DEPARTMENT OR SCHOOL : Office for Student Services/Serving the following Schools: Alternative Campuses, Central, Conservatory of the Arts, Commerce, Putnam, Renaissance, Sci-Tech, Springfield International, Discovery, Baystate Academy, and Phoenix Charter. School assignment(s) will be determined.

SALARY: $39,947- $52,838

WORK SCHEDULE: Effective Immediately; 7.5 hours per day 52 weeks per year including paid vacation time (2 weeks). Evenings and weekends are required and determined by the Springfield Promise Program Calendar of Events.

SUMMARY OF POSITION:

The Financial Aid Advisor (FAA), under the direction of the Office for Student Services provides financial aid services to students on a district-wide basis. The FAA supports students and parents in the financial aid and scholarship process. The FAA will help students and parents understand student needs analysis and facilitate problem solving with students and parents.

DUTIES :

1. Ensure that all students complete the FAFSA, Post Secondary Plan surveys, CSS/Financial Aid Profile, verification, and school specific/institutional financial aid applications, and receive counseling to evaluate their financial aid award letters and appeals.
2. Research and help students apply for scholarships.
3. Conducts verification of student and parent application data in compliance with federal criteria.
4. Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents regarding all aspects of the financial aid process. Make necessary referrals to other work with high-quality partner organizations to support the FAFSA process where necessary.
5. Provides support to students experiencing financial crises which may impact school performance and college attainment. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services i.e. questions regarding citizenship.
6. Interacts with appropriate outside entities in order to facilitate the student eligibility process or to conduct the duties associated with an assigned area of specialization.
7. Maintains appropriate database systems and generates reports.
8. Participates in annual training and professional organizations to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented.
9. Provide support to students and parents over the summer to improve fall matriculation.
10. Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience in financial aid, Proficient in computer/technical skills with Microsoft Office.
• Experience in a youth development model and experience working with diverse populations
• Knowledge of Springfield community is highly desired
• Possess strong group facilitation skills
• Initiative, judgment and ability to deal with confidential matters; strong problem solving skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with collaborative teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with students, parents, administrators and staff

• Ability to work flexible hours that will include evenings and some weekends
• Ability to communicate goals and financial aid philosophy to a wide variety of individuals.

• Positive attitude and desire to help students and the college obtain their goals
• Must possess a valid drivers license
• Must have reliable transportation other than public transportation to travel from school to school in a timely fashion.

The Springfield Public Schools is committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, handicap, or military service, as defined and required by state and federal laws. Additionally, we prohibit retaliation against individuals who oppose such discrimination and harassment or who participate in an equal opportunity investigation.

Reach out to Valerie Williams, the Senior Administrator of Talent and Diversity Development at williamsv@springfieldpublicschools.com. She will be happy to answer any questions that you have.

Nondiscrimination Statement

The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, ancestry, age, disability or military service or marital status. The Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate in admission to, access or treatment in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, religion, national origin, or sexual orientation, disability or homelessness.

Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination

Springfield Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. Springfield Public Schools is required by Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 not to discrimination on the basis of sex in admission, administration of its educational programs or activities or employment. The Senior Administrator of Human Resources, Kathleen OSullivan, Springfield Public Schools, 1550 Main St. Springfield MA, 01103, 413-787-7100, ext. 55428, has been designated as the employee responsible for coordinating Springfield Public Schools efforts to comply with and carry out its responsibilities under Title IX. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and its implementing regulations at 34 C.F.R. Part 106 to Springfield Public Schools may be referred to Kathleen OSullivan or to U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW Washington, DC 20202-1100, telephone 800-421-3481.