Student Account Specialist

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Working at Lewis & Clark College

The campus is located on 137 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds in Portland’s southwest hills. Our strong commitment to sustainability is reinforced through recycling programs, energy conservation, alternative transportation options, and farm to fork initiatives. For benefit-eligible positions, we offer a competitive benefits package that includes options for health, dental, vision, tuition, life insurance, retirement and more.

Lewis & Clark College is committed to achieving a diverse workforce. Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to status as a protected veteran or a qualified individual with a disability, or other protected status, such as race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or age.

About the Position

This position provides financial services to the entire Lewis and Clark community and external establishments by assisting in financial and accounting activities for the institution, and acting as the first point of contact for inquiries regarding Federal Perkins loan accounts, student account and institutional accounts. Perform productive and efficient collection of the schools revenue while maintaining our goodwill. To support these responsibilities, the SAS must demonstrate exemplary customer service skills, have a complete understanding of the policies/ procedures in relation to student and institutional accounts, accurately process all funds received by Lewis and Clark, and maintain the highest level of data integrity in order to provide precise and accurate information to all constituents.

This position is represented by the Lewis & Clark College Support Staff Association Local 4912 of the American Federation of Teachers.

The current LCCSSA Bargaining Agreement can be found here: https://www.lclark.edu/unions/lccssa /

What You'll Do

1. Collections (40%)

Analyze account activity of students within assigned caseload to disseminate collections action, as well as potential department outreach for all current student activity, Perkins Loans and non-active students that maintain a past due balance. Generate reporting for all individuals contracted in monthly payment plan contracts with third party vendor. Evaluate what communication and outreach action to take for all currently enrolled students that maintain an unsettled balance with the college or are behind on their monthly payment plan. Prioritize communications based on each school’s fluctuating start dates, resignation dates and graduation dates. Administer and approve adjustments to monthly payment plans as needed. Administer all restriction holds managed by SDAS. Administer assessment of all late feed applied to the student account. Complete a four-step process for collections on all past due Perkins Loans and past due balances monthly in accordance to Federal procedures, bankruptcy laws and collections laws. Review all withdrawals/ leave of absences, code account appropriately and communication with students on that course of action is needed if any. Process satisfactory letters for all paid-in-full and cancelled Perkins loans. Advise students/families on determining all viable payment options for current students, as well as repayment options of Federal Perkins Loans and non-active students that maintain a past due balance. Make and monitor internal payment arrangements on accounts, as well as payment arrangements managed through our third party vendor.

2. Cash reconciliation (20%)

Reconcile and calculates the daily collections of cash, checks, credit cards and other misc. payments to verify these payments match with the daily posting of payments into the Colleague system. Of the collections is not in balance, the Specialist will research why the accounts are out of balance and then advise the Director of the error and receive direction on the appropriate adjustments to correct the error. Create and reconcile cash balancing sheets for Gift deposits weekly. Process weekly cash shipment for pickup.

3. Posting of all bank ACH payments (20%)

Review the daily bank statements for payments which are to be applied to Student accounts or Departmental accounts. The Specialist will post these payments to the appropriate account daily. If there are payments where the Specialist is not familiar, the Specialist will inquire with others around campus to locate appropriate student ID or GL for posting payment. Generate reports and receipts corresponding to transactions daily.

4. Refunds (20%)

Weekly the Specialist will initiate the processing of all credit balances on AR Type 01 using Colleague in accordance with Title IV regulations. Refunds are processed by mailing the check to the student unless otherwise noted (i.e. consortium agreement or parent loan). The Specialist will input the appropriate information into Colleague to begin the process of posting a refund to a student account. The paperwork will then be passed to the Assistant Director for review and report processing. Process monthly cash drawer audits.

5. All Other Duties as Assigned
Serve as back-up to the Cashier and the other Student Account Specialists. These duties could include reconciliation of cash balancing activity to GL report; run transmittal reports for processing financial aid funds and researching errors; check auditing procedures, back-up to caseload A-L; and service window coverage.


Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma plus 3 years of related experience.
• Understanding of Microsoft Suite
• Cash handling experience
• Knowledge of best practices within accounting
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Superior customer service skills
• Ability to collaborate effectively

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of job related experience
• Experience with: Raiser’s Edge, Adobe, Equifax and Clearinghouse collection agencies

Work Schedule

• Full-time (1.0 FTE)
• 37.5 hours per week
• Benefits Eligible: Yes

Pay Rate

• $22.02/hr (LCCSSA Grade 14)

Physical Requirements

The job works primarily at a desk or is otherwise involved in activities requiring little lifting, climbing, or working in tiring positions

Twist, Climb – Stairs, Standing, Sitting, Walking, Repetitive Hand Movements, Seeing, Talking, Listening

Directions for Cover Letter

Please upload your cover letter on the My Experience screen in the resume section.

Lewis & Clark College adheres to a nondiscriminatory policy with respect to educational programs, activities, employment, and admission. We do not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, sex, religion, age, marital status, national origin, the presence of any physical or sensory disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, and local laws. The Associate Vice President of Human Resources has been designated to handle inquiries regarding employment- and disability-related non-discrimination policies. Title IX inquiries may be directed to the Title IX coordinator or deputy Title IX coordinators

( https://www.lclark.edu/about/title_ix_compliance ).

Reasonable Accommodation

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

Background Check

Lewis & Clark College will conduct a background check on the finalist, which will include a criminal record check. If a conviction is discovered, a determination will be made whether the conviction is related to the position for which the individual is applying or would present safety or security risks before an employment decision is made. A criminal conviction does not necessarily automatically bar an applicant from employment.

Eligibility to Work

In order to comply with US Homeland Security Department regulations, all employees must complete an I-9 form in Workday prior to or no later than the first day of work and bring originals (no photocopies) of their supporting documentation to Human Resources no later than the 3rd business day of employment. Failure to have a completed I-9 form on file with the College will result in immediate termination of employment.