Working Title:

Program Specialist 2 - Counseling, Coaching, & Outreach

Posting Number:

2021064CP

Classification Title:

Program Specialist 2

Classification Code:

107I

RCW Exemption Criteria:

No Exemption

EWU Position Number:

C99131

FLSA:

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit :

BU 1

% Full Time:

100

Salary / Wage Range:

CS - 42

Salary Information:

The salary for this position is $52,476.

Term of Appointment:

12

Location:

Cheney

County:

Spokane

Background Check:

Yes - Both

Responsible HR User:

Saundra Godin

Responsible HR User Email address:

sgodin@ewu.edu

Job Summary:

We are currently seeking skilled and team-oriented applicants for the following position: Program Specialist 2 – Counseling, Coaching, and Outreach

This position reports to the Director – Financial Aid and Scholarships. In the support of the University mission, this position provides exceptional student service working independently, under general direction, in performing the following:

• Provides counseling and coaching to students, parents, faculty, high school counselors and others regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, satisfactory academic progress requirements, student budget development, and debt management.
• Serves as a campus partner resource for the Eagle Care Network and administration of emergency aid.
• Reviews files, awards aid, and makes informed and well-documented professional judgment decisions.
• Delivers financial aid presentations and supports community outreach efforts with campus partners, including a special focus on at risk populations.
• Completes assigned special projects and/or program responsibilities based on operational necessity and individual experience and skills.

The candidate selected for this position will be rewarded with competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package which includes highly subsidized health/dental plans, retirement plan with 100% university match, generous paid vacation and sick leave, 11 paid holidays (adjusted accordingly), tuition waiver benefit and more!

EWU expands opportunities for personal transformation through excellence in learning.

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University is a regional, comprehensive public university located in Cheney and Spokane, Washington, with programs offered throughout the state and online with an enrollment of over 12,000 students. Eastern is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington reporting to its own Board of Trustees.

Eastern’s 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 11,000 residents 16 miles southwest of the state’s second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the Brand new Catalyst building and on the Riverpoint Campus which is shared with Washington State University. Eastern also offers program throughout the state based on the needs of the community. Eastern offers an array of bachelor’s and master’s degrees and one applied doctorate in physical therapy. EWU offers 135 fields of study, 9 master’s degrees, 12 graduate certificates, 39 graduate programs, 1 educational specialist degree, and 1 applied doctorate to more than 10,000 enrolled students.

Diversity Statement:

EWU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, age, marital status, families with children, protected veteran or military status, HIV or hepatitis C, status as a mother breastfeeding her child, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, as provided for and to the extent required by state and federal laws.

Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.
COVID-19/MMR Requirement: All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR and proof they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

• COVID-19 Vaccination and Exemption Information link: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/

This position is covered by the Washington Federation of State Employees’ Collective Bargaining Agreement. Programing

Physical Demands :

Optional: Contact Saundra Godin in Human Resource Services at sgodin@ewu.edu to obtain a copy of the Essential Functions Analysis which will describe conditions of employment, such as physical and mental demands.

Pre-Placement Physical :

No

Hearing Test :

No

Medical Monitoring Post Hire :

No

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree and minimum two (2) years financial aid related experience; OR minimum five years financial aid related experience
• Pass the requirements to access all Federal and state aid related administration systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Candidates must demonstrate a high degree of interest, ability and/or experience promoting cultural competency, universal accessibility, or diversity

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree
• Student services related experience
• Experience with Banner Financial Aid system

Work Schedule Type:

Regular

Work Schedule:

Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm

Posting Date:

10/13/2021

Open Until Further Notice:

No

Closing Date:

10/27/2021

Screening to Begin:

10/28/2021

Special Instructions to Applicants:

It is strongly recommended that you print a copy of these instructions and the position posting before you begin to complete the online application, as the instructions will not be viewable once you begin the application process.

Required documentation includes all of the items listed below.

1. Attach a detailed cover letter in which you explain how you meet each of the required qualifications [and preferred qualifications, if applicable]. It is preferred that you provide that information in a bulleted list or within a table within your cover letter.
2. Attach a chronological resume including work history and major duties, education, and any specialized training or skills related to the position. List at least 3 professional references including: names, titles, organization name, phone numbers, email addresses, and connection to you (these can be identical to the references listed on the application).
3. Complete the online application form and respond to the online questions, if applicable.
4. Diversity Response – As an equal opportunity employer with a multicultural staff and student population, we are interested in how your qualifications prepare you to work with diverse faculty, staff, and student populations representing various cultures and backgrounds that may be different from your own. You will be asked to attach a diversity response as part of the online application process: Please describe how you will apply an approach that is supportive to the diverse needs, including universal access, of our students, faculty, staff, and the public.

Application Types Accepted:

Application

% of Time:

40

Responsibility / Duty:

COUNSELING AND COACHING

• Provides one-on-one counseling in person, through e-mail and over the phone to applicants, students, parents and other community members. Areas of counseling include the financial aid application process and eligibility, scholarship processes and eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, budget development, debt management, and University policies and procedures.
• Provides guidance on resolving problems by explaining complex and detailed financial aid information in terms parents and students can more easily understand, and serves as liaison to other various campus and community partners.
• Meets and collaborates with others to resolve issues pertaining to student eligibility and awarding of financial aid. Participates in complex Customer Service Team decisions, policy development, and problem resolution.
• Serves as a in the Eagle Care Network of coordinated campus services, including emergency aid.
• Follows documented policies and procedures to ensure responsive and successful customer service.

Essential Function Indicator:

Yes

% of Time:

40

Responsibility / Duty:

EVALUATION, PACKAGING AND PROFESSIONAL JUDGMENT

• Manages a portion of financial aid applications; determines if and what additional information may be required, makes corrections, and revises financial aid awards to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional policies.
• Uses analytical and mathematical skills to evaluate numerical information presented on tax documents, student aid application records, and aid eligibility worksheets.
• Uses professional judgment to accommodate and counsel students or parents regarding special circumstances.
• Makes appropriate revisions to student eligibility, cost of attendance or financial aid within regulations.
• Reviews complex family financial information and situations and applies sound judgment to arrive at defensible decisions which are well documented and will withstand review by audit.
• Attends training opportunities in order to stay abreast of changing regulations, adherence to regulations, and enhance service to students.
• Stays current and compliant with federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations, policies and procedures governing the financial aid process, and maintains a working knowledge of federal, state and institutional sources of student financial aid.
• Develops and maintains a portion of the financial aid policies and procedures.

Essential Function Indicator:

Yes

% of Time:

10

Responsibility / Duty:

OUTREACH

• Delivers dynamic financial aid presentations to students and their families in support of recruitment goals, and assists with aid application processes at area high schools and other off-campus sites, as well as on campus.
• Meets and collaborates with others to identify and target at risk groups with additional communication and outreach.
• Follows established outreach guidelines and plans.

Essential Function Indicator:

Yes

% of Time:

10

Responsibility / Duty:

DIRECT FUNCTIONS

• Assists with documenting and logging forms in key Financial Aid systems such, as Etrieve.
• Assists with ad hoc or special projects, and provides accurate analysis of data and efficient completion of assignments.

Essential Function Indicator:

Yes