Job Announcement List Title:
Veteran School Certifying Official (SCO) and Work Study Lead (Program Specialist 3) at Lower Columbia College

Post Date
1/24/2023

Expiration Date
2/23/2023

Details:
At a Glance!
The Veteran School Certifying Official (SCO) and Work-Study Lead helps advance the equity-centered mission of Lower Columbia College by ensuring smooth delivery of student financial aid to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on
advancing access to marginalized communities. This position provides expertise in program guidance and support for identified student populations to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals. In order to promote equitable student access and success, this position will work to process applications, determine federal and state financial aid eligibility, including loans, create federal and state financial aid award offers, and process workforce awards. This position is the main campus SCO that support campus veteran students and their dependents.

We are looking for a team player with strong attention to detail, analytical skills, and a passion to serve students. The successful candidate will also have a strong understanding of systemic barriers students from underrepresented backgrounds experience and work proactively to develop processes to remove those barriers. This person will be dedicated to supporting underrepresented students, including veterans. The person in this role must be a self-starter, enjoy researching to solve problems, and have a passion for serving others.

This position is classified as a Program Specialist 3 by the State of Washington. The entire salary range is reflected in the posting, but we will be hiring closer to the beginning of the range. This position is 40 hours per week with a typical schedule of Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. There is some flexibility to work hybrid (primarily on campus with some remote work) after the training period. This position reports to the Director of Financial Aid.

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Examples of Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Aid Responsibilities

Provide excellent customer service to students and campus community
Understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success
Apply an equity lens to:
Analyzing incoming financial aid applications and documentation for eligibility based on applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations
Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria
Determine eligibility and award financial aid based on policies and regulatory requirements while adhering to internal awarding policies and compliance regulations
Evaluate satisfactory academic progress (SAP)
Manage and award student case load – distributed by alpha. Award and adjust, as required, student’s financial aid including but not limited to Pell, SEOG, SNG, Work study, VA Benefits, and Direct Student Loans
Coordinate with the Workforce Training, Opportunity Grant, and other grant program staff to ensure accurate and timely awarding
Evaluate student data in multiple database systems, such as: cashiering, financial aid, registration, workforce, and government databases
Serve as loan back up
Program Responsibilities – SCO/Veteran’s Coordinator LEAD
Supervise VA Work Study students
Monitor five different benefit programs by exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying rules and regulations for these VA benefit programs. Assist veterans and dependents in applying for VA benefits and financial aid
Coordinate with Admissions/Registration to determine veteran’s admissions fee status to properly charge the veteran the correct tuition
Verify and report to VA Once veterans class registrations to ensure classes they are enrolled in apply to their major and have not taken previously taken. Verify and report to VA Once veteran student grades and notify the appropriate individual if action is necessary
Program Responsibilities – Work-Study LEAD
Responsible for the coordination of the work study programs which includes Federal, State and Off campus State/Federal work study
Maintain and monitor records of amounts earned. Verify amounts with financial reports from the Business Office, adjusting aid packages when required and notify students and supervisors of awards and maximum expenditures
Monthly, quarterly, and annual work study reconciliation and reporting to payroll and supervisors as necessary to ensure student awards are expended appropriately
Assist to provide accurate work study for the federal Operations Report and the state’s Unit Record Report for work-study and loans
Collaborate with Career Services staff to coordinate federal off-campus work-study students and employers
This description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, effort, work conditions, and benefits associated with the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Qualifications:
Typical Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

Associate degree or two years of experience working in a higher education environment providing direct student service (such as academic advising, financial aid, TRiO, multicultural services, or Workforce Education)
Proficiency in computer programs (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite, Google applications)
Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software
Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Ability to maintain confidentiality and comply with FERPA
Commitment to provide high quality customer service to our campus community who represent a broad spectrum of ages, abilities, ethnicities, gender expression and identity, education, and cultural backgrounds
Attention to detail
Organizational skills
Preferred Qualifications:
Two years of experience working in financial aid
Experience serving veterans (including lived experience)
Ability to speak a regionally top spoken language other than English is preferred (Spanish, Russian, and Chuukese).
Knowledge of federal and state regulations and requirements regarding Veteran student programs and financial aid
Experience with PeopleSoft
The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting, but we do consider candidates with relatable education, experience, and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet exactly what's listed. With questions about qualifications, feel free to reach out to our HR team.

Comments:
Insurance:
We offer an affordable benefits package that delivers choice, access, value, and stability to you and your family. You have medical and dental coverage, life insurance, long-term disability, and the option to enroll in a medical Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Assistance Program. For more information on health care benefits, please visit Washington Health Care Authority.

Retirement:
Employees participate in either PERS Plan 2 or PERS Plan 3 administered through the Department of Retirements Systems. Both plans are matched by LCC. There are also two supplemental tax-deferred retirement plans you can elect to participate in: the State Board Voluntary Investment Program and the Washington State Deferred Compensation Program.

Other Benefits:
Paid leave
LCC offers generous paid leave as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Tuition Waiver
Once Classified employees complete their probationary period, they are eligible to take $10 classes at LCC. State employees also qualify for tuition discounts with other various colleges and universities across the state (RCW 28B.15.558).

Red Devil Wellness
Red Devil Wellness is LCC's employee wellness program that strives to help employees improve and maintain their well-being enabling them to live healthier and more fulfilling lives.

On-site Childcare Center
The Early Learning Center is a state licensed program that offers high quality childcare for children ages 1 month through kindergarten entry to students, staff and faculty. The center is open Monday through Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The program is a participant of the Washington State Early Achievers quality rating and improvement system and rated a level 4-Quality Level of Excellence. Our teachers are trained in the Early Childhood Education field.

Employer:
Lower Columbia College
Contact:
April Tovar

Address:
1600 Maple Street
Longview, WA 98632

Work Phone:
3604422391

Email:
atovarvilla@lowercolumbia.edu

Website:
https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/lowercolumbia/jobs/3860728/veteran-school-certifying-official-sco-and-work-study-lead-program-specialist?page=3&pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs