Employment

This page includes information about current vacancies in the Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner and on searches being run by the Council on Postsecondary Education. The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner is an AA/EEOD employer and values diversity. Salary ranges can be found on the OPC non-union, non-classified pay plan.

Information on vacancies at the public institutions of higher education can be found on their employment websites: 

Employment at URI  |  Employment at RIC  |  Employment at CCRI

Current vacancies

OFFICE OF THE POSTSECONDARY COMMISSIONER 

Senior Business Analyst, Budget and Financial Planning

The successful candidate will assist the chief financial offcer in budgeting & financial planning, communications, data gathering, research projects, follow-up with institutions of higher learning and others, and financial support performing complex and problem-solving duties in a deadline driven environment. Additional duties to include research, develop, evaluate, and formulate draft communications on policies and processes from the CFO. Provide support for time-sensitive requests from executive and legislative branches and other external areas. Independently evaluate and review complex information and prepare comprehensive analyses, and reports relating to activities throughout OPC. Assist in the development and analysis of all financial status reports for OPC to include journalizing revenue and expenditure adjusting entries into the accounting system. Responsible for the accurate and timely entry and payment of all invoices for OPC, which includes its education centers.

Specific duties
• Process requisitions, purchase orders and journal entries for Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, Westerly Education Center, and RI Nursing Education Center.
• Maintain all financial records for all funding sources.
• Work with Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, Westerly Education Center, RI Nursing Education Center and State of RI purchasing staff to post bids for various services and goods to be procured by agency. (Prepare RFPs)
• Oversee the reconciliation of budgets and accounts including PCards and compare allocation and overhead funds and expenditures against approved budgets on a monthly basis. Submit all records in a timely manner.
• Maintain prospective and retrospective records of all service contracts and routine purchases.
• Prepare financial reports including financial analysis and projections of operations.
• Manage, track and coordinate grants procured by Office of Postsecondary Commissioner and Westerly Education Center.
• Track budgets vs. expenditures and encumbrances for all accounts, including general revenue funds, grants and contracts.
• Review various data, compile summaries and recommendations for presentation and/or communication of data to senior management and others.
• Assist in the development and analysis of all financial status reports for the office to include journalizing revenue and expenditure adjusting entries into the accounting system.
• Update reports to be used by management and senior management, such as talking points for legislative hearings.
• Update various budget documents, some of which are in narrative form to include the coordination of budget submission by OPC and the public institutions of higher education.
• Perform a continuous review of various budget and accounting processes and recommend ways to streamline with efficiency and effectiveness outcomes.
• Coordinate with staff across OPC relative to completion of various reports.
• Establish documents and files and ensure that they are maintained and updated on an ongoing basis.
• Track information from executive and legislative branches of government that may impact budgets for OPC, RIC and CCRI.
• Handle information of a sensitive and confidential nature.
• Perform additional duties as required.

Qualifications
• A bachelor's degree in accounting or a related field; and at least 5 years of experience in a business management function that provides evidence of substantial quantitative knowledge and skills in business management and budgeting or the equivalent combination thereof.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget processes and analysis.
• Demonstrated computer expertise with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based systems.
• Ability to produce clear and concise reports.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Excellent communications and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to handle details accurately and to plan, communicate, and oversee work on a variety of fiscal projects.
• Critical thinking to troubleshoot and solve complex financial inquiries.
• Demonstrated experience with troubleshooting and resolution of issues.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and synthesize complex data, to undertake new initiatives, and to work in an environment with complex policies and procedures.
• Ability to work independently and effectively as well as collaboratively across multiple areas.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and coordinate complex tasks and oversee projects.
• Experience in a university, college, government institution or similar setting is preferred.

This is a full-time, non-classified, non-union position. The pay grade is 12, and the position reports to the chief financial officer.

Apply for this position.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 RHODE ISLAND NURSING EDUCATION CENTER 

Standardized Patient Actor (Part-time)

Portray a patient or supporting role for RINEC healthcare simulations, based on curricular case studies for Rhode Island College (RIC) and the University of Rhode Island (URI). Ideal for a person looking for part-time flexible work.

For more information please select the job description.  

Apply for this position.

WOONSOCKET EDUCATION CENTER 

No current openings 

WESTERLY EDUCATION CENTER

Business Operations Coordinator (full-time)

The Business Operations Coordinator is responsible for recommending, implementing and administering the business functions of Westerly Education Center including consumable tracking, ordering of consumables, budget tracking, grant oversight, and processing personnel actions. Responsible for all business functions of Westerly Education Center including accounts receivable, accounts payable, accounting, grants and fiscal budgets.

