Initial Posting Date:

08/01/2025

Application Deadline:

08/12/2025

Agency:

Higher Education Coordinating Commission

Salary Range:

$6,667 - $9,830

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Operations & Policy Analyst 3

Job Description:

Operations & Policy Analyst 3

FT/Limited Duration

Office of Student Access & Completion

Salem, Oregon

Do you enjoy strategic, operational and policy challenges? Are you entrepreneurial, collaborative, and a creative problem solver? Do you know how to cultivate and manage relationships that translate to getting results? Then look no further and join the Higher Education Coordinating Commission’s Office of Student Access and Completion team as an Operations & Policy Analyst 3.

Why Join Us

The Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) envisions a future where all people benefit from the economic, civic, and cultural impact of high-quality postsecondary education, training, and workforce development. Come work with a team that values equity, collaboration and empathy within beautiful Salem, Oregon!

Come for a job. | Stay for a career. | Make a difference… for a lifetime!

Our amazing benefits include:

• Competitive medical, vision and dental benefits package for the employee and qualified family members.

• Opportunity to participate in a deferred compensation savings program.

• A fabulous retirement program. Click here to visit our full benefits website.

• 11 paid holidays per year.

• 3 additional paid "Personal Business Days" per year.

• 8 hours of sick leave accumulated every month.

• Progressive vacation leave accrual, starting at 8 hours per month, with increases every 5 years.

• Hybrid remote work options.

• Work-life balance!

What You Will Be Doing

You will serve as policy advisor and provide support to the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, and to the Director of the Office of Student Access and Completion. The position provides high level staff support to projects and workgroups associated with areas of legislative and Commission interests related to state (public) grants, student aid investments, private scholarships, and initiatives to support access, completion and student success, across Oregon. The decisions and recommendations made and implanted by this position can have a significant impact on colleges and universities, OSAC and HECC staff, as well as tens of thousands of Oregon learners.

The Work at a Glance

• Leads and formulates state financial aid policies and designs operational systems to support state financial aid policy direction and investments (example Opportunity Grant), writes or revises state financial aid policies and administrative guidance to the field and related protocols to mitigate risk and improve operational effectiveness.

• Creates and directs highly sensitive financial aid awarding policy recommendations based on data analysis and fiscal projections, develops long range goals and administers guidelines for OSAC staff, Oregon colleges and universities, and the public. Leads the execution of program changes.

• Collaborates with all sections of OSAC, offices of the HECC, and external partners to support ongoing operational improvements.

• Responsible for updating and developing a common policies and internal and external procedural handbooks to ensure that specific financial aid program procedural guidelines and tasks are updated regularly.

• Drafts language for legislative bills, coordinates writing reports regarding the impact of legislative proposals, monitors federal and state legislative and federal regulatory/administrative changes. In relationship to federal and state financial aid programs.

• Analyzes various fund distributions, disbursements, expenditure rates, and balances across various financial aid programs and grants to; identify patterns, fund stability and interest/proceed flows, and assess potential risk factors.

• Provides financial aid periodic reports to the Director and Deputy Director and serves as liaison with the HECC’s procurement office. Ensures that contractual liabilities and responsibilities of OSAC/HECC are identified, monitored and properly addressed.

This is a full-time, limited duration position headquartered at HECC’s Salem Office and is not represented by a union. This position is required to either possess and maintain a valid driver's license by the state of residence or provide an acceptable mode of alternative transportation, in order to travel to required training and meetings. The successful candidate may be eligible for in-state hybrid work, which consists of performing duties onsite in a standard office environment and working remotely.

For a complete list of duties and working conditions, please contact the recruiter for the position description.

What We Need (Minimum Qualifications)

A Bachelor's Degree in Business or Public Administration, Behavioral or Social Sciences, Finance, Political Science or any degree in Education; and four years professional-level evaluative, analytical and planning work.
OR; Any combination of experience and education equivalent to seven years of experience that typically supports the knowledge and skills for the classification.

Desired Attributes/Skills

If you have these qualities, let us know! It’s how we will choose whom to move forward!

• Experience with administering and/or guiding policy and procedures pertaining to publicly funded student financial aid grants and/or scholarships

• Practical experience with budget forecasting expenditure rates, predicting utilization of funds and identifying/anticipating variable cost factors pertaining to publicly funded student financial aid grants and/or scholarships

• Training and/or direct experience with state or federal financial aid programs, laws, rules and regulations. Including programmatic & administrative policy engagement with advisories, institutions, students, parents and/or advocates.

• Legislative and policy analysis experience;

• Operational knowledge of and experience with Oregon, OSAC administered, student financial aid policy and programs;

• Experience conducting operational research, and evaluation of financial aid programs;

• Demonstrated leadership facilitating cross-functional teams, and highly collaborative at all levels.

• Analytical, highly communicative with internal and external stakeholders, strong writing skills, demonstrated quantitative and qualitative skills.

• Proven ability to analyze data, solve complex problems, and manage projects from initiation through completion, including use of project tracking tools and methodologies.

• Experience building and maintaining effective partnerships.

• Ability to apply equity principles and process improvements in organizational decision-making.

• Experience with public speaking, including presenting to boards/commissions or legislative bodies.

• Demonstrated strong customer service, written and oral communication skills and collaborative partnerships.

Equitable Recruiting

The HECC strives to create an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the diversity of the people we serve. We foster fairness, equity, and inclusion to create a workplace environment where everyone is treated with respect and dignity. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications of these positions, please feel free to contact us to discuss your application.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a non-traditional background.

How to Apply

Current State of Oregon Employees: State Employees Apply for Jobs Guide

External Candidates: Application Guide for External Applicants

Application Materials: The hiring manager has requested the following materials be included with your application:

• Resume

• Cover letter - no more than two (2) pages and clearly demonstrates how your education and work experience meet the desired attributes of this position.

Help Your Application Rise to the Top!

Your application materials are the perfect opportunity to highlight your interest in the position and showcase the amazing skills and experience, making you the best candidate for the position. Submissions will be screened for completeness, consistency, and communication skills at the professional level (attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.)

Need help?

For questions about the recruitment and selection process, or to request an alternate format, please contact the recruiter: Jenny Chadwick- Jenny.Chadwick@hecc.oregon.gov/ (971) 372-1275

The Fine Print

Salary Range: The range listed is the Non-PERS salary range. Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members will have their base salary increased by 6.95% and pay a 6% employee contribution to PERS.

Future Vacancies: We may use the candidates from this posting to fill future vacancies, including vacancies in similar classifications and salary ranges. This position may become permanent if future funding becomes available.

Criminal Records Check: Employment is contingent on the outcome of a criminal records check which may require fingerprints (FBI). Any history of criminal activity will be reviewed and could result in the withdrawal of an offer or termination of employment.

Veterans: If you are a veteran you may receive preference. A request will be sent to your applicant inbox to submit your veteran’s DD214 form. Click here for more information about veterans’ preference.

Visa Sponsorship: We do not offer Visa sponsorships. If you are hired, you will be required to fill out the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form, and HECC will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

The HECC is an Equal Opportunity Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). HECC does not discriminate on the basis of disability in admission or access to our programs, services, activities, hiring, and employment practices.