What are the responsibilities and job description for the Literacy Counselor (Administrative Program Specialist) position at Eastern Oregon University?
The Financial Aid Office (FAO) at Eastern Oregon University (EOU) is currently accepting applications for a Financial Aid Counselor/Literacy Coordinator (FACLC). This is a 12-Month, Full-Time, 1.0 FTE position that fully qualifies for the full array of State of Oregon employee benefits including full employee and family healthcare, vision and dental insurance coverage, generous Oregon retirement benefits, plus paid vacation, personal days, and holidays.
The Financial Aid Counselor/Literacy Coordinator (FACLC) APS position is responsible for counseling current students and educating prospective students and their families about federal, state, local, and institutional aid programs. This position is also responsible for conducting EOU’s literacy program operations, including campus visits and the Mountaineer Information Center.
The Financial Aid Counselor/Literacy Coordinator (FACLC) APS position is responsible for counseling current students and educating prospective students and their families about federal, state, local, and institutional aid programs. This position is also responsible for conducting EOU’s literacy program operations, including campus visits and the Mountaineer Information Center.
This position works with a high degree of independence under general supervision of the Assistant Director. This position requires a comprehensive understanding of all financial aid programs, both external and internal, in order to answer questions with confidence and accuracy. This position will interact with the public throughout the day. The position will respond to an average of 80 emails and 30 phone calls per day, more during peak times of the year.
The Financial Aid Counselor position is part of the SEIU Classified Staff bargaining unit at the classification title of Administrative Program Specialist (APS).
Responsibilities
The Financial Aid Counselor position is part of the SEIU Classified Staff bargaining unit at the classification title of Administrative Program Specialist (APS).
Financial Aid Counseling
- Provide support to students, families, and staff in understanding financial aid, including federal, state, and campus-based programs (grants, loans, scholarships). Offer guidance through multiple channels, address concerns, and educate on financial aid policies, deadlines, rights, and responsibilities. Assist with account reviews and explain disbursement and refund processes.
Financial Literacy Program Coordinator
- Administer the university’s Financial Literacy Program, offering education on financial aid and personal finance through campus events and collaborations with various departments. Promote debt literacy, budgeting, and financial planning, while also assisting with exit counseling and loan default prevention.
Financial Aid System and Process Management
- Update and manage the Banner financial aid system, document repository, and office calendar. Ensure timely task processing and coordination with IT staff.
Financial Aid Webpage Management
- Coordinate with the university’s webmaster to maintain and update the financial aid webpage, ensuring accessibility and compliance with regulations.
Student Records and Eligibility Support
- Monitor and support compliance with satisfactory academic progress (SAP) requirements, advising students on academic issues affecting financial aid eligibility.
Verifications
- Review and process student verification documentation to ensure accurate financial aid disbursement, in compliance with Department of Education requirements.
Budget Adjustments
- Process student budget adjustments for various reasons and ensure compliance with federal regulations to prevent over-awarding.
Rejected FAFSA
- Identify and resolve FAFSA issues, assisting students in making corrections for successful processing.
Professional Judgment
- Review special circumstances for financial aid eligibility adjustments and make informed decisions under the direction of the SFA Director.
Dependency Overrides
- Evaluate and process dependency override requests to determine if a student can be considered independent for financial aid purposes, ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
Document Creation and Communication Support
- Create and update office documents, correspondence, forms, and marketing materials, collaborating with staff to meet students’ needs in navigating financial aid processes.
Experience:
- Two years of experience as an administrative or executive support specialist, providing support for projects, programs, or operations.
- Responsibilities include tasks beyond clerical work, such as interpreting laws, regulations, and rules, administrative data collection and analysis, and project/process evaluation.
- Equivalent combination of training and experience is acceptable.
Teamwork:
- Proven ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Skills:
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong customer service orientation.
- Proficient in computer, math, and database skills.
- Flexible with willingness to work overtime as necessary.
Compliance:
- Adherence to federal and state regulations, as well as office policies.
- High standards for accuracy and quality.
- Effective time management and ability to manage workload independently.
Knowledge:
- Ability to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance.
Background Check:
- Must satisfactorily complete EOU criminal and credential background check. Having a criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment.
Employment Eligibility:
- In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. Eastern Oregon University will not sponsor applicants for employment visas.
Knowledge:
- In-depth knowledge of federal and state regulations, as well as institutional policies related to Admissions, Registration, and Student Accounts.
- Familiarity with secure sites such as OSAC, NSLDS, COD, and FAFSA Partner Portal.
Applicant must provide:
1) Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
2) Resume/Curriculum vitae with the names, phone numbers and emails of at least three (3) professional references included.
Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.
Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.
EOU offers a very attractive package of employee benefits including:
1) Letter of application (which should include why this position is attractive to the applicant, how it meets the applicant’s professional goals, and what attracts the applicant to EOU);
2) Resume/Curriculum vitae with the names, phone numbers and emails of at least three (3) professional references included.
Candidates are encouraged to review the values and principles of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/institutional-effectiveness/values-and-principles/.
Only complete files of qualified applicants will be reviewed.
EOU offers a very attractive package of employee benefits including:
• Paid holidays (11 days/year)
- Paid vacation (accrues 8 hours/month)
- Paid sick time-off (accrues 8 hours/month – no limit!)
- Individual AND Family Healthcare Insurance: medical, dental and vision! (95% employer paid!)
- Generous Oregon Public Employee Retirement System benefits
- Employer paid life insurance
- Discounted tuition benefits for employees or eligible dependents
- Discounted athletics facilities membership
- For more details, see Prospective Employees https://www.eou.edu/hr/prospective-employees/.
Eastern Oregon University – Oregon’s Rural University! – is a respected public, higher education institution of academic excellence. Outstanding faculty and staff thrive and together fulfill their career ambitions to serve students from all walks of life. EOU is a beautiful, quaint campus nestled in a remarkably scenic, high elevation valley populated by wonderful, community-minded citizens that have balanced work-life flexibility. Take a virtual tour of Eastern Oregon University https://www.eou.edu/visitor/.
Eastern Oregon University is an EEO Employer and welcomes applications from women, members of historically underrepresented minority groups, US Veterans, and persons with disabilities. EOU is committed to providing equal opportunity in its recruitment, admissions, educational programs, activities and employment without illegal discrimination on the basis of age, color, disability, national origin, race, marital status, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression or any status as protected by state or federal law.
Salary : $3,562
