JOB GOAL:

Additional income between $182.50-$264.50 per paycheck (24 out of 26 paychecks a year) on top of hourly wage depending on the health plan selected.

Kirkwood offers a very competitive benefits package as well. https://www.kirkwood.edu/about-us/faculty-leadership/leadership-team/human-resources/benefits-forms

To advance the college’s mission, vision, principles, values and strategic initiatives through continuous improvement decisions.

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY:

The principal purpose of this position is to provide assistance and support to students applying for Financial Aid, registering, or paying their bill. The Student Support Specialist should be able to answer most routine questions and provide information to students in person and on the phone. The position will be the representative of the Financial Aid and Registrar’s office, and as such customer service skills and friendly demeanor are required. In addition, this position is responsible for certain aspects of financial aid processing.

UNIVERSAL CORE COMPETENCIES:

Advocate for Continual Improvement- empowering each other to identify opportunities for excellence.

Collaborate with Mutual Accountability- working together with a willingness to take ownership and account for our actions.

Champion Service- anticipating needs and create a welcoming, diverse, and inclusive environment.

Perseverance- commitment to excellence even in the face of adversity or delay in achieving success.

Lead- regardless of title, through positive influence.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Represent the College in the most positive manner to students, parents and community members.Communicate effectively with students, parents and community members. Assist students with financial aid, registration and billing issues.Advise students on classes that count toward their program using the Degree AuditHelp students through the financial aid application.Spend at least 50% of the day assisting students over the phone.Handling traffic of in-person scheduled appointments.Assist in orientation presentations on financial aid.Responsible for the processing of one or more financial aid and registrar forms.Assists with updating student financial aid files as needed.Help with registrations, adding and dropping of classes.Perform other related work duties as assigned.

PERFORMANCE EXPECTATIONS:

Be able and willing to represent the College in the most positive manner with prospective, former and current students, parents, clients, suppliers and the community we serve.Ability to get along with diverse personalities.Must be enthusiastic, self-motivated and energetic with the ability to meet and deal effectively with students, parents, college personnel and the community we serve.Must have the ability to understand and interpret complicated financial aid situations.Must be proficient at communicating complicated situations to a customer that does not have an understanding of the process. Access, input and retrieve information from Kirkwood’s Enterprise Resource Planning system; operate standard office equipment; and maintain current and accurate filing system.Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, logically and coherently orally and in writing.Be positive and helpful under stressful situations.Possess a good understanding of accounting/bookkeeping procedures.Possess excellent interpersonal, analytical, organizational, leadership, and communication skills. Welcome, value, and nurture people of all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, as well as support and promote an environment that accepts differences.

The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential job duties/responsibilities and performance expectations of the job, which should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES WITH/WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

The position involves working in an office setting. Occasional (10-33%) standing, pushing, pulling and grasping. Frequent (34-66%) reaching and viewing a computer and other types of close visual work. Constant (67-100%) sitting, walking, repetitive motion, talking and hearing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

High school diploma required, Associate degree preferred

Experience in a higher education setting preferred

EEO AA/STATEMENT:

Kirkwood Community College shall not engage in nor allow unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment. This includes all employment practices, hiring practices, and unwelcome harassment of applicants or employees based on race, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information or actual or potential parental, family, marital status or veteran status. If you have questions or complaints related to compliance with the policy please contact the Vice President of Human Resources at Kirkwood Community College, 313 Kirkwood Hall, 6301 Kirkwood Blvd., SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Telephone: 319-398-5572, Email: equity@Kirkwood.edu or the director of the Office for Civil Rights U.S. Department of Education, John C. Kluczynski Federal Building, 230 S. Dearborn Street, 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604-7204, Telephone: (312) 730-1560 Facsimile: (312) 730-1576, TDD (800) 877-8339 Email: OCR.Chicago@ed.gov.