 Essential duties

• Participate in planning sessions with the Executive Director of Westerly Education Center to prepare budgets for inclusion in the OPC budget.
• Develop and implement the budget and accounting system.
• Prepare financial reports for the Executive Director, including financial analysis and projections of operations.
• Track budgets vs. expenditures and encumbrances for all accounts, including general revenue funds, grants and contracts.
• Maintain all financial records, personnel records etc., for all funding sources.
• Maintain prospective and retrospective records of all service contracts, inventories and routine purchases.
• Prepare contracts for various services, e.g., equipment leases and service agreements.
• Assist Executive Director with the development and implementation of the reporting structure for evaluation and comparison to goals and objectives.
• Ensure that financial policies and procedures of the institution that is hosting the financial activity in its accounting system are adhered to, including adherence to general accepted accounting principles. Recommend for implementation to the Executive Director financial policies and procedures specific to the WEC if required.
• Monitor, oversee, and prepare contracts for various services, e.g., equipment leases and service agreements.
• Maintain various fiscal/administrative databases.
• Assist in maintaining equipment and facilities through either contractual means or coordination with building contractual arrangements in coordination with other employees.
• Oversee the reconciliation of college budgets and accounts including PCards with WEC’s financial records, and compare allocation and overhead funds and expenditures against approved budgets on a monthly basis.
• Provide support to and liaise with staff with prescribed federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures, including adherence to best practices accounting principles.
• Train, assist, and support area coordinators, principal investigators, support staff and others in business functions. Supervise designated professional and administrative support staff and student workers with budget, financial, personnel, and purchasing responsibilities.
• Will be required to assist members of the public, students, and prospective students in a customer service capacity.
• Process requisitions, purchase orders and journal entries for Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, Westerly Education Center, and RI Nursing Education Center.
• Work with Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner, Westerly Education Center and State of RI purchasing staff to post bids for various services and goods to be procured by agency.
• Manage, track and coordinate grants procured by Office of Postsecondary Commissioner and Westerly Education Center. OPC/WEC acts as the fiscal agent on more than 25 RealJobsRI grants with the RI Department of Labor, SNAP E&T grant program, US Department of Labor Apprenticeship grant, and various other monies granted by donors.
• Manage relationships with workforce training partners.
• Assist students in grant-funded workforce trainings with enrollment and services.
• Assist in managing the daily operations of Westerly Education Center.

LICENSES, TOOLS, AND EQUIPMENT: Personal computers, printers, word processing, database management, and spreadsheet software.
Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree in business or related field; and at least 5 years of experience in a business management function that provides evidence of substantial quantitative knowledge and skills in business management and budgeting.
• Demonstrated knowledge of budget processes and analysis
• Demonstrated computer expertise with word processing, spreadsheets, databases, and web-based systems such as PeopleSoft
• Ability to produce clear and concise reports
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated ability to handle details accurately and to plan, communicate, and oversee work on a variety of fiscal projects
• Demonstrated ability to organize and synthesize complex data, to undertake new initiatives, and to work in an environment with complex policies and procedures
• Ability to work independently and effectively
• Critical thinking to troubleshoot and solve complex financial inquiries
• Must be able to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules, and regulations and to communicate the interpretation to subordinates and others
• Experience in a university, college, government institution or similar setting is preferred.

 To apply, send a resume and cover letter to Faith Hanson at faith.hanson@riopc.edu no later than May 25, 2022. 

Specialist II, Grants & Contracts
Westerly Education Center & Woonsocket Education Center

Rhode Island Higher Education & Industry Centers of the Rhode Island Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner seeks to hire a development professional to help procure grants and funding for expansion of our educational and workforce development programs. The position is grant-funded, expiring 12/31/24. This is a full-time position.

Responsibilities
Prepare and review grant or contract proposals and award documents; negotiate agreements with governmental and private sponsors on behalf of RIOPC in accordance with relevant federal, state, council, and other grantor guidelines; draft or compile subcontracts and contracts as needed; develop budgets and other administrative details of proposals; identify potential sources of external funding using criteria provided; adopt new computer technology for electronic transmission of proposals; and execute related duties as assigned.

