DIRECTOR INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS AND LICENSURE (MD34)

Code: 80148 State Unclassified Range: MD34 (FY 2027) Work week NL: FLSA exemptOvertime table (4A:3, Appx. A)

Salary: $80,750.34 - $113,062.74/year FY 2027 schedule (last updated 2026-07-27)

Official job specification

The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.

Examples of work

• Directs all project activities of the independent college office and participates in broad or specified evaluation studies of institutions and their respective activities; initiates recommendations, procedures, and policies as required. More specifically, facilitates the solving of institutional problems pointed out in evaluation visits at various institutions, and monitors the effectiveness of the solutions implemented
• Coordinates the institutional master plans of 27 independent institutions with the Board of Higher Education Statewide Plan.
• Meets periodically with independent college presidents and senior officials to discuss problems and mutual concerns.
• Chief Liaison to Association of Independent colleges and Institutions and its committees.
• Oversees staff activities and priorities; assigns work to appropriate staff and reviews when necessary.
• Serves as principal liaison between the Office and the Department, between the Office and independent institutions, and between the Office and other agencies, in-state and out-of-state.
• Prepares recommendations to the Chancellor and the Board of Higher Education on credit-bearing courses, degree programs, and licensure in the case of out-of-state institutions; recommends policy with respect to these institutions.
• Reviews and acts appropriately upon proposed programs from other institutional offices.
• Oversees the administration and direction of office activities related to the Independent College and University Assistance Act.
• Develops annual recommendations to the Chancellor and the Board of Higher Education for the Independent College and University Assistance Act; reports regularly to the Chancellor and the Board of Higher Education on the specific awards under the Act.
• Prepares correspondence for the Chancellor and other state officials concerning the independent institutions and out-of-state institutions.
• Serves as the Chancellor's representative on the Licensure and Approval Advisory Board.
• Secures and works with consultants, and participates in on-site visits to evaluate institutional programs prior to recommendation for licensure.
• Recommends policy changes to the Chancellor and Board of Higher Education on degree programs and licensure matters for independent institutions.
• Reviews all requests from out-of-state institutions seeking licensure in New Jersey; makes recommendations to the Chancellor relative to the licensure of new out-of-state institutions. Responsible for the staffing of the licensure and approval Advisory Board.
• Participates in Middle States accreditation visits to independent institutions as part of licensure responsibility; for unaccredited independent institutions, organizes and participates in licensure visits; prepares licensure recommendations for Chancellor and Board of Higher Education.
• Makes recommendations to the Chancellor regarding Legislation affecting independent sector, out- of-state institutions, and education on military bases.
• Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, and/or disciplining of employees
• In conjunction with the Office of Veterans Programs, supervises the review of Programs on military/federal installations.
• Oversees the development and coordination of conferences and workshops.
• Directs the revision of regulations and standards for licensure of institutions and review of all academic programs.
• Supervises staff responsibilities with the Attorney General's Office with respect to litigation regarding licensure; including preparation of appropriate analyses; testifies in court, as required.
• Supervises staff efforts in the preparation of background studies on areas of high technology and establishment of external liaison with industry and government.
• Oversees staff activities in the coordination of master planning for academic libraries for the entire State system of higher education.
• Supervises staff work on various councils and task forces related to military education, Academic Libraries, library education, also in regard to computers, and engineering/technology as germane to independent institutions.
• Serves as principle liaison between New Jersey Department of Higher Education and other departments of higher education in other states relative to independent institutions.
• Directs the analysis of data to be used to assess the institutional health of New Jersey independent institutions; makes recommendations to the Chancellor resulting from an evaluation of the data regarding action to be taken to assure the fiscal and educational health of the institutions; responsible for alerting the Chancellor and for recommending action to be taken when the fiscal and educational viability of the institution is threatened.
• Monitors programs of self-review and self-assessment at independent institutions.
• Serves on the Department's Academic Council, which reviews all new degree programs regardless of sector; assumes Chair when Chair cannot be present.

Education

An earned Doctorate degree preferred or equivalent experience.

Experience

Seven years of administrative experience in an academic area, including three years' experience as supervisor or manager.

License

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary' to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of the New Jersey independent sector of higher education.
• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of and ability to administer, the Independent College and University Assistance Act.
• Ability to supervise professional and clerical staff.
• Ability to deal with quantitative concepts and statistical data.
• A high level of competence in analysis and summary of voluminous information.
• Superior writing ability.
• Facility in communication with others at the highest levels of university and college administration.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of academic and financial planning, government and university administration, public finance, personnel administration, and State budget procedures.
• Ability to make effective recommendations relative to licensure of institutions.
• Ability to participate in accreditation visits and make effective evaluations of programs.
• Knowledge of Federal law as it relates to veterans training in higher education, i.e. Title 38, U.S. Code, P.L. , P.L. 96-466, V.A. Regulation series, Title 10, U.S. Code.
• Knowledge of computer field as it relates to libraries and education.
• Ability to acquire knowledge on continuing education in high technology areas.
• Ability to direct activities related to conferences and workshops.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate staff activities on task forces and councils.
• Ability to coordinate activities with the Attorney General's office and to testify in court regarding litigation matters.
• Ability to acquire thorough knowledge of N.J.S.A. 18A and the Regulations and standards for Program Approval and Licensing of Institutions of Higher Education in the State of New Jersey. Ability to substantively revise said Regulations and Standards.
• Ability to make formal oral and written presentations regarding New Jersey statutes and regulations to the Board of Higher Education and other agencies and groups.
• Ability to acquire extensive knowledge of statutes and regulations in other states regarding the licensure and approval of independent institutions and their statutes and regulations regarding out- of-state institutions. Ability to act as Department's liaison with other states.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.