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Financial Aid Technician

Employer
San Mateo County Community College District
Location
Cañada College

Job Details

Posting Details

Position Information

Posting Number2014813SPosition TitleFinancial Aid TechnicianLocationCañada CollegeDepartmentFinancial Aid CAÑ (DEPT)Position Number3CC003Percentage of Full Time100%FLSANon-Exempt (accrues overtime)Months per Year12If other, please specifyMin Salary$61,968 (annual)Max Salary$79,188 (annual)Position TypeClassified Positions Posting Text

Who We Are

The San Mateo County Community District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.” We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces differences — emphasizing collaboration and engaging students in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to realize their goals, and to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our team at San Mateo County Community College District, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice that requires broad collaboration among faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners.

The College and the District

Cañada College is part of the San Mateo County Community College District and is designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), enrolling approximately 11,000 students each academic year. Cañada College has a diverse student population that is a reflection of the communities that is serves. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on Cañada College’s Office of Planning, Research and Institutional Effectiveness (PRIE) website.

Who We Want

We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of cultural heritages, socioeconomic backgrounds, genders, abilities and orientations. Therefore, we prioritize applicants who demonstrate they understand the benefits diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners who are also committed to closing equity gaps. The San Mateo County Community College District seeks employees who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping all students achieve their educational goals.

The Position

The Financial Aid Technician position involves complex clerical work at the action level. Incumbents are involved in compilation of data, assessment, and processing of student eligibility for financial aid awards and services. Under general supervision, the employee provides financial aid policy and procedural information; compiles and assesses data used to determine student eligibility for a variety of awards and related services. The Technician analyzes data, reconciles program accounts, and prepares statistical and other reports to document financial aid packages awarded. Public contact is extensive. The Technician is in contact with students, staff, other educational institutions, community organizations, business representatives, funding agencies, and the general public. This contact includes the exchange of policy and procedural information concerning eligibility criteria, assessment, and awarding of financial aid and other related program services. A moderate to high degree of independent judgment and creativity are required to apply prescribed federal, state, District and college policies and guidelines to a variety of individual situations in order to arrive at appropriate recommendations. Consequences of errors in judgment could be costly in public relations, employee time, money, and result in state/federal compliance or audit findings. The Financial Aid Technician may lead the work of other staff and student assistants as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities

The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.

1. Provides information to students, parents, staff, other educational institutions, community organizations, business representatives, funding agency personnel, and the general public regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid program requirements and other enrollment services policy and procedural information

2. Evaluates documented financial need; advises parents and students about availability, application process, rights, and responsibilities related to student aid. Compiles confidential and other data to assess and document student income status, expenditures, and projected budgets, enrollment status, grades, employment records, immigration status, residency, tax filing status, and other information, including student awards

3. Analyzes student records using electronic or paper supporting documentation to identify errors, correct data, and reprocess changes in student records as required

4. Verifies selected student records as required

5. Participates in community outreach activities to promote financial aid and enrollment services; drives a motor vehicle to attend off-site meetings, workshops, recruitment programs, and other special events

6. Attends workshops, conferences, and trainings as needed to remain current on regulatory changes, technical requirements and processes, and other areas

7. Confers with government and funding agencies regarding immigration, tax, residency, and other eligibility issues

8. Is assigned a group of students by alphabet for financial aid file completion and awarding and is a part of a larger student success team to support student access, success, and completion efforts

9. Meets with students to assess their financial aid eligibility, college standing, and projected financial and enrollment service needs

10. Conducts detailed data assessments in order to select appropriate loans, grants, and other programs for students, based on eligibility and need; assists supervisory staff on special and regular projects and reports as assigned; monitors program expenditures and projects budget expenditures using prescribed funding agency and District policies and financial guidelines

11. Uses a variety of computer systems, software and web sites to set up, maintain, and monitor confidential and other student records and files

12. Uses spreadsheets and a variety of other computer software to compose and prepare original correspondence, narratives, memoranda, research data for and prepare reports in support of programs and services, and to document eligibility, student demographics, profiles, financial status, and other data

13. Provides college and community referral services to students as appropriate

14. Confers with employers, community and government agency representatives, high school staff, financial institutions, and other college staff regarding student job opportunities, follow-up to previous referrals, recruitment activities, and other services

15. Directs the work of clerical and other staff on special projects and other workloads as assigned

16. Helps cover front desk and answers questions at busy times and as necessary

17. Makes presentations to small and large groups regarding available loans and grants, eligibility criteria, programs and student services offered, required forms and timelines and other information

18. Identifies and reports anomalies or other information that may identify potential fraud or misuse of state or federal funds

19. Maintains a close working relationship with Admissions and Records, Cashiering, Counseling, EOPS, and other campus offices

20. Technicians may be assigned some or all of the duties as listed above

Minimum Qualifications

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of an Associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field

• Successful work experience of increasing responsibility that has included accounting, budgeting or other financial record keeping, preferably in banking or related financial loan services

• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff

• Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, including public speaking

• Experience leading the work of others

• Experience compiling data for, composing and preparing reports, correspondence, memoranda and other written materials

• Ability to maintain detailed records

• Experience using databases and a variety of computer software

• Ability to regularly work Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 7pm

• Possession of a valid California Driver’s License (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle to off-site locations are required

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

1. Knowledge of federal, state, District and institutional financial aid policies, procedures, guidelines, and required reports related to the award, continuation, and follow-up of student loans, grants, student employment, Return to Title IV Programs Multiple Pell Reporting and Potential Pell over-payments and other related services

2. Knowledge of federal, state, District and institutional programs, services, and other resources available to assist students in counseling, TRIO, CARE, EOPS, Veterans Services, eDisbursement, immigration procedures, employment, tutoring, enrollment, record keeping, and other areas

3. Skill in processing corrections for various federal and state programs

4. Skill in processing files for students selected for verification, resolution of data discrepancies, calculation and adjustment records for Post Withdrawal Disbursements or over-payments

5. Skill in communicating respectfully, sensitively and effectively with people at various levels within an organization who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds

6. Skill in organization and in following written instructions, formulas, and guidelines to analyze data for the purpose of drawing conclusions

7. Skill in use of enterprise computer systems and a variety of federal and state websites and various software programs to set-up and maintain detailed records and to compose a variety of written materials

8. Skill in oral communication, including persuasive communication skills

9. Skill in written communication

10. Skill in working cooperatively with others and effectively as part of a customer service team

11. Skill in working accurately with financial and statistical data

12. Skill in directing the work of others

13. Ability to use tact and discretion in handling confidential information

14. Ability to regularly work Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 7pm

Physical Requirements

This classification requires sitting for various lengths of time; the ability to type, use phone, stand intermittently, walk, bend and stoop, occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects of light to moderate weight, work at a computer, including viewing a monitor for various lengths of time, repetitive use of keyboard, mouse or other control device, manual dexterity of hands and fingers to operate keyboard; and ability to operate a motor vehicle and drive to off campus locations in order to perform the essential functions.

Preferred QualificationsBenefits

Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

Posting Detail Information

Open Date08/23/2019First Review Date09/21/2019Close DateOpen Until FilledYesSpecial Instructions Summary

Required Application Materials
All applicants are required to submit:

1. A completed online District application form (go to https://jobs.smccd.edu to complete the application and to apply for this position).

2. A resume that details all relevant education, training, and other work experience.

3. A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that addresses the applicant’s cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff as well as the applicant’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this announcement.

Candidates for interview will be selected from among those who most closely meet the requirements and knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to demonstrate job-related knowledge and skills.

For questions related to this posting, please contact:

SMCCCD Office of Human Resources
3401 CSM Drive, San Mateo, CA 94402
Tel.: (650) 574-6555
Fax:(650) 574-6574
Web Page: www.smccd.edu/hr

Conditions of Employment

Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following:

1. Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions)
2. Submit verifications of prior employment
3. Satisfactory references
4. Successfully being cleared for employment through the background checking process

In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information about a candidate on the Internet. If a candidate is aware of incorrect or inaccurate information that is available on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address such an issue with the Office of Human Resources.
.

5. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States
6. Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees
7. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment.
8. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying.

EEO Statement

The San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities.

Accomodations

Applicants who have disabilities may request that special accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process. Accommodation request forms and a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act applicant procedures are available in the Office of Human Resources.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) 2018 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. Our 2018 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies, such as those concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The 2018 Annual Security Report is now available. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every member of the community remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. You can obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
    • District Employee
    • District Employment Site
    • CCC Registry
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • ACCCA
    • HERC
    • EdJoin.com
    • Indeed.com
    • Other
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook or Twitter
  2. * Do you possess a combination of education and experience equivalent to an Associate's degree in accounting, business administration, or a closely related field?
    • Yes
    • No
  3. * Have you had successful work experience of increasing responsibility that has included accounting, budgeting or other financial record keeping, preferably in banking or related financial loan services?
    • Yes
    • No
  4. * Can you demonstrate cultural competence, a sensitivity to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff?
    • Yes
    • No
  5. * Can you demonstrate skill in oral and written communication, including public speaking?
    • Yes
    • No
  6. * Do you have experience in leading the work of others?
    • Yes
    • No
  7. * Do you have experience in compiling data, composing and preparing reports, correspondence, memoranda and other written materials?
    • Yes
    • No
  8. * Do you have experience with detailed record keeping?
    • Yes
    • No
  9. * Do you have experience using databases and a variety of computer software?
    • Yes
    • No
  10. * Are you able to regularly work Tuesday and Wednesday evenings until 7pm?
    • Yes
    • No
  11. * Do you possess a valid California Driver’s License (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle to off-site locations?
    • Yes
    • No
Applicant DocumentsRequired Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Resume/Curriculum Vitae
Optional Documents
  1. Other Document 1
  2. Other Document 2
  3. Other Document 3

Organization

We are a three College District located between San Francisco and the Silicon Valley. Our Colleges serve more than 40,000 students each year and offer the first two years of instruction in a wide variety of transfer programs as well as more than 90 vocational-technical programs. Students can earn either Associate in Arts or Science degrees or receive Certificates of Proficiency in their chosen fields.

The Colleges of the San Mateo County Community College District, Cañada College, College of San Mateo, and Skyline College, recognizing each individual’s right to education, provide the occasions and settings which enable students to develop their minds and their skills, engage their spirits, broaden their understanding of social responsibilities, increase their cultural awareness and realize their individual potential. The District actively participates in the economic, social, and cultural development of San Mateo County. In a richly diverse environment and with increasing awareness of its role in the global community, the District is dedicated to maintaining a climate of academic freedom in which a wide variety of viewpoints is cultivated and shared. The District actively participates in the continuing development of the California Community Colleges as an integral and effective component of the structure of public higher education the State.

Canada College

College of San Mateo

Skyline College

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