Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services, Systems and Operations

Howard Community College (HCC) is an exciting place to work, learn, and grow! HCC has been awarded the distinction as a "Great College to Work for" since 2009 from The Chronicle of Higher Education.

Howard Community College values diversity among its faculty, staff and student population. We are an innovative institution that is committed to responding to the ever-changing needs and interests of a diverse and dynamic community. No matter where you want to go in your career, you can get there from here!

HCC is recruiting for a Assistant Director of Financial Aid Services, Systems and Operations to join the team in Columbia, MD.

This position is critical to a team that oversees all aspects of the compliant administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid and scholarships, through management of all Colleague system set up and processing. Also responsible for both routine reporting to senior management and outside agencies and adhoc reporting. Coordinates closely with the associate director to ensure that Colleague processing is compliant with federal and state laws and regulations, and institutional and office policies. Assists the director and other unit administrators in fulfilling unit responsibilities for compliance with all federal, state and institutional regulations, policies and procedures related to the administration of financial aid as well as ensuring the institution fulfills all Title IV compliance requirements. Assists the director with strategic planning; budget development; enrollment management functions, especially those related to access and affordability, emergency preparedness; and statistical data management, including outcomes assessment. Coordinates Colleague daily operations with the technical specialist who manages the daily processing with the U.S. Department of Education via the COD system which is the U.S. Department of Education's system for processing and approving all federal aid origination and disbursement records. Works closely with the director to implement and enhance all financial aid technology operations, including the federal Title IV Wide Area Network. Works closely with the other FAS leadership team members to manage the Colleague Data System as it relates to awarding and disbursing all Title IV, institutional, state, and private funding, federal, state and institutional reporting and compliance, and other critical FA Colleague or Colleague-related processes, including the FISAP and FAIS. Ensures the Colleague system is processing aid compliant with federal and state laws, and institutional policy.

WORK PERFORMED

• Responsible for the daily core operations for financial aid services and the management of the FA Colleague Data System including all aspects of importing/exporting financial aid records/data, batch award processing, disbursing, reconciliation, beginning and end of semester/year clean-up processes, and return to Title IV funds.
• Oversees the management of entrance and exit loan interviews in accordance with federal regulations and keeps abreast of the latest methods of delivery.
• Assists the director with strategic planning and budgeting processes.
• Collaborates with the director to set up and implement the Colleague System for each new academic year.
• Responsible for testing new patches and updates to Colleague software for the Financial Aid Module.
• Oversees all aspects of the unit's operations in the associate director's absence.
• Oversees all aspects of student eligibility, including evaluation, online processing, all related record keeping, and student notification.
• Collaborates as needed with the assistant director of federal programs processing and reconciliation to ensure federal programs are reconciled.
• Assists the associate director as appropriate with the ongoing in-house staff training program and new staff training and assists the director with the development of broader professional training.
• Assists the associate director with providing training and/or updates to other college units regarding changes to federal and state laws, regulations and programs as appropriate.
• Serves on various committees across campus to ensure that federal regulations and expectations are met by the college and that the needs of financial aid students and the impact of various college programs, policies and procedures for this population are considered.
• Works with other Enrollment Services units, the Finance Office and other college units, as appropriate, to resolve student issues.
• Assists the director with reviewing, interpreting, and implementing new federal and state laws and regulations.
• Assist with updating the Financial Aid Services policies and procedures manual.
• Maintains memberships and participates actively in appropriate organizations and attends conferences and regular training sessions.
• Assist the director with data requests and reporting as needed.
• Responsible for all FA system related access requests, both internally and with third party software systems.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Formal Education, Courses, Training Programs, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree in Business, IT, Education or related fields strongly preferred.
• A minimum of three years of experience in financial aid required with at least two years in systems administration and/or operations.
• Thorough understanding of federal Title IV law and regulations.
• Outstanding experience with COD related programs well as experience with the reconciliation and the COD reject resolution process.
• Expertise with Ellucian Colleague System financial aid modules or similar integrated system strongly desired.
• Superior technology knowledge and experience required; specific interest in financial aid-related technology strongly preferred.
• Other outstanding technology skills, including Microsoft Office, imaging technology, the Web, Site Executive, and content management systems.
• Proven ability to implement programs required.
• Superior critical thinking and data analysis required, including ability to collect, compile, and analyze information and data and produce related reports, understanding of financial aid calculations and ratios, as well as experience with the review and evaluation of complex federal tax returns.
• Outstanding leadership and supervisory skills required, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team in a fast-paced, deadline driven environment required.
• Experience with administration of federal aid programs required; experience with Maryland State Scholarship programs strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in strategic financial aid planning and budget management strongly preferred.
• Outstanding organizational and interpersonal skills required, including customer service, public speaking, writing and the ability to communicate complex topics to a wide range of constituencies.
• Experience working with a wide range of units and a wide variety of staff and faculty (particularly finance and enrollment services departments) required.
• Prior experience with and participation in regional and national financial aid training workshops and conferences preferred.
• Service required on various committees.

