Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate or Senior - Communications

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate or Senior - Communications

Location: Financial Aid
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Job ID: 606419
Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Workplace Culture

NAU is a community devoted to student success and sustained by an unshakable commitment to our shared mission, vision, and values. We—faculty, staff, and administrators—thrive by combining our efforts and working side by side to further NAU's culture of excellence.



Special Information

This position is located on the Flagstaff Mountain campus.

Job Description

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is seeking one (1) skilled and experienced Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate or Financial Aid Advisor, Senior to join our team. This position will manage the Financial Aid Communications program and serve as a financial aid advisor. Frequently reviews, edits, and prepares communication material as needed for the department. Designates responsibilities to subject matter experts to create and deliver communications in a timely manner. Maintains the department's social media platforms and updates website. Assists the Manager, Client Services in the front counter operations as needed. This position reports directly to the Manager of Client Services.

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

Program Management - 40%

• Manages the Financial Aid Communications program.
• Position may supervise student or temporary employees.
• Responsible for reviewing, editing, delivering, and monitoring all financial aid communications between the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and all prospective and current students and their families.
• Manages multiple communication request simultaneously with a high level of quality and timeliness; may be able to apply variations of existing techniques and concepts.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Client Services and Operations & Processing teams to ensure all communications are delivered in a clear and timely manner.
• Works with all appropriate campus-wide departments, including but not limited to Service Center, Solution Center, Office of the Registrar, and Student Accounts Department.
• Decision making skills that may have significant impact within the immediate programs responsible for but may impact the larger department or minimally impact another department or program and influence both short-term and long-term goals.
• Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of concepts and practices related to the programs managed and is seen as the primary contact or specialist for all questions related to those programs.
• Initiates communications related to the managed programs and coordinates activities for the programs for internal and external partners.
• Ability to be flexible in performing varying assignments simultaneously with a high level of quality and timeliness. This position can apply varying techniques and concepts to the programs managed.
• Applies broad knowledge of concepts and procedures to perform moderately complex tasks.
• Identifies problems and proposes potential solutions, identifies and resolves missing information and improves upon existing processes.
• Responsible for awarding and monitoring financial aid.
• Responsible for all documentation to support all programs.
• Ensure programs are following federal, state, and institutional regulations while providing and communicating timely resolutions as needed.

Customer Service - 25%

• Provides excellent customer service to students and their families through a variety of avenues including walk-in appointments, phone appointments, virtual meetings, emails, and Salesforce cases.
• Serves as the primary contact for students and parents, providing in-depth interpretation of, counseling on, and resolution of problems with financial aid packages.
• Counsels and guides students and parents about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, debt management, repayment options, as well as terms and conditions for private, state, and federal financial aid programs. Assists with the completion and submission of financial aid documents, as needed.
• Analyzes a variety of factors (financial data, family circumstances, social background, academic status, educational goals) and applies knowledge of federal/state, donor and/or institutional guidelines to determine students' eligibility for various types of financial aid.
• Awards financial aid to students within federal/state, donor and/or institutional guidelines. Ensures the completion of applicable required documentation.
• Ensures program are following federal, state, and institutional regulations and provide and communicate timely resolutions as needed.
• Consult with students and families on financial aid topics and provide excellent customer service.
• Investigate student accounts as needed to resolve all problems.
• Utilize several internal and external databases, including PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, COD, NSLDS, etc.
• Assist in testing updates and fixes, system upgrades, and other data processing as needed.

Appeals Process - 20%

• Process financial aid professional judgement appeals related to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP, Contribution Appeals, and Budget Appeals).
• Reviews submitted appeals and determines status of appeal using Personal Judgement as authorized by the Department of Education.
• Communicates appeal decisions to student.
• Educates students on appeal processes.

Support Department & Division Priorities - 10%

• Cross-train with-in department as needed
• Identify potential issues and trends that impact efficient and accurate processing of aid and notify assistant manager so that procedures can be corrected in a timely manner.
• Participates in special projects that are self-defined and assigned by other departmental needs.
• Interact and maintain excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and outside/community agencies in facilitating Student Financial Aid program objectives.
• Assist with Orientation, Discover NAU, and other recruitment activities.
• Develop and foster a collaborative work environment.

Other - 5%

• Serve on university committees as assigned.
• May require working and traveling nights and weekends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior

Program Management - 40%

• Manages the Financial Aid Communications Program.
• Ability to work independently as this position has latitude with decision making within the program(s) they manage.
• Position may supervise student or temporary employees.
• Responsible for reviewing, editing, delivering, and monitoring all financial aid communications between the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid and all prospective and current students and their families.
• Manages multiple communication request simultaneously with a high level of quality and timeliness; may be able to apply variations of existing techniques and concepts.
• Work collaboratively with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Client Services and Operations & Processing teams to ensure all communications are delivered in a clear and timely manner.
• Works with any and all appropriate campus-wide departments, including but not limited to Service Center, Solution Center, Office of the Registrar, and Student Account Department.
• Decision making skills that may have significant impact within the immediate programs responsible for but may impact the larger department or minimally impact another department or program and influence both short-term and long-term goals.
• Demonstrates advanced knowledge of concepts and practices related to the programs managed and is seen as the primary contact or specialist for all questions related to this program.
• Initiates communications related to the managed program and coordinates activities for the programs for internal and external partners.
• Ability to be flexible in performing varying assignments simultaneously with a high level of quality and timeliness. This position is able to apply varying techniques and concepts to the programs managed.
• Applies broad knowledge of concepts and procedures to perform complex tasks.
• Identifies problems and solutions independently, identifies and resolves missing information and improves upon existing processes.
• Ensure programs are following federal, state, and institutional regulations while providing and communicating timely resolutions as needed.

