Program Specialist 2 (Financial Aid)

Program Specialist 2 (Financial Aid)

Walla Walla Community College


Salary: $3,401.00 - $4,425.00 Monthly

Job Type:

Job Number: 2023-107I FA2

Location: Walla Walla, WA

Department: ENROLLMENT SERVICES

Closing: Continuous

Join our team to help inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.

Description
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants for a full-time Program Specialist 2 in our Financial Aid office at the Walla Walla campus.

At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. We have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.

General Responsibilities:

The Program Specialist 2 will serve as the liaison between Student Financial and the Financial Aid office. They will maintain a thorough understanding of the complex federal and state rules and regulations governing the administration of each aid program. This position will be primarily responsible for reconciliation of state and federal funding. They will assist in awarding and thee disbursements of aid processes. They will be responsible for maintaining student communications and financial aid checklist.

Essential Functions:

Assists in the awarding process of the federal and state aid
Tasks include:

Areas of concentration may include but not limited to verification, packaging and awarding.

Reviews files for eligibility of federal and state aid.

Handle the reconciliation of calculations, while adhering to regulations and compliance as well as institutional policies and procedures.

Utilize federal and state agency online data management systems to troubleshoot student and college record management issues.

Liaison between Student Financial and the Financial Aid office
Tasks include:

Responsible for working closely with Student Financials on a monthly basis to reconcile all financial aid funding.

The Program Specialist 2 will be responsible for identifying discrepancies on student's accounts between Student Financials and Financial Aid.

Duties include: running reconciliation queries out of ctcLink and accuracy within COD/NSLDS.

Interpret, implement, and maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state guidelines governing the financial aid awarding process.

Generates and analyzes system-generated data such as grades and enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal, state and institutional guidelines, notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.

SF/FA Disbursements
Tasks include:

Minimum bi-weekly process of disbursing aid.

Responsible for managing and meeting the deadlines if the disbursement process in a timely and accurate manner.

Scheduling disbursements with Student Accounts.

Duties include: running disbursement reports and queries in order to identify errors and low enrollment levels to verify awards to student's are being disbursed accurately.

Performs other duties as required.
Tasks include:

Monitor academic progress of students receiving financial aid.

Provides specialized assistance and information to students regarding student financial programs and services.

Maintain security and confidentiality of student records and data.

Attend financial aid trainings.

Assist in the coordination of the Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Competencies

Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and the ability to support a diverse workplace and educational environment;

Ability to understand, respect and maintain confidentiality of financial aid files and information

Ability to work independently on projects related to the essential functions of this position

Ability to contribute to teambuilding in support of a positive work culture

Ability to multi-task, prioritize and follow through on multiple projects

Ability to collaborate with WWCC staff and faculty to determine appropriate student problem resolutions

Ability to exercise good judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions

Must have a high level of attention to detail

Ability to practice active listening; treat others with respect, kindness and consideration; interact with all people in a positive manner.

Ability to maintain a calm demeanor while working with stressed and anxious financial aid recipients.

Ability to demonstrate a balance between building rapport and managing tasks.

Ability to effectively communicate including verbal and written communication methods.

Ability to manage existing record systems and review schedules for compliance with legal requirements and organizational standards.

Ability to interpret and follow guidelines, rules and regulations.

Ability to effectively coordinate activities, services and schedules to ensure smooth and efficient operation of work.

Ability to use spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, to create, modify, print and format spreadsheets, find and replace data, and work with basic formulas and functions. Use templates, styles, AutoFormats, and multiple worksheets.

Ability to compose, send and respond to electronic mail and utilize email program functions such as calendars and meeting requests.

Ability and willingness to pursue and identify ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness of services and provide recommendations to leadership about those findings.

Special Requirements

Must be in good standing on all Federal Student Loans. The U.S. Dept. of Education will not grant access to student loan data for any individual who is in default status. Access to such information is a necessity for this position.

Required Qualifications:
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered at the discretion of the college.

Bachelor's degree from a nationally accredited college or university; OR

Associate degree from a nationally accredited college or university and two years of relevant work experience.

Desirable Qualifications:

Prior working knowledge of financial aid

Prior ctclink PeopleSoft experience

Three years of experience in Higher Education setting

Knowledge of the community college system and a commitment to its mission

Bilingual Spanish/English

Conditions/Terms of Employment
Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Must have the ability to sit for prolonged periods of time at a desk or work station, frequent repetitive arm, hand and finger motions, and extended use of computer and exposure to terminal screen. Work in an environment with multiple interruptions and demands on time that is often stressful and required deadlines. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in office environments. This contract position will work 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with periods of extended hours during the start of the quarter and adjusted 40-hour work weeks during the summer months. Occasional travel is required. This position has frequent interactions with students and colleagues both on and off campus.

This classified position is in a bargaining unit for which WPEA Higher Ed is the exclusive representative.

The college has an excellent benefit program including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; paid sick leave; paid vacation leave; and retirement plan. All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP) unless declined at time of hire. WWCC requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary. The college is tobacco free.

Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment, and successfully complete a probationary period. Candidates will be subject to a criminal history background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Required Application Materials
This position is posted as open until filled. For priority consideration applications should be received by 11:59 p.m. on September 18, 2023. To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet required qualifications and submit a complete application packet that includes the following:

Online NEOGOV application

Cover letter

Provide a cover letter detailing your interest in the Program Specialist 2 position. Please describe any professional experience, training, or educational background that makes you an ideal candidate.

Resume

List of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three professional references.

Answers to two (2) supplemental questions.

Unofficial transcripts for application purposes; official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.

Please ensure you have attached all required application materials as you will not be able to attach any documents after you have submitted your application. If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call NEOGOV Applicant Support at 1-855-524-5627 or email them directly at support@governmentjobs.com.

WWCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, reopen the position, or make a direct appointment. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.

Walla Walla Community College is committed to provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all educational and employment applicants as well as for its students and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Federal Rehabilitation of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. To qualify for veteran's preference, you must attach a copy of your DD214 or NGB 22. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodation in the application/ employment process, please call (509) 527-4323 - TDD (509) 527-4412.



To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/wwcc/jobs/4198146/program-specialist-2-financial-aid




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