Program Specialist 3 – Workforce Funding

This position helps advance the equity-centered missions of Green River College by delivering student financial aid advising to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities. Under the general direction of the Director of Student Financial Aid, 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. To promote equitable student access and success, the incumbent will work with students to make financial aid processes transparent and help navigate/dismantle barriers to accessing aid (particularly those impacting students of color and other marginalized groups), as well as provide information/referral for other funding sources and perform other tasks related to the administration and implementation of the student financial aid programs.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees.  Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw.  Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.

The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

Financial Aid Responsibilities

• Understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success, an equity lens is applied to:
  1. Independently analyzing incoming financial aid applications and documentation for eligibility based on applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations
  2. Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria
  3. Read, interpret, and implement local, state, and federal regulations
  4. Determine eligibility and award financial aid based on policies and regulatory requirements while adhering to internal awarding policies and compliance regulations
  5. Evaluate satisfactory academic progress and assist with reviewing academic appeals
  6. Special projects as assigned by director and assistant director
• Evaluate student data in multiple database systems, such as: student financials, financial aid, registration, and government databases; analyze data for reasonableness and consistency with other information, contacting outside parties or students when necessary for clarification, making determinations as to how this affects student eligibility, adjusting the aid package and notifying students of changes.
• Independently review all program request changes to determine impact to student. Counsel students and advisors. Requests extensions as needed.

Program Responsibilities

• Independently utilize technology to award Workforce education grants to qualifying students
• In coordination with Workforce Education, independently interpret and apply complex workforce related grant policies to determine and/or confirm individual awards (Opportunity Grant, Basic Food Employment Training, WorkFirst, Worker Retraining, Early Achievers, Perkins Non-Traditional, etc.)
• Monitor, input, and reconcile Workforce financial accounts and transactions, i.e. textbook accounts and/or financial aid expenditures
• Provide other assistance as required to support the Workforce Education Programs.
• Assess reports to resolve any discrepancies on accounts monthly to maintain compliance for the program.
• Perform reconciliation of funds and collaborate with others (student financials, finance, disbursement team) to resolve data discrepancies.
• Act as Financial Aid contact for Ability to Benefit. Reviews students for eligibility, monitors students for continued eligibility, updates student groups in ctcLink, and completes quarterly and annual reporting. Works directly with the Master Achiever Center and Workforce Education to support the students.
• Provide information and assistance to program participants, staff and outside entities regarding program content, policies, and training.
• Provide expertise for all funding provided by Workforce Education.
• Serve as department program liaison and collaborate with other Green River College departments regarding program applicants, outreach material and additional questions.
• Provide information, analyze data, and generate written reports regarding WFE-funded programs as requested.
• Review written updates and attend training and information meetings to maintain current knowledge of regulatory and institutional changes and policies relative to financial aid and workforce. Regularly integrates learning from professional development. Identify and track areas in which federal and state regulatory guidelines align and differ.
• Collaborate with college personnel to identify creative solutions to enhance the students’ overall educational experience and to ensure seamless transition of financial transactions through degree completion.

Student Support

• Provide direct customer service through various formats including virtual, email, phone, and in-person, with excellent customer service skills focused on bringing racial equity and a social justice equity lens
• Exhibit cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in all interactions with students, faculty, staff and community members who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities, and educational experiences
• Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria, acknowledging and mitigating systemic barriers for first generation, undocumented, disabled, domestic violence and formerly justice involved students
• Counsel financial aid applicants on completion of complex application materials following federal and state guidelines, which may include interpretation and translation of unique, highly confidential and often complex circumstances. Understanding confidentiality can include immigration status, complex tax and income situations, and student and family barriers
• Refers students and assists with funding options provided through state, federal, and other third-party agencies.
• Promotes student engagement through campus involvement.
• Provides advocacy for historically underrepresented students

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Responsibilities

• Participate in workshops, discussions, and learning opportunities regularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion (GDEC training opportunities, Diversity Educational Series, departmental trainings and discussions)
• Implement equity tools and strategies obtained through various training opportunities to daily work
• Actively support, engage in, and work to advance Green River College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
• Other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and the college

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree or two years of experience working in an educational environment providing direct student service (such as academic advising, financial aid, TRiO, multicultural services, or Work Force Education)
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to evaluate aid applications
• Ability to learn and accurately utilize various financial aid platforms
• Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality issues.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, in English
• Ability to establish a student-centered environment providing excellent customer service
• Work effectively with colleagues and students of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and detail
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and schedule work to meet timelines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience working in financial aid
• Bilingual in one of the top 8 languages in Green River’s service area: Spanish, Dari, Somali, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Marshallese, Punjabi, Arabic

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS, LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Must not be in default on any student loans

At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.
  
All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.)
 
Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law RCW 28B.112.080.
  
Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/
  
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Green River College’s Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350.
  
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320.
 
 To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination:  Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status age, perceived or actual sensory,  physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran  or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.
  
Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.
 
Reporting
Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College’s appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.
For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion Email: titleixcoordinator@greenriver.edu

Salary : $4,740 - $5,501