• Draft high-quality written materials for potential funders, including grant proposals, letters, reports, mailers, and acknowledgements required to support ongoing development activities.
• Compose and review proposals for external funding and review agreements, award documents, subcontracts, purchase orders, or other sponsored-programs vehicles to assure compliance with all federal, state, council and other grantor requirements and accuracy.
• Responsible for the negotiation and finalization of subcontracts in collaboration with the Executive Director, the Assistant Commissioner for Student Success, or the Commissioner of Postsecondary Education.
• Adapt new technologies for electronic transmission of proposals by government funding agencies, non-governmental funding agencies, or other sponsors, as required.
• Draft or compile appropriate agreements, subcontracts, or contracts for sponsored programs and projects, taking into account relevant requirements, statutes, regulations, and policies. Develop narratives and budgets for project proposals. Meet with RIOPC staff, staff of URI, RIC, and CCRI, as well as other state and non-governmental partners. Knowledge of Federal New Uniform Guidance required.
• Build and maintain an electronic database containing factors that affect allowable costs, tracking expenses, reimbursements, grant start and end dates, and other necessary requirements.
• Work with grantors on administrative and fiscal aspects of the project proposals, awards, and amendments, in accordance with relevant federal, state, council, and grantor requirements.
• Supervise clerical and technical personnel as assigned; execute related duties as required.

REQUIRED: Bachelor's degree; Demonstrated experience in business, accounting, public administration, or a related field; Minimum of three years’ experience in a grant-related position; Demonstrated experience in preparing and submitting grant project proposals, budgets, agreements, contracts and subcontracts in a university, hospital, or similar non-profit setting; Demonstrated knowledge of government software packages for electronic transmission of proposals; Demonstrated knowledge of principles and practices of budgeting for public sector university sponsored projects; Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills; Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills; Demonstrated presentation skills; Demonstrated computer experience (i.e. word processing, database, and spreadsheet functions); Demonstrated familiarity with federal, state, and sponsor level requirements for sponsored projects; Demonstrated supervisory experience; and demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations. PREFERRED: Master's degree

Submit cover letter and resume to Faith.Hanson@riopc.edu. The deadline is April 6, 2022. 

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Senior Information Technologist
Westerly Education Center and Woonsocket Education Center

The Office of the Postsecondary Commissioner seeks to hire a senior information technologist who will be responsible for performing a variety of complex technical support tasks within the area of specialization directly related to the operation and maintenance of mini computers, networks, virtual desktops, and/or telecommunications systems, as well as other related systems; and to do related work as required. The senior information technologist works under the general supervision of a superior with latitude for the exercise of independent judgement; and receives detailed instructions on some complex assignments. Work is subject to review usually upon completion for proper application of system management techniques.

Essential Duties

• Implement, maintain and document operating system software and/or applications software as directed by management or project team leaders.
• Develop knowledge of multiple software packages as required.
• Maintain security within networks and domains.
• Assist with network and domain maintenance.
• Ensure functionality of all IT equipment including labs, video capture, AV classroom equipment, and access to web-based programs.
• Participate in projects to integrate new technologies including installing, configuring, and testing new hardware and software.
• Function independently or as a member of an information technology team.
• Respond to technical emergencies.
• Provide desktop and printer support services for faculty and staff.
• Provide technical help with multiple operating systems from Microsoft and Apple.
• Develop technical proficiency with all aspects of the operation, maintenance, support, and troubleshooting.
• Evaluate, specify, and procure related components.
• Assist with managing contracts, and vendor relationships in support of information technology initiatives.
• Travel between two education center locations in Westerly and Woonsocket is required.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Experience with personal computers, printers, and Microsoft Office Suite
• Demonstrated knowledge of desktop computer hardware and software (Windows and Macintosh platforms), and the ability to provide end user support and troubleshoot user problems with computer hardware and software.
• Experience with Microsoft Server OS and Active Directory.
• Experience with VMware vSphere and Horizon.
• Ability to understand institutional policies, plans, objectives, rules, and regulations and communicate the interpretation to subordinates and others.
• Ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing) and possess strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to document procedures and practices.
• Demonstrated project management skills.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience: A minimum of four years of relevant experience in information technology.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience administering next generation firewalls.
• Experience administering network switches.
• Experience administering storage area network devices.
• Experience working in a higher education setting.

This position reports to the executive director of the Westerly Education Center and the Woonsocket Education Center. This is a full-time (35 hours per week) position wiht a salary grade level of 12. The position may require lifting, moving, and installation of heavy equipment, and other related information technology components.

Submit cover letter and resume to Faith.Hanson@riopc.edu.The deadline is April 6, 2022.