Assistant Director, Financial Aid (In-Training) or Associate Director, Financial Aid

Position Summary

The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College is hiring for an Assistant Director (In-Training) or Associate Director of Financial Aid, depending on experience and skill level.

Under the direction of the Executive Director of Financial Aid, this position independently completes a full range of Financial Aid duties with a high level of efficiency and accuracy. This position has a programmatic responsibility to oversee all aspects of federal and state aid programs in line with regulatory guidelines, relevant institutional policies, and internal procedures. As an Associate Director, this position would supervise a team of 4-6 financial aid staff and provide leadership for the department.

In the absence of the Executive Director, this position serves as the main supervisory and budgetary contact and will represent the department or College at meetings and workshops. Strong technical skills are a must for this position. This position works closely with students, faculty, and staff to further the College’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities, consistent with SVC’s guiding principles.

This is a full-time exempt position in the Financial Aid department of the Student Services Division, which oversees financial aid services at both the Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor campuses. The position is based at the campus in Mount Vernon, Washington, with occasional yet regular visits to the Oak Harbor campus. This position may be required to travel; occasional work on evenings or weekends may be required.

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Duties and Responsibilities

Department Leadership & Supervision
Assistant Director level tasks include:

• Support professional development and training opportunities for staff;
• Assist with developing policies, guidelines, and procedures that ensure regulatory compliance and are consistent with institutional goals and responsive to student needs;
• Serve as a resource to assist staff with complex situations and questions – providing daily guidance, including conducting research via state and federal handbooks, to find answers when needed;
• Oversee scheduling of customer service functions, such as office schedule and email assignments;
• Serves as Acting Director for the Financial Aid Office as needed.

• All of the above in addition to;
• Assist with hiring, supervision, and evaluation of performance of classified staff;
• Ensure financial aid staff are trained in accordance with current state and federal guidelines.

Policy, Funds, & Budget Management
Assistant Director level tasks include:

• Oversee all Unaccompanied Homeless Youth and Dependency Override policies, procedures, and determinations;
• Exercise professional judgment in making Financial Aid decisions with supporting documentation.

• All of the above in addition to;
• Assist with oversight and administration of (awarding and reconciliation) student aid budgets including but not limited to: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG), Work Study, Washington College Grant, Washington Bridge Grant, College Bound, Three and one-half percent Fund (tuition revenue), need-based tuition waivers, and Scholarships;
• Serves as a liaison between the Financial Aid Office and the Business Office, collaborating on account management, billings, disbursement, reconciliation, reports, and related matters.

• Assist with preparing and providing documentation to support required reporting to the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, Washington Student Achievement Council, Department of Education, and others as required for participation in federal and state Financial Aid programs. Independently complete and submit Pell and DOE identity verification reporting;
• Assist with integrating all available technology to streamline services and improve accuracy;
• Assist with training and support to Financial Aid staff and other student services staff on software and technology that assist in student records management.
• Oversee and manage the Passport to College program;
• Oversee and manage all functions related to Satisfactory Academic Progress policies, and procedures, including overseeing and participating in the petition committee.

• All of the above in addition to;
• Oversee, manage, and coordinate preparation and documentation to support required reporting for the annual Unit Record Report (URR), and routine Washington College Grant real-time reporting;
• Oversee fraud management prevention, procedures, and remediation.

• Other duties and responsibilities, projects, and special assignments as assigned;
• Coordinate aspects of Financial Aid or scholarship programs, including organization of paperwork, processes, fund reconciliation, troubleshooting, and problem-solving.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
Required Qualifications to be considered for Assistant Director:

• Leadership or management-related BA degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Three (3) years of experience providing customer service to diverse populations;
• Three (3) years of experience and ability to work in accordance of policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations;
• Experience working in a financial aid or higher education setting;
• Exceptional Excel and Microsoft suite proficiency.

• Relevant Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Two (2) years of supervisory experience;
• Two (2) years of financial aid or higher education experience;
• Exceptional Excel and Microsoft suite proficiency.

• Bilingual or multilingual;
• Peoplesoft or Salesforce experience;
• Experience serving in a leadership or management role.

• Bilingual or multilingual;
• Peoplesoft or Salesforce experience;
• Experience administering Washington State financial aid programs.

Salary, Benefits, Conditions of Employment, Application Procedure, About SVC

Salary and Benefits:

• The Assistant Director's annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% full-time position is $65,000 - $70,000 annually depending on experience.
• The Associate Director's annual salary rate for this twelve-month, 100% full-time position is $70,000 - $77,000 annually depending on experience.
• Contracts are written annually for the period of July 1 to June 30. This position will be filled as soon as practical after a candidate is identified and the salary will be pro-rated for the remaining contract period.
• This position is exempt from civil service. This position is eligible for overtime.
• Salary, retirement, medical, and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations and may be subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.eduthat includes the following:
  • The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
  • A current resume; (Attachment: Resume);
  • A letter of interest addressing the minimum, desired qualifications, and your education and experience as it supports the responsibilities of this position; (Attachment: Cover Letter).

• Prior to employment, 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.
  
  Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• Completion of academic degree(s) will be verified through receipt of official transcripts at the time of hire.