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Director of Financial Aid (REVISED/EXTENDED)

Employer
Northern Illinois University
Location
Illinois, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
May 25, 2021

Primary Function

The Director of Student Financial Aid reports directly to the VP of Enrollment Management, Marketing & Communications ( EMMC ) and serves as the chief administrator of student financial aid consisting of federal, state and local funds exceeding $200 million annually to more than 13,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students. The Director supervises the receipt, evaluation and approval of requests for all aid programs, establishes procedures for and keeps records on transactions with students, ensures effective and efficient use of automated financial aid management systems, prepares or supervises the preparation of all audit requests, and ensures that the University’s use of funds is in compliance with applicable state and federal regulations

Duties and Responsibilities (generally)

-To provide administrative leadership and oversight of the Financial Aid Office and all its functions.
-To serve the needs of the Financial Aid Office by:
-working with the Vice President of Enrollment Management, Marketing and Communications ( EMMC ) in creating and implementing a strategic financial aid leveraging plan to achieve enrollment goals, in accordance with the University’s mission, vision and values and as outlined in the Strategic Enrollment Management ( SEM ) Plan.
-providing direction and oversight of financial aid administration best practices; office/process efficiencies; interpretation and administration of all aid policies; and innovative, data-driven strategies to leverage financial aid funding.
-developing a cohesive and collaborative team environment.
-working in conjunction with staff from other NIU academic/student services units to meet the mission and strategic goals of the Division of EMMC and NIU .

Minimum Required Qualifications for this position

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :
• Bachelor’s degree in any field
• At least five (5) years (60 months) of experience in all aspects of college student financial aid administration, with significant progressive position responsibilities.
• Three (3) years (36 months) of supervisory experience of a diverse staff, including hiring, evaluation, supervision, motivation, and training of professional staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
• Demonstrated experience with a highly automated financial aid management system. Experience using complex databases and ability to oversee and define specifications for financial aid systems programming.

Note: Master’s degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1 year) of work experience.

Specialty Factors (Additional Required Qualifications)

Education and Experience Preferred

• Master’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Business or Public Administration, Accounting, Counseling, or closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience working with PeopleSoft.
• Demonstrated experience working with financial aid leveraging models and their impact on recruitment, retention and student completion.
• Demonstrated experience working with the Illinois Student Assistance Commission ( ISAC ) and the Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid.
• Demonstrated understanding of innovative uses of technology in administering student financial aid.

List the knowledge, skills, and abilities critical to the performance of this position.

Demonstrated commitment to diversity; excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• A thorough knowledge of policies, regulations and practices for awarding financial aid, including needs analysis and packaging. Knowledge of extensive procedures and eligibility requirements for federal, state and university programs. This includes a considerable body of authorizing legislation and regulations, which direct the awarding of funds to students based on need. Knowledge of fiscal management policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the annual processing cycle, including specialty programs, planning and preparation processes necessary for effective operation and delivery of student aid, including integrated components with other campus units.
• Knowledge and understanding of, or the ability to learn, applicable state regulations and regulations regarding administering financial aid for a NCAA Division I athletic program.
• Superior communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively both in writing and verbally, with students, parents, auditors, high school and community college counselors, employees, college administrators and other constituents of the Financial Aid Office.
• Ability to establish collegial relationships with diverse students, staff, faculty, administrators, and the community.
• Demonstrated experience in facilitating organizational development and change.
• Competency for analyzing related data and assessing policies and practices as part of strategic enrollment planning.
• Possess the following skills and attributes: proven leadership skills; ability to handle multiple projects and processes simultaneously; strong attention to detail; student-oriented attitude; advanced customer service orientation; professionalism; strong work ethic; ability to work at a fast pace; adaptability; strong problem solving skills; and willingness to continually learn and improve.
• Experience with budget development and management.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends during peak periods; some regional/national travel may be expected.
• Successful criminal history background check.

Working Hours
8:00 am - 4:30 pm additional hours as required
Minimum Pay Rate (Hourly or Monthly)
$8,333.34 monthly
Hiring Rate Information

Actual hiring rate is commensurate with experience, education, and internal equity; position includes a robust benefits package to eligible applicants.

Posting Date
05/25/2021
Closing Date
06/16/2021
Priority Review Date

Special Instructions to Applicants
  • Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position, however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience.
  • If you have education and/or training in excess of what is required, we encourage you to upload your unofficial transcripts.
  • After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this particular position.
  • Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
  • We STRONGLY recommend that contact information used in your online profile be personal use, not professional/work information: personal email address, home address, and phone numbers. The information you provide is used to make contact on search updates, department referrals and interviews, etc. We must be able to relay sensitive and important information in a way that protects your privacy concerning job search activity, now and in the future.
  • The Civil Service examination for this classification is a Credentials Assessment, and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register. After the application deadline, the names within the top three scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
  • Once this position has been filled, all names will be removed from the employment register in accordance with State Universities Civil Service System rule 250.60(h)(10) .
  • If eligible for Veteran’s Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application in order to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.
  • Click on Program Director for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
  • Please click Human Resource Services – Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University’s benefits package.
  • Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Link to Department Homepage
Financial Aid & Scholarship
Physical Demands

EEO Statement

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

Is Background Check Required
Yes
Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person’s disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Education ( AAEOE ) at ada@niu.edu .

Clery Act Information

NIU provides information regarding campus security, personal and fire safety, including topics such as: crime prevention, emergency response procedures and crime reporting policies, in addition to crime and fire statistics for the most recent three calendar years. The Annual Security Report containing security and safety information is available at www.safety.niu.edu/clery or by contacting the University Police Department and Public Safety Department at 815-753-9628 to receive a hard copy. The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.niu.edu/clery/fire_report.pdf or by contacting the Environmental Health and Safety Department at 815-753-0404 to receive a hard copy.

Quick Link
https://employment.niu.edu/postings/56684
Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.
    • Yes
    • No
    • Not Applicable
  2. * How many years of professional work experience do you possess in any and/or all aspects of college student financial aid administration, with progressively more responsibilities?
    • 1-3 years of professional work experience.
    • 3-5 years of professional work experience.
    • 5 or more years of professional work experience.
  3. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.

    (Open Ended Question)

  4. * How many years of professional work experience do you possess in supervising a diverse staff, including hiring, evaluation, supervision, motivation, and training or professional staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students?
    • 1-3 years of professional work experience.
    • 3-5 years of professional work experience.
    • 5 or more years of professional work experience.
  5. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.

    (Open Ended Question)

  6. * Please rate your level of professional work experience with highly automated financial aid management systems, experience using complex databases and ability to oversee and define specifications for financial aid systems programming.
    • Work experience not directly related to the job function described
    • Work experience at a minimum level of competency relevant to the job function described, requiring some assistance and guidance.
    • Work experience at a high level of competency relevant to the job function described, performed independently.
  7. * Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or resume.

    (Open Ended Question)

Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  2. Cover Letter
  3. List of at least 3 References
Optional Documents
  1. Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
  2. Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
  3. Transcripts #2 (unofficial with official required at hire)
  4. Transcripts #3 (unofficial with official required at hire)


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