Financial Aid Technician
MiraCosta College

For full details and to apply, go to https://jobs.miracosta.edu/postings/2384

Type of Assignment: Full Time
Assignment Category: Regular Position

Position Details:
One regular, categorically funded, full-time position, 40 hours per week, 12 months per year on the Oceanside campus. The work schedule will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm. The person selected for this position will be subject to assignment to any district facility during any hours of operation.


Salary Range: 22
Compensation: Starting $5,371.32 per month, $64,456 annually (range 22, step 1).

Employees must make arrangements for the direct deposit of paychecks into the financial institution of their choice, via electronic fund transfer.


Benefits:
A full benefits package which includes employer-paid medical, dental, and vision plans for employee and dependents; $100,000 employee life insurance; other optional coverages; and membership in the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS).


Position Term in Months: $Term

Application Procedure:
Complete application packets submitted through the online system by Monday, 2/15/2021, 11:59 p.m., will be included in the first screening. Additional applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Please submit the following documents directly in the online system until you receive a confirmation number:

1. Application on which you list all relevant experience.

2. A current resume or curriculum vitae summarizing your educational background and experience.

3. A cover letter addressed to the “Screening and Interview Committee” specifically describing how your experience aligns with the representative duties and desirable qualifications.

4. Transcripts of college coursework which provide evidence of meeting the minimum qualifications as stated in this job posting. Unofficial or legible photocopies are acceptable. If a degree(s) was earned, the transcripts must state that the degree was awarded. Any degree/coursework used to satisfy the minimum qualifications must be from a postsecondary institution accredited by an accreditation agency recognized by either the U.S. Department of Education or the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation.

If your degree(s) is from a college or university outside of the United States, you must submit a detailed evaluation from a professional evaluation agency. To view a list of agencies approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, go to https://www.ctc.ca.gov/docs/default-source/leaflets/cl635.pdf?sfvrsn=6. Transcripts or translations in English still require the evaluation to show the U.S. equivalence of your degree.

The screening and interview committee will review application materials for up to three to four weeks following the closing date. Applicants selected for interview will be contacted by phone; those not selected for interview will be notified by e-mail once interview candidates have been scheduled.

Offer of employment to the person selected for this position is contingent upon 1) successful completion of a pre-placement physical exam at district expense; 2) submission of a current tuberculosis test clearance; 3) proof of eligibility to work in the United States; 4) fingerprint clearance; and 5) approval by the Board of Trustees.

Retired STRS members are not eligible for this position.


Basic Function:
Under general supervision, perform specialized journey-level technical duties in support of financial aid programs and services; receive, analyze and validate financial aid applications; perform needs analyses, determine eligibility and package awards in accordance with district policies and federal, state and local requirements; determine status of financial aid funds including overpayments; monitor and reconcile Federal Work Study program expenditures; and perform related duties as assigned.


Distinguishing Characteristics:
A Financial Aid Technician is distinguished from a Financial Aid Assistant in that an incumbent in the former class is responsible for more complex technical decisions, requiring advanced technical knowledge and experience.


Essential Duties & Responsibilities:
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.
1. Receive, analyze and validate financial aid applications for eligibility; evaluate financial aid needs analyses using standard federal formulas for all available programs, including FAFSA and DREAM Act, to determine Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in each case.
2. Determine eligibility and package financial aid and scholarships, including Pell Grants, direct student loans, work study, supplemental educational opportunity grants; state programs, Cal Grant, Full Time Student Success Grant, Chafee Grant and the Board of Governors fee waiver programs.
3. Assign student budgets for packaging; ensure students receive the correct amount of aid awarded based on their Cost of Attendance; revise budgets as required based on changes in students’ personal circumstances or attendance schedules.
4. Manage, coordinate and lead assigned major financial aid programs, including Federal Work Study, CalWorks Work Study, Direct Student Loans, Cal Grants, Chafee grants and other grant programs; master the detailed technical knowledge and procedural requirements of each assigned program to become the program’s in-house expert.
5. Act as the steward for financial aid funds; review student enrollment status, monthly enroll-ment changes and programs of study; determine and process overpayments, Return to Title IV funds (R2T4) and post-withdrawal disbursements; research individual courses taken as repeats and determine whether to adjust student enrollment status for payment based on Retaking Coursework rules.
6. Evaluate special circumstance appeals and apply sound, technical judgement; address exceptional circumstances and effect any changes in EFC based on decisions made.
7. Monitor student progress for compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Plans to ensure continu¬ation of aid; apply MiraCosta College Satisfactory Academic Progress policy to comply with federal rules; identify and assist in resolving academic progress issues that may affect aid; process financial aid appeals.
8. Research, review, interpret, apply and maintain detailed knowledge of Title IV federal and California education rules, policies and procedures governing student financial aid and programs.
9. Conduct comprehensive audits of student financial aid files to verify completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all information and documentation supporting a student’s financial aid status; identify and assist in resolving compliance issues for required procedural or regula¬tory reporting, filing or submission.
10. Provide work direction and coordinate staff and temporary and student workers to ensure effective Financial Aid office operations.
11. Counsel and advise students and families on financial aid literacy and debt management.
12. Provide technical assistance to students, parents and staff on all aspects of financial aid.


