Senior Systems Specialist

University of La Verne

Senior Systems Specialist

Job Description Summary:
Under general direction from the Associate Director of Systems, utilize Banner Financial Aid, Cognos reporting tools, MS Office, and other software programs including but not limited to US Department of Education's Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), Central Processing System (CPS), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), EDConnect and TDClient systems, to manage the student loan and aid programs administered by the University of La Verne.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The University of La Verne is a private not-for-profit university founded in 1891 located in La Verne, California. The core values that we live by are Ethical Reasoning, Diversity and Inclusivity, Lifelong Learning and Community and Civic Engagement. If you're passionate about these values, join us at the University of La Verne!

Specific Duties:

• At the direction of the Associate Director of Systems, develop and execute user acceptance testing plans for system upgrades, new year configurations, and process planning. Maintain documentation of new requirements, process flows, and institutional decisions concerning such upgrades.
• Supports financial aid related compliance activities including the development, documentation, systems development of financial aid policies and procedures for the disbursement and reconciliation of financial aid funds.
• Collaborate with the university constituents to troubleshoot system issues and identify causes and solutions; make recommendations to the Associate Director of Systems for next steps.
• Utilizing the Banner ERP and Cognos reporting tools, develop and review quality assurance reports to monitor for discrepancies, over-awards, enrollment changes, loan limits, etc. to ensure adherence to Title IV regulations for Direct Loan borrowing. Balance multiple requests for service which may be subject to conflicting and pressing deadlines. Supports Associate Director in collecting data for consumer information in accordance with federal guidelines
• Provide subject matter expertise for the development of the Banner ERP for all OFA student loan and disbursement activities including reporting, analysis, automation, and processes including federal data importing and exporting, disbursement, funds management, and Return of Title IV funds.
• Liaises between functional organizations on campus in a way that fosters communication and project success, including Student Accounts and the Registrar’s Office. Serves as departmental liaison with third party servicers, student loan servicers, and private student loan lenders. Makes partner recommendations to the Associate Director.
• Support the Direct Loan origination, disbursement, and reconciliation processes, utilizing system processes and both routine and ad hoc reports. Coordinate with the Office of Student Accounts and Financial Services to resolve discrepancies in reporting and reconciliation of Direct Loan funds.
• Applies federal, state and institutional policy and reviews practices in the delivery of the OFA’s student loan program and disbursement efforts. Makes recommendations to the Associate Director for changes in systems practices to ensure compliant and consistent application, efficiency and effectiveness in business process design, high-quality service delivery to students, and alignment with the University mission and resources.
• Coordinate the import, certification, and disbursement of private educational loans; engage with private lenders to provide optimal service and support to student borrowers.
• Create Grant and Direct Loan origination records for transmission to Common Origination and Disbursement (COD). Resolve any errors in record creation.
• Provides oversight of fund draw-downs with Financial Services, completes reconciliation of all loan programs on a monthly, semester and annual basis. Completes Federal Direct Loan annual close out requirements in a timely manner, and reopens prior year Direct Loan accounts as needed.
• Generate student loan communications, including loan disbursement notifications, exit counseling notifications, master promissory note updates, etc.
• Be a culturally competent employee who attends/completes mandatory diversity and inclusivity trainings as provided by the university.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 3 years’ prior experience in higher education, preferably within financial aid, accounting, or student loan management.
• 2 years’ prior use of end-user reporting tools such as Cognos.
• Interpersonal and communication skills to collaborate effectively with supervisor, colleagues, vendors, and external parties.
• Analytical skills to develop and modify business processes in order to maximize capabilities of technology in support of the university mission.
• Adherence to strict ethical codes required of all financial aid administrators.
• Self-motivated, quick learner, able to take direction and meet deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of Banner ERP, table structures, and SQL query writing.
• Knowledge of Federal Direct Loan processing and funds management.
• Experience in reconciliation of funds.

Location: La Verne Central Campus

Special Instructions:
To be considered for this position please visit our web site and apply on line at the following link: http://laverne.edu

Institutional Profile
Located in Southern California, the University of La Verne offers a distinctive and relevant educational experience to a diverse population of students, preparing them for successful careers and a commitment to lifelong learning across the liberal arts and professional programs. The academic units of the not-for-profit university include the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Public Management, the LaFetra College of Education, and the College of Law. The university offers both undergraduate and graduate programs, including degree programs tailored for working adults. The university's central campus is located 30 miles east of Los Angeles in the historic Old Town section of La Verne, a city with a population of approximately 35,000 at the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. The university also has eight regional campuses throughout California and the College of Law campus in Ontario, California. The university is classified as a Carnegie Doctoral Institution with moderate research activity. Core values are reflected throughout all curricular and co-curricular programs, its emphasis on close professor-student interaction, personal support of its students, and its diversity.

The University of La Verne prides itself in being reflective of the diversity of Southern California. Approximately 80 percent of its nearly 8,500 students come from diverse backgrounds and the U.S. Department of Education has designated the university as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). With 80,000 alumni, the university fulfills a critical community function in educating students from underserved populations, many of whom are the first generation in their family to attend college.

The University of La Verne is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against employment or employees on any basis prohibited by state and federal law. University of La Verne hires and promotes individuals based on their qualifications and is consistent with applicable state and federal laws, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, disability, medical condition a or sexual orientation


jeid-473f693fd7cbe440b918c34d5c42d657