Job Description
The Legal and Regulatory Compliance Research Specialist will serve as a member of the regulatory team at Penn Foster and will be responsible for ensuring compliance with applicable laws at federal, state, local, and institutional levels for all programs. The Legal and Regulatory Compliance Research Specialist consults and collaborates with the regulatory leadership team to ensure preparedness and responsiveness to audit requests and meeting reporting deadlines to all external and internal stakeholders. The position serves as a resource on regulatory issues and monitors, interprets and analyzes statutes and regulatory requirements; provides direction and develops implementation plans; maintains documentation of proof of compliance regarding executive orders, laws and regulations applicable to online secondary and postsecondary education institutions. The position will also generate legal communications, maintain reference materials, prepare forms and file reports, organize and assist with litigation, manage records retention for the legal and regulatory departments, file, schedule, and perform other administrative duties. The position will be based in Scranton, PA
Essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:
1. Federal, State, Local, and Institutional Regulatory Compliance
Researches regulation definitions on applicable laws, executive orders, policies and procedures related to approval or licensure requirements in distance education. Benchmarks best practices in order to develop comprehensive documentation to manage compliance activities. Ensure program delivery activities for all programs offered follow all applicable laws and regulations, including professional licensure requirements in all states
2. Reporting and Record Management
Maintains the repository of all documentation associated with each applicable policy or regulation process and correspondence. Develops, initiates, and maintains state authorization applications, reporting and continued compliance. Creates and maintains tools for tracking and reporting on regulatory changes, and keeps database accurately updated to reflect changes in executive orders and state authorization status.
3. Administrative Strategic Planning
Provides consultative guidance pertaining to risk assessment, regulatory requirements affecting academic and business operations, and implementation of such requirements. Develops, coordinates and participates in educational and training programs that seek to ensure all Penn Foster staff and campus partners are knowledgeable of the elements of the compliance activities. Provides data and writes reports as generated by internal requirements, or other external agencies
4. Paralegal Duties
Assists in gathering and preparing documents for discovery and preparing witnesses for testimony Tracks document and evidence discovery to outside counsel to ensure complete disclosure Prepares and tracks litigation holds Works with IT to manage email retention for litigation or investigations Performs record and document research, including Secretary of State filings, corporate history and governance documents, deeds, leases, easements, settlement agreements, other agreements and documents Performs legal research, including case law, legal treatises, statutes, and regulations relating to a variety of topics including education, student concerns and business issues Creates and maintains legal files Reviews pleadings, discovery, contracts, and letters for accuracy and content Prepares reports and summaries Drafts and revises correspondence Meets with business unit and other personnel as requested and summarizes high points and action items for supervisor Works with Penn Foster personnel, outside attorneys and other personnel as requested on various legal matters with supervisor’s guidance Tracks legal costs and prepares reports and graphs of trends Acts as initial point of contact for certain inquiries made by internal personnel and outside parties Performs certain executive assistant functions, including scheduling meetings, taking phone calls and messages, ensuring deadlines are understood and planned for, scanning documents, making copies and mailing letters Codes, processes and tracks legal invoices.
Required experience:
Paralegal Certification or at least 3 years of related experience in a Paralegal or legal assistant type position A Bachelor’s degree Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint Proficient with legal research tools, including Westlaw or Lexis Deadline driven and detail oriented Discretion and the ability to maintain strict confidentiality Excellent written and oral communication skills Ability to manage projects, following through on assignments and manage deadlines High degree of initiative, attention to detail and accuracy, timeliness and ability to work independently and as part of a team Excellent interpersonal skills with ability to establish positive relationships at all levels, including senior executives Ability to juggle multiple priorities and deal with time sensitive issues in an effective manner