Other Duties:
1. Maintain current knowledge of federal and state laws, local and campus regulations, policies and guidelines that affect programs and application processing and eligibility requirements; attend workshops, conferences and other training sessions involving financial aid as assigned.
2. Develop and deliver organized and comprehensive oral presentations on financial aid during outreach and campus events.
3. Perform related duties as assigned.


Knowledge Of:
1. Personal and financial issues/special circumstances of disadvantaged students.
2. Federal, state and local financial aid programs and regulations.
3. Policies, objectives and technical aspects of financial aid programs and activities.
4. Financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques.
5. Applicable sections of the state education code.
6. Interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy.
7. Interviewing and counseling techniques.
8. Report preparation.
9. Telephone techniques and etiquette.
10. District organization, functions, rules, policies and procedures applicable to assigned areas of responsibility.
11. Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work.
12. Written and oral communication skills including correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.


Ability To:
1. Exercise sound judgment in reviewing student financial aid applications.
2. Perform complex journey-level technical duties in support of financial aid programs and services.
3. Assist with planning and organizing financial aid programs and services.
4. Learn to interpret, apply and explain rules, regulations, policies and procedures and apply them in a variety of procedural situations.
5. Operate a computer and use PeopleSoft and other business software.
6. Work independently with little direction and confidentially with discretion.
7. Plan and organize work.
8. Meet schedules and timelines.
9. Train and provide work direction to others.
10. Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
11. Establish priorities and work effectively with many demands on time.
12. Resolve conflicts and solve problems.
13. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
14. Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
15. Demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and disability issues.
16. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.


Education & Experience:
Graduation from an associate degree program, and at least two years of progressively responsible experience involving admissions, student records and/or financial aid processes; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.


Desirable Qualifications:
Experience with PeopleSoft and/or CampusLogic


Licenses & Other Requirements:
A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the district’s vehicle insurance program.


Physical Effort:
The physical efforts described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Primarily sedentary with intermittent standing, walking, bending and stooping; occasional light lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 pounds; ability to travel to various locations on and off campus as needed to conduct district business.


Emotional Effort:
Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving interactions and communications personally, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals and/or groups from diverse backgrounds on a regular, ongoing basis; ability to work effectively under pressure on a variety of tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities.


Working Conditions:
Primarily business office environment; subject to frequent public contact and interruption and intermittent exposure to individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion. Occasional evening, weekend and/or holiday hours are required on an as-needed basis.

WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Work direction and technical information to Financial Aid Secretary, student workers, Financial Aid Assistants and temporary workers, as assigned.

CONTACTS:
District administrators, faculty, staff, students, other college and community organizations, vendors, contractors and the general public.


Posting Number: S20/21033P
Human Resources Contact Information: jobs@miracosta.edu or 760.795.6854
Job Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
First Screening Date: 2/16/2021

About MiraCosta College
MiraCosta College is one of California's 115 public community colleges. The district operates two campus sites and two centers, and offers a robust online education program. Situated between San Diego and Los Angeles, MiraCosta College benefits from multicultural influences and cultural opportunities. Both students and staff enjoy a friendly atmosphere and the feeling that we are all here to help one another. MiraCosta College is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. For more details, please visit our website at http://www.miracosta.edu/officeofthepresident/pio/aboutmcc.html





Copyright ©2017 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.

Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency

jeid-037da1979464eb4194c8603edb3d7e41