Customer Service - 35%

• Provides excellent customer service to students and their families through a variety of avenues including walk-in appointments, phone appointments, virtual meetings, emails, and Salesforce cases.
• Serves as the primary contact for students and parents, providing in-depth interpretation of, counseling on, and resolution of problems with financial aid packages.
• Counsels and guides students and parents about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, debt management, repayment options, as well as terms and conditions for private, state, and federal financial aid programs. Assists with the completion and submission of financial aid documents, as needed.
• Analyzes a variety of factors (financial data, family circumstances, social background, academic status, educational goals) and applies advanced knowledge of federal/state, donor and/or institutional guidelines to determine students' eligibility for various types of financial aid.
• Awards financial aid to students within federal/state, donor and/or institutional guidelines. Ensures the completion of applicable required documentation.
• Participates in special projects that are self-defined and assigned by other departmental needs.
• Participates in cross-training within office as needed.
• Ensures program is following federal, state, and institutional regulations and provide and communicate timely resolutions as needed.
• Participate in recruiting events as needed for the department.
• Develop and foster a collaborative work environment with students, their families, OSFA and NAU Departments.
• Consult with students and families on financial aid topics and provide excellent customer service.
• Investigate student accounts as needed to resolve any and all problems.
• Utilize several internal and external databases, including PeopleSoft, OnBase, Salesforce, COD, NSLDS, etc.
• Assist in testing updates and fixes, system upgrades, and other data processing as needed.

Appeal Process - 20%

• Process financial aid appeals related to Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP, Contribution Appeals, Budget Appeals and Petitions for Dependency Override).
• Reviews submitted appeals and determines status of appeal using Personal Judgement as authorized by the Department of Education.
• Communicates appeal decisions to student.
• Educates students on appeal processes.

Other - 5%

• May require working and/or traveling nights and weekends.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

• Associates or Bachelor's degree.
• 2-4 years of relevant experience.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 3-5 years of administrative/coordinative experience.

Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate

• Experience working in a financial aid office and administering federal, state, and institutional aid.
• Demonstrated ability to solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently efficiently and effectively.
• Demonstrated organization skills including skills in coordinating projects, evaluating data and establishing priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity and ability to work with a diverse student, staff, and faculty population.
• Demonstrated capacity to adapt to change.
• Proficient in use of PeopleSoft Student Administration software, as well as working knowledge of Salesforce case management and OnBase document imaging.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior (in addition to above preferred qualifications)

• Master's Degree.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of government rules, regulations, guidelines and procedures related to financial aid.
• Knowledge of higher education law, including FERPA, Title IX, Constant to Release, HIPAA, etc.
• Skill in prioritizing and completing multiple tasks of varying complexity and urgency in a timely and efficient manner.
• Customer service skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Works with confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively, including the ability to present to small and large groups.
• Possesses strong problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.
• Promotes a diverse, inclusive environment.

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirement

As of 12/10/21, the Safer Federal Workforce employee vaccination requirement is currently suspended pending the outcome of a federal court-issued injunction. This injunction has suspended the recent executive order issued by President Biden requiring all employees of federal contractors to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. For current status of the vaccine requirement and/or questions, please visit FAQs for Employee Vaccination Requirement.

Background Information

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements. Additionally, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States. Finally, each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Salary

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate (Salary range is $36,018 - $45,023*)

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior (Salary range is $41,421 - $51,776*)

*Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

FLSA Status

This position is exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and therefore will not earn overtime or compensatory time for additional time worked.

Benefits

This is a Classified Staff (CLS) position. NAU offers an excellent benefit package including generous health, dental and vision insurance; participation in the Arizona State Retirement System; paid vacation and 10 holidays per year; and tuition reduction for employees and qualified dependents. More information on benefits at NAU is available on the Human Resources benefits website. Classified Staff employees are in a probationary status for their first six months at NAU. NAU is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. Employees offered a position will be eligible for state health plans (including NAU's BCBS Plan). New employees are eligible for benefits on the first day of the pay period following their enrollment, after their employment date. Employees will have 31 days from their start date to enroll in benefits. Additionally, new employees will begin participating in the Arizona State Retirement System, and the long-term disability coverage that accompanies it, on the first of the pay period following 6 months after the new employee's start date.

Learning and Development

Your career at Northern Arizona University includes the opportunity for professional development. New employee on-boarding training includes courses to be completed within the first 30 days. If your position includes the supervision of a benefit-eligible employee, we offer the NAU Supervisors Academy for you to complete within your first 2 years.

Immigration Suppt/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Application Deadline

July 5, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by clicking on the "Submit" button by midnight of the application deadline. If you need assistance completing your application there are instructions available on the Human Resources website or in person in the Human Resources Department located in Building 91 on the NAU Campus - on the corner of Beaver and DuPont Streets.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process please contact the Office of Equity and Access at: 928-523-3312/TDD - 928-523-1006 or PO Box 4083, Flagstaff AZ 86011.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Northern Arizona University is a committed Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Women, minorities, veterans and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. NAU is responsive to the needs of dual career couples.

EEO is the Law Poster and Supplements

NAU is an Employer of National Service. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other National Service alumni are encouraged to apply.



To apply, visit https://hr.peoplesoft.nau.edu/psp/ph92prta/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1&JobOpeningId=606419&PostingSeq=1


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