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Financial Aid Technician I
Job Description
Job Number
CLA00488PPosition Title
Financial Aid Technician IPosition Type
Classified Full TimePercentage Employee
100%Number of Months Assignment
12Starting Date
As soon as possibleCurrent Work Schedule
Days and hours of employment may change depending on District needs.
Salary Range
25Salary
Successful candidate will start at step 1 except in cases where District deems appropriate.
FLSA
Non-ExemptLocation
Main CampusDepartment
Financial AidOpen Date
08/27/2024Closing Date
09/10/2024About Rio Hondo College
Río Hondo College welcomes and embraces all students in their educational and career pathways. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), our College has a student population of 22,000, of which 18,000 are Latinx students. We were the first college in Los Angeles County to provide two years of free tuition to first-time, full-time college students through our Río Promise program. We are proud to acknowledge that many of our students have transferred to high ranked institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, USC and UCLA, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, and Whittier College to name a few.
Strengths
Our caring and dedicated student-centered staff, faculty, and administrators are devoted to the advancement of educational justice, equity, and opportunity for all our students. Our College’s 900 employees, with close to 600 faculty, hold themselves accountable for the academic success of disproportionately impacted student populations. Our entire staff, with unwavering team collaboration, work hard to ensure our students reach their full potential by eliminating gaps in academic outcomes that traditionally hinder students of color.
Río Hondo College is committed to the recruitment of qualified and diverse employees who are dedicated to our students’ success. We recognize that diversity in an academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for our students. We are steadfast in our hiring practices and staff development processes which reinforce the goals of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion. Our practices and processes also support the importance of a workforce that reflects the community and the diverse student population we serve.
Río Hondo College employs approximately 55% tenured track faculty of color; 60% part-time faculty of color; 85% classified staff of color; and 50% administrators of color.
Río Hondo College offers 30 associate degrees that guarantee transfer (ADTs) to Cal State Universities, a bachelor’s degree in Automotive Technology, more than 60 certificates, a Pathway to Law School, dual enrollment with K-12 districts, state championship speech & debate team, top-notch athletic teams, student leadership opportunities, travel abroad experiences and more.
In collaboration with the communities in Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, South El Monte, Whittier, portions of Norwalk, La Mirada, Downey, La Puente, the City of Industry, Los Nietos and Avocado Heights, Río Hondo College provides an exceptional academic curriculum to meet the unique needs of our region and strengthen our communities.
