Regional Certification Officer

Capital Region BOCES; Town of Colonie (NY); On-site; USD 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Capital Region BOCES seeks a credentialing professional to review teacher certification applications and related credentials for NYSED compliance. The role informs applicants and school districts about pathways and requirements, conducting evaluations of out-of-state coursework for equivalency.

You will liaise with district HR staff, administrators, and applicants, ensuring timely, accurate determinations and maintaining required records. Training and background checks apply.

Qualifications

• Requires strong communication and documentation abilities.
• Experience evaluating professional credentials or in HR-related roles.
• Familiarity with NYSED credentialing standards and regulatory procedures.

Responsibilities

• Review and evaluate candidate credentials against NYSED standards to approve, deny, or request additional coursework.
• Provide technical guidance to school district HR staff, administrators, and applicants.
• Conduct timely evaluations of teacher certification applications and credentials to ensure compliance.

Skills

Communication skills

Recordkeeping

Public administration knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Education or related

Associates’ degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Education or related

High school diploma or equivalency with 5 years of experience

Tools

Office software

Job description

LOCATION

Central Administration – 900 Watervliet-Shaker Road

BASIC FUNCTION

This position is responsible for reviewing and evaluating applications for teaching certificates, professional licenses or related credentials for compliance with New York State Education Department (NYSED) requirements. The incumbent provides information to applicants, state and local education administrators and the general public on regulations pertaining to teacher certification and/or professional licensure. Incumbent researches educational programs in the United States to evaluate their equivalency to NYS standards. The work also involves conducting evaluations of teacher certification applications and credentials in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures to determine adherence to certification requirements prior to forwarding completed paperwork to the New York State Education Department’s Office of Teaching Initiatives. Employees receive mandated training provided by NYSED, Office of Teaching Initiatives. The work is performed under the general supervision of an assigned BOCES administrator with leeway allowed for independent judgement. Does related work as required

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Reviews and evaluates candidate credentials such as certification applications, transcripts and supporting documentation against NYSED standards to approve, deny or advise on additional coursework needed for teacher and administrative certification requests.
2. Provides direct technical assistance and policy guidance via phone, email and in-person consultations to school district HR staff, administrators and applicants regarding certification pathways, regulations updates and certification application status.
3. Conducts thorough, accurate and timely evaluations of applicant’s teacher certification application and credentials in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures to determine whether the application and supporting credentialing documentation, as provided by applicant, meets the certification requirements.
4. Completes evaluations for teacher certification-related applications including teaching assistant certificates and coaching licenses (temporary and professional).
5. Acts as a liaison between the staff of component school districts and the Office of Teaching Initiatives.
6. As required, researches out-of-state higher education institutions, accreditation status and course descriptions to assess whether non-NYS coursework and degree programs may meet New York State equivalency requirements to advise applicants on available certification pathways.
7. Maintains records of work performed and assists in preparing statistical reports.
8. Performs related duties, as assigned.
9. Good knowledge of credentialing techniques.
10. Good knowledge of practices, policies and procedures of public administration.
11. Good knowledge of the organization and functions of the education system.
12. Ability to develop, organize and maintain accurate records and files.
13. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
14. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
15. Ability to operate a personal computer and utilize common office software programs including word processing, spreadsheet and databases.

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university with at least a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Education or a closely related field and one (1) year of experience in evaluating professional credentials of individuals or in human resources developing job descriptions and qualifications;
2. Graduation from an accredited college or university with an Associates’ degree in Business Administration, Public Administration, Human Resources, Education or a closely related field and three (3) years of experience in evaluating professional credentials of individuals or in human resources developing job descriptions and qualifications;
3. Graduation from high school or possession of a high school equivalency diploma and five (5) years of experience in evaluating professional credentials of individuals or in human resources developing job descriptions and qualifications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT

The incumbent will be required to complete an initial mandated training by the Office of Teaching Initiatives, NYSED. Upon successful completion of the training, the Department will recognize the incumbent as the Regional Certification Officer for the Capital Region BOCES.

The selected applicant will be subject to a fingerprint-supported criminal history background check in accordance with SAVE Legislation effective July 1, 2001.

Candidates will not have to take an exam for this title. This is a NY HELPS (Hiring Emergency Limited Placement Statewide) Program designated title. NY HELPS is a temporary program designed to help local government employers address current staffing issues. Traditionally, the titles filled under the NY HELPS Program required job candidates to compete in a competitive exam to be considered for employment. For the duration of the program, this title will be classified as non-competitive and categorized as a HELPS Program position. At the close of the program, this position will revert to competitive class status. Employees occupying positions filled through the HELPS Program will be granted competitive class status without the need to participate in a competitive exam.