Director of Financial Aid

JOB TITLE:                        

Director, Financial Aid

DEPARTMENT:                

Student Affairs

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:    

Professional 11, $70,000 - $85,000 annually, depending on education and experience, 12 mos. per year, benefit-eligible, exempt

Generous Benefits include: (Note, the average value of FVCC's benefits is $25,000 in addition to salary!)

• Health/Vision, Dental, Life/ADD & Long-term Disability Insurance: Generous Employer contribution toward the cost of these benefit premiums
• Vacation Leave: Earn up to 15 days per year
• Sick Leave: Earn up to 12 days per year
• Holiday Leave: 12 per year
• Retirement: Participates in MT Public Employees Retirement System; AND Employer match up to 7% for 403(b)
• Tuition Waiver: Employee plus up to two legal dependents
• Public loan forgiveness

CLOSING DATE:

Open Until Filled, however, applications received by 02/25/25 will have priority.

SUMMARY

Flathead Valley Community College is an outstanding public community college located on a beautiful campus in Kalispell, Montana with panoramic views of the northern Rocky Mountains and Glacier National Park. Our vision is to improve lives through learning, and the trustees, faculty and staff are dedicated to values that foster and preserve the spirit of our college and promote and support the well-being and economic development of the communities we serve.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leads a progressive and dynamic financial aid department in order to support and advance institutional efforts to increase student access and success.
• Oversees all aspects of processing student aid, awarding grants and scholarships and determining loan program eligibility for institutional, state, and federal funds and programs
• Coordinates financial services among various campus units, including Admissions, the Business Office, Registrar, Human Resources, Bookstore, and the Foundation
• Plans, organizes, and manages the operations and activities of the federal, state, locally and private funded financial aid
• Continuously monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and regulatory compliance of college, state and federal financial aid policies, practices, and procedures
• Interprets and applies Title VI, Pell Grant, loan and financial aid federal regulations for applicants
• Serves as the Veterans’ Certifying Official; certifies enrollment, bills and monitors records and data with Veterans Affairs. Administers Veterans Affairs programs, including but not limited to; reviews eligibility, authorizes payment, follows federal rules, regulations, and guidelines to prospective veterans, other students and their families.
• Effectively manages difficult situations with stakeholders, employing active listening and conflict resolution skills. Responds to complaints promptly and professionally, ensuring clear communication with all parties involved
• Oversees awards of internal and external scholarships
• Participates in institutional planning; coordinates areas of responsibility in support of the College’s strategic plan; provides related consultative services in support of academic and institutional decision making; incorporates financial aid into enrollment management. 
• Provides leadership, mentors and supervises staff; motivates and empowers staff to create environments that promote innovation; sets standards for excellent customer service
• Ensures efficient and effective delivery of financial aid to the student population by mentorship and guidance of the campus financial aid team.
• Develops, implements and sustains comprehensive guidance, support and excellent customer service to the student, staff and public clients of financial aid. 
• Advises and presents to students, parents, staff, high school counselors, other college personnel, and off-campus agencies on all aspects of student financial aid.
• Develops communication for students and families across a variety of channels to engage and support access, understanding and completion of the financial aid process. Provides timely, accurate and proactive information and notifications throughout the awarding cycle.
• Networks and collaborates with stakeholders; establishes and maintains strong collegial relationships with staff, faculty, administrators, and community members; leads and serves on various committees. 
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of current practices and trends in financial aid.
• Oversees area’s operations, budgeting and resource allocation; establishes long range planning mechanisms; prepares periodic reports; represents the department and establishes a collaborative relationship with other college departments. Prepares operating budget recommendations, implements and monitors assigned budgets. 
• Establishes and initiates effective and timely communications to assure sharing of information
• Chair or serves as a member on various college committees and teams; meets with other college personnel for events, projects, planning, idea sharing, issues resolution, operational communications, professional development, etc. 
• Remains current in practices, trends and research related to areas of assignment
• Attends related trainings, workshops, and professional development 
• Cross trains to perform other departmental and team functions; backfills for staff as needed 
• Actively participates in the development of a climate that promotes and supports innovation and efforts to continuously improve services to students, faculty, and the College
• Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships 
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality of students in accordance with applicable laws and policies
• Advances the mission of FVCC by serving on or convening committees and contributing in the community in college-related activities
• Performs other duties as assigned
• Reports to the Dean of Student Success

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in an education, finance, or closely related field and a minimum of three years of progressively responsible financial aid work experience; OR, 
• Bachelor’s degree in an education, finance, or closely related field and a minimum of five years of progressively responsible leadership work experience; OR, 
• An equivalent combination of higher education and experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in a closely related field
• Five or more years of financial aid experience
• Experience with financial aid software 
• Experience in community college or public education administration
• Comprehensive knowledge of role and mission of community colleges

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple areas, individuals, projects and priorities
• Strong analytical ability and problem-solving skills 
• Demonstrated skills and abilities to effectively utilize databases, word-processing, spreadsheets, online computer transaction, and to operate a variety of computer applications 
• Ability to design and format reports, forms, and queries
• Demonstrated skill in effectively analyzing data for outcome-oriented results
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC 
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ambassador for the College by interacting appropriately with the college community and community
• Ability to maintain effective and positive professional relationships
• Ability to follow and issue directions
• Demonstrated communication, technology, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds
• Ability to intermittently work non-traditional schedules including evenings, weekends, etc.
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry. Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.