Knowledge of Operations, Systems, and Procedures

• Extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations required. Knowledge of all college policies and procedures concerning all aspects of Financial Aid Services and the college's Pay for College initiative. Knowledge of policies and procedures including relevant policies and procedures for the Enrollment Services areas (Admissions, Financial Aid, Records & Reg., Testing), other student services units and the Finance Office preferred. Knowledge of FERPA required. Extensive knowledge and experience with Ellucian Colleague and ImageNow systems preferred. Knowledge of the ability to benefit processes. Outstanding abilities with the Internet, Adobe, all forms of online financial aid processing, the college network, querying software telephone system and web applications required. Ability to learn, develop, implement, use, and train others in current and new computer applications. Knowledge of college personnel practices. Knowledge and ability to work with various community constituencies, including the public schools and others. Thorough knowledge of college and unit emergency operations.

Specialized Publications and Resource Materials

The U.S. Department of Education Financial Aid Handbook, federal regulations as published online and in Dear Colleague Letters, Common Manual for federal loans, The COD Technical Reference, The NSLDS User's Guide, SAIG Host Communication Guide, state laws and MHEC policies and procedures; college publications; policy and procedure manuals; numerous guides, manuals, and directories (such as directory of Higher Education and US DOE Student Guide to Financial Aid) related to financial resources and regulations; online resources, such as the NASFAA and SFA websites; journals and other publications such as the Chronicle of Higher Education; academic records of all kinds.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality required.
• Regular attendance is a requirement of this job.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Performs all duties while considering the impact of any actions on the college's sustainability initiatives in the areas of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.

SUPERVISION

• Responsible for the direct supervision of the financial aid specialist; supervises functions related to technology.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Financial Aid Services is a fast-paced, busy, deadline-driven, and high stress environment, which requires concurrent management of numerous complex tasks with frequent interruptions. Evening hours required; occasional weekend hours required. This position requires periodic local and occasional distant travel. Additional hours and flexibility is an absolute necessity, particularly in peak periods.

Additional Information:

Hours Per Week: 37.5
Work Schedule: 8:30 am - 5 pm
Compensation: $65,173 plus excellent medical & dental insurance, tuition reimbursement and paid leave
FLSA Status: Exempt
Grade: 16
Open Until Filled
Best Consideration: September 10, 2021

*Pre-employment criminal background investigation is a condition of employment.

As a participating member of the Maryland Retirement and Pension System, HCC offers two retirement options: The Pension, which requires a 7% employee contribution and The ORP, a 403(b) with a 7.25% employer contribution only. Employees in positions that do not require a bachelor's degree must participate in The Pension. Employees that possess a bachelor's degree and hold professional positions that require a bachelor's degree may choose to participate in either The Pension or The ORP.

Howard Community College (HCC) is an Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action employer & values diversity within its faculty, staff & student population. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.

HCC understands that persons with specific disabilities may need assistance with the job application process and/or with the interview process. For confidential assistance with the job application process, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 443-518-1100.

HCC is interested in all qualified applicants who are eligible to work in the United States. However, HCC will generally not sponsor applicants for work visas. Due to our telework policy, only employees living in states contiguous to Maryland are eligible for telework and include Virginia, West Virginia, Washington DC, Pennsylvania. Candidates must live in the commutable area or willing to relocate at their own expense if offered the position because HCC does not offer relocation benefits.

The following are required documents:

1. Completed Application
2. Resume/CV
3. Cover Letter

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