate joint activities, standing meetings, and communication to advance statewide postsecondary alignment. Represent SCDE and OCR on statewide committees, workgroups, and cross-functional teams related to dual enrollment, transfer, articulation, and postsecondary access, and at local, regional, and statewide meetings, conferences, and professional organizations. Contribute to office-wide strategic planning, professional learning, and continuous improvement activities.
• Interpret Policy and Provide Technical Assistance: Review, evaluate, and interpret federal and state laws, regulations, and policies related to dual enrollment, postsecondary alignment, articulation, UGP, and postsecondary readiness. Develop and disseminate 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.
• Advance Innovative Pathways and Credential Alignment: Support the development and alignment of innovative career and technical education (CTE) pathways and postsecondary credential attainment strategies, including early college programs, stackable credentials, and work-based learning experiences with postsecondary components. Collaborate with OCR team leads, pathway associates, and external partners to bridge K–12 and postsecondary education in high-demand career areas. 
• Perform Other Duties as Assigned: Respond to requests for technical assistance, special projects, presentations, and professional development activities, and support agency-wide and divisional priorities as directed.
  

This position is located in the Office of Career Readiness.

Examples of duties

A bachelor's degree and experience in education, management or business.

Qualifications

• 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. 
• Minimum of three (3) 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.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret complex state and federal statutes and regulations and translate them into clear, actionable guidance for practitioners. 
• Knowledge of career and technical education (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 (CHE), the State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education (SBTCE), and individual institutions of higher learning.
• Knowledge of South Carolina education laws and regulations, including the Education and Economic Development Act (EEDA), 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, Memoranda of Agreement or Understanding (MOA/MOU) requirements, and related federal and state reporting requirements.
• 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 diverse stakeholders, including school districts, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and SCDE 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 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint) and other collaboration platforms.
  

Supplemental information

This position requires occasional statewide travel to attend meetings, conferences, and site visits with school districts, institutions of higher education, and partner agencies, as well as possible travel to state and national conferences. Some evening or weekend work may be necessary during peak periods. 

As a part of a generous compensation package, we offer comprehensive benefits that include generous paid time off, preeminent health care benefits, professional development opportunities, pension, a 401(k), and a hybrid work schedule with opportunity for remote work.   The South Carolina Department of Education offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:  

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children. 
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year. 
• 15 days sick leave per year. 
• 13 paid holidays. 
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs 
  

ONLY THOSE APPLICANTS CHOSEN FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE NOTIFIED BY LETTER THAT THE POSITION HAS BEEN FILLED.

http://www.ed.sc.gov/jobs/human-resources/title-ix-nondiscrimination/