Academic Advisor and SCO, Veteran Affairs

Position Classification
Regular, full-time, hourly, non-exempt and benefit-eligible staff position. For more benefit information visit Why Work at UCO?

General Schedule
40 hours a week, Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Position Overview

Provides comprehensive support and guidance to students, with a dual focus on academic advising and managing veterans' education-related benefits. This role combines advising students on academic goals, curriculum choices, and course scheduling with processing and managing GI Bill payments and supporting military-connected students as the School Certifying Official (SCO). The advisor will ensure students receive effective assistance, maintain accurate records, and facilitate communication between students, academic departments, and veterans' affairs agencies and services.

Job Duties

• Processes payment of the various forms of the GI Bill as the SCO for more than 700 military-connected students each semester, working closely with the State and Federal Veterans Affairs and Vocational Rehab Counselors for student veterans using Chapter 31.
• Review and maintain student records and generate reports for the area. Coordinate the development and/or preparation of informational materials relevant to institutional research, students, or alumni.
• Reconcile and troubleshoot actual VA Post 9/11 tuition and fee payments and financial records of students' accounts. Verifies annual VA reporting fee for accuracy.
• Keeps abreast of federal rules and regulations pertaining to VA Education Benefits and ensures compliance. Maintains records of IAW Federal and State VA guidelines and prepares for annual audits by both. Ensures work performed is within guidelines of Federal Rules and Regulations.
• Monitors changes in student enrollment schedule and notifies university Financial Aid and the VA accordingly. Certifies and processes all the government documents regarding the VA Educational Benefits programs. Establishes and maintains accurate and up-to-date information in VA student files.
• Assists students with inquiries and problems concerning their VA educational benefits. Assists and advocates for veteran and military-dependent students regarding inquiries and challenges at the University.
• Informs students on appropriate academic schedules, choice of major, number of hours available, probation, and suspension; suggests remedial or corrective actions.
• Acts as a resource for academic information and decision-making strategies. Acts as a liaison between the University academic departments, UCO students, and prospective students.
• Completes degree audits and articulates coursework as needed.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications/Experience Required
Bachelor’s degree in job related field or 4+ years of work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Qualifications/Experience Preferred
Prior academic advising/counseling experience. Proficient in basic mathematics. Familiarity with admission and enrollment process at the University of Central Oklahoma or in an institution of higher education setting and its undergraduate degree programs.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Technical proficiency; trust and credibility; dedication; self-awareness; Accepting ambiguity; team player; time management skills; independent; results oriented. Knowledgeable in the higher education attainment process, particularly the requirements and general value of education. Demonstration of a warm and caring professional attitude and creative counseling techniques. Ability to communicate effectively with department chairpersons and/or deans regarding degree program requirements. Ability to work well under pressure.

Physical Demands
Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.