Opportunity Description
About Us
We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers, which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington. We are leaders in change and innovation.
As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will have the opportunity to contribute to the passionate work of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as we work against systemic racism. Additionally, you will gain the rewarding experience of contributing to the success of an open-access learning institution that prepares students for life and work, fostering a diverse, engaged and dynamic community.
Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy a competitive benefits package, professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice including, committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.
Position Summary
Position open until filled / First Review of materials will begin: Tuesday June 25, 2024
Salary range for this position is: $57,984/yr. to $78,096/yr. (depending on experience)
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.
The Financial Aid Office at Seattle College delivers high quality service to students, prospective students, and college partners. We are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes equity, justice, and cultural humility as integral components of academic excellence. We are committed to minimizing financial barriers to support students in achieving their educational goals. In addition, we provide detailed professional caring services to students with regard for individual circumstances. We respect the dignity of individuals and the privacy of confidential information. Our team works to ensure we are committed to the pursuit of equitable student learning outcomes for our diverse students. Candidates who can contribute to these values are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas. Black, indigenous, People of Color, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Financial Aid Specialists will provide customer service and financial aid coaching to prospective and current students, their families, and members of the community. Coaching may include navigation, assistance, and troubleshooting for students in the financial aid application process, documentation/verification process, and provide information on dependency overrides, income adjustments, and appeals. Specialists will need to anticipate potential areas of concern for students in the financial aid process and work with students to ensure their onboarding process is smooth.
This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, primarily 8am to 4:30pm.
This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by WFSE.
As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will enjoy competitive compensation as well as all the benefits as a Washington State employee. To learn more about our excellent benefits offerings please see our benefits overview here: Seattle Colleges Employment Benefits
Application Requirements:
- Attach current resume
- Attach cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job
- Required application materials must be completed and submitted online
Notice to Applicants:
Please note that Seattle Colleges is working under hybrid remote and on-site operations, and holding interviews virtually using video conference or teleconference options. As such, if you are selected for interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.
What you will be working on:
- Provide in-depth counseling to students, in person, via email, phone, and/or electronic meetings: analyzing case-by-case problems and recommending necessary or alternative courses of action to ensure student completion of financial aid and funding process.
- Advise students on completing financial aid applications with basic understanding of admissions application process, placement options, areas of study, and steps to enrollment. In doing so, you will advance equity, diversity, and inclusion for students by advocating for historically marginalized individuals, advocating for policy changes, community engagement, and/or self-advocacy.
- Provide excellent customer service by respectfully and effectively communicating with people from diverse backgrounds, such as racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, sexual orientation, and socio-economic and with diverse physical and learning abilities.
- Build and maintain working relationships with students, staff, faculty, and the public via email, phone, at the front counter, by appointment, during drop-in hours, and by presenting at informational sessions.
- Develop and conduct information sessions on the financial aid programs, application process, financial literacy education, and default management to students and/or outside groups such as high schools and service organizations.¿
- Present financial aid information during New Student Orientations, classroom visits and in collaboration with other student support programs. Present financial aid information through the use of brochures, literature, and workshops directed toward students, parents and community groups.
- Serve as an advocate for individuals of historically oppressed communities.
- Specialists may be assigned as point of contact for one or more campus-based programs such as Work-study, TRIO, YearUp, scholarships, cohort funding programs, etc. Required tasks will vary by program, but include:
- Reconcile assigned program budgets and develop internal quality assurance procedures.
- Reconciliation of student level expenditures monthly, including reconciliation between student accounts, accounting records, and state/federal program records.
- Interpret and stay current on frequently changing federal, state, and institutional regulations of assigned programs.
- Cross-train staff within department and outside departments, as needed.
- Support and enhance a sense of belonging and success for students from traditionally marginalized populations.
- Participate in staff meetings, trainings, student workshops, and events.
- Other related duties as assigned.
What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)
- Excellent student-centered customer service, outstanding interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail
- Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of working to remove barriers for historically marginalized communities and students.
- Earned Associates Degree or beyond
- Two (2) years of experience with student financial aid, student development services, or related field in higher education that indicates successful performance of the essential functions of this position.
- Experience interpreting policies/procedures based on government regulations
Demonstrated knowledge of:
- Federal and state resources available for training and compliance, including network of financial aid associations and annual conferences
- Systems used for processing, communicating, and overseeing student financial aid eligibility
Demonstrated ability to:
- Respectfully and effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds including racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, and sexual orientation, and with diverse physical and learning abilities.
- Understand and interpret detailed information and trouble shoot and problem solve academic and systems issues, with attention to detail.
- Understand, interpret and apply complex federal regulations, and conduct research
- Think critically, be proactive, and take initiative
- Communicate clearly, collaboratively, and consistently
- Meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work
- Work evenings and weekends
- Must not be in default on any student loans
Physical Requirements:
The Position
Typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to Perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office.
Encounters frequent interruptions throughout the workday.
Is regularly required to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion with or without reasonable accommodation.
Disability Accommodation
Seattle Colleges follows the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides the following information as a guideline for applicants:
Ability to operate office equipment
Ability to read and verify data and prepare various materials
Ability to exchange information on the phone or in person
Notice of Non-discrimination Statement
Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodations will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of 'bullying' behaviors, including 'cyber bullying'.
Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the college's Director of Legal Compliance:
1500 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3803
(206) 934-3873
Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.
https://hcprd.ctclink.us/psc/tam/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS\_HRAM\_FL.HRS\_CG\_SEARCH\_FL.GBL?EMPLOYEE/TAM/c/HRS\_HRAM\_FL.HRS\_CG\_SEARCH\_FL.GBL?Page=HRS\_APP\_JBPST\_FL&Action=U&SiteId=60&FOCUS=Applicant&JobOpeningId=13837&PostingSeq=1
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $57,984.00 - $78,096.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person