FERPA
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects student education records privacy. It's similar to HIPAA in healthcare, but for education. When you see FERPA mentioned in a resume, it usually means the person has experience handling sensitive student information and understands privacy regulations in educational settings. This is especially important for roles in schools, universities, educational technology companies, or government agencies that deal with student data. Think of it as the "privacy rulebook" that everyone working with student records must follow.
Examples in Resumes
Ensured all student data handling procedures complied with FERPA regulations
Trained staff of 20+ on FERPA compliance and best practices
Developed FERPA-compliant data management systems for student records
Typical job title: "FERPA Compliance Officers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find FERPA Compliance Officers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a complex FERPA violation in an institution?
Expected Answer: Should discuss investigation process, documentation, corrective actions, staff training, and preventive measures. Should mention reporting requirements and communication with stakeholders.
Q: What experience do you have in developing FERPA-compliant policies?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience creating comprehensive privacy policies, training programs, and implementation strategies across departments or institutions.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What are the main requirements for FERPA compliance?
Expected Answer: Should explain student/parent rights to access records, consent requirements for sharing information, and what constitutes directory vs. protected information.
Q: How do you ensure FERPA compliance when sharing student data with third parties?
Expected Answer: Should discuss written agreements, necessary permissions, data security measures, and proper documentation procedures.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What is FERPA and why is it important?
Expected Answer: Should explain basic concept of student privacy protection and why it matters in educational settings.
Q: What types of information are protected under FERPA?
Expected Answer: Should list basic examples of protected information like grades, transcripts, class schedules, and financial records.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of FERPA regulations
- Record keeping and documentation
- Student data confidentiality practices
- Basic privacy protection procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- FERPA compliance monitoring
- Staff training and education
- Policy implementation
- Incident response handling
Senior (5+ years)
- Policy development and oversight
- Compliance program management
- Risk assessment and mitigation
- Departmental training program development
Red Flags to Watch For
- No knowledge of basic privacy protection principles
- Unfamiliarity with educational records management
- Lack of experience with compliance documentation
- Poor understanding of consent requirements
- No experience with data security measures
Need more hiring wisdom? Check these out...
Salary Transparency Laws: What HR Leaders Need to Know
Navigating Compliance: Structuring On-the-Job Training in Regulated Industries
Building an Unshakable ATS Data Governance Framework: A Guide to Protecting Your Recruitment Goldmine
