Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Bremerton, WA

FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

(Full-Time Classified)

Open Date: 11 April 2024

Close Date: 24 April 2024

Anticipated Start Date: 16 May 2024

Our collaboratively developed shared definition of equity is that as a College “we aspire to ensure that all students, faculty, and staff have access to resources and support in proportion to their needs and that they feel respected, connected, and can thrive in their goals.” Peninsula College’s equity efforts are led by an Equity Standing Committee with cross-campus representation. The committee appoints equity work groups and develops, assesses, and updates an annual equity plan. That committee’s collective work has identified the need for a position that can lead the College’s work in equitable hiring practices and equity training for all employees and that can act as resource for the College’s equity partners by sharing expertise and leadership.

THE COLLEGE

Located in the northwest corner of the United States, Peninsula College is nestled in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains. The main campus in Port Angeles, Washington, overlooks the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the nearby city of Victoria, British Columbia, and has easy access to the Pacific Ocean, Olympic National Park, and Seattle. Port Angeles is two hours from Seattle and a one-hour ferry ride to Victoria, Canada. The College is honored to serve six sovereign American Indian nations in the region: Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Quileute, Makah, Hoh, and Port Gamble S’Klallam.

The College is honored to have strong relationships with these six federally recognized Tribes in the College’s service district. The College is home to Longhouse of Learning. It is the first Longhouse in the nation to be built on a community College campus. The College offers transferable Indigenous language courses in Klallam/S’Klallam, Makah and Quileute and Hoh languages. Instructional programs include a Tribal Homeland Security & Emergency Management certificate and an Integrated Indigenous Studies transfer pathway. The College is committed to doing more and taking future direction from the Tribes.

As a public comprehensive community college with baccalaureate-granting authority, Peninsula College is highly regarded by businesses, schools, and community partners for its culture of inclusiveness, innovation, high academic standards, and community engagement. The College is part of the 34-college Washington State Community and Technical College System and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.

The College serves more than 2,500 students through its main campus and Port Townsend and Forks campuses, its correctional facilities, community education, and its online course offerings. The College community is vibrant, engaged, and known for its commitment to serving the diverse needs of the local communities across its 3,600 square mile service district.

The College culture is defined by its Guiding Principles and its shared governance model, which values respect, open and honest communication, integrity and collaboration. The College is a leader in the Guided Pathways work in Washington State and sees developing an equitable and socially just institution as a central part of that work. The College is highly regarded as a warm and welcoming place. Click here for a video about Peninsula College.

THE POSITION

Under general supervision this position performs a wide variety of tasks in support of the Financial Aid Office; administers one or more financial aid and/or scholarship programs, financial aid advising, works with students and parents, communicates program information, conducts public presentations, provides ctcLink Financial Aid training, updates and testing, reviews applications and awards financial aid.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Perform full-service functions related to all aspects of the financial aid programs including, but not limited to, counseling students, determining file completion, verifying applicant data, determining eligibility for student financial aid programs, packaging Financial Aid awards and reconciling accounts.

• Download financial aid applications and corrections via EDConnect software and the Washington Student Achievement Council Portal, and upload into ctcLink; review suspended applications and contact applicants as needed to resolve discrepancies/issues

• Serve as lead on at least one financial aid program, with oversight from Director of Financial Aid

• Provide information regarding financial aid to students, parents, and others at Pirate Central, workshops, appointments, over the telephone and on a drop-in basis to students, staff, and external agencies.

• Communicate and interpret financial aid policies to students; respond to financial aid related inquiries

• Assist Financial Aid Director in ctcLink new aid year implantation process

• Implement and document testing of new year updates and miscellaneous changes in ctcLink Financial Aid software, under the direction of the Financial Aid Director

• Troubleshoot and support student communication, set up and refund processing issues in BankMobile Management System.

• Back up for Financial Aid Disbursement and fund review/management.

• Ability to think critically and to troubleshoot through situations.

• Read, understand, interpret, and apply financial aid and scholarship policies and regulations.

• Review financial aid applications, ensure accuracy and financial need, award aid in compliance with regulations.

• Knowledge and experience using ctcLink Financial Aid Software, document imaging and Microsoft Office, or relevant computer software systems.

• Review data and produce department activity reports; analyze data accuracy, reconcile and research/correct problems.

• Ability to provide clear explanations of complex and technical information both verbally and in writing, listen attentively to questions and concerns, respond professionally to hostility, and communicate clearly with native and non-native English speakers.

• Interact/counsel current and prospective students, and their families about applicable financial aid policies and procedures.

• Maintain professional relationships with students, staff, and external agency personnel.

• Maintain a high level of accuracy, adjust to changing priorities, handle frequent interruptions, organize, and maintain progress on multiple tasks.

• Attend State, Regional and Federal training opportunities.

General Qualifications:

The level of skill required for the Financial Aid Program Specialist 2 would typically be acquired in two years of financial aid office experience and a minimum of an associate degree.

Required physical abilities:

Work is performed in an office environment and requires standing and/or sitting and using computers for extended periods of time; respond to frequent interactions with students.

Required work schedule and work environment:

Schedule: Normal Work Schedule: 40 hours per week Monday through Friday; 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, with occasional evening and weekend hours.

Required education or certificates:

An associate degree, 2 years of financial aid office experience, or equivalent experience.

Required background clearance:

Yes

EMPLOYMENT PAY AND BENEFITS INFORMATION

· Full-Time Classified position.

· Anticipated monthly salary: $3,537.00 - $3,796.00 (DOE)

Full Time Employee Benefits:

· Excellent benefits: including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; Peninsula College contributes $1,145 per month to the cost of the Washington State employee insurance programs.

· Retirement plan options with employer contributions; optional credit union and tax-deferred annuity programs.

· Peninsula College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.

· Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Peninsula College Employee Tuition Program.

· The college also supports professional development.

· Sick leave accrual is 8 hours per month.

· Vacation Leave accrual is 11.33 hours per month and will increase with years of experience.

Application Submission Procedure:

A complete application file will include:

• a current resume
• college employment application
• cover letter addressing specific qualifications of this position, and provide a one to two sentence statement on how you may be able to contribute to a culture of equity at Peninsula College
• three current professional references qualified to assess your experience and ability to perform the duties specified. Please include references’ email addresses and telephone numbers

* In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

* Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Application materials may be uploaded electronically, by mail, or email to:

Human Resources

Peninsula College

1502 E. Lauridsen Blvd.

Port Angeles, WA 98362

Phone: (360) 417-6298

Email: pchr@pencol.edu

Applications submitted electronically will be accepted without signatures.

Jeanne Clery Statement:

Notice of Availability of Annual Security Report—Peninsula College’s Annual Crime/Security Report is available here, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 360-417-6559.

Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment:

Peninsula College is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit, Anti-Harassment and Nondiscrimination | Title IX.

Peninsula College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, families with children, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, including gender identity, age, honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability in its programs and activities. Coordination of compliance is the responsibility of the Human Resources Officer, Hanan Zawideh, hzawideh@pencol.edu, (360) 417-6212.

Requesting Accommodations for Employment:

Please contact the Peninsula College Human Resources office, 360-417-6298 or email pchr@pencol.edu to request for any accommodations.

Peninsula College is an equal opportunity employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $42,444.00 - $55,224.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Ability to Relocate:

• Port Angeles, WA 98362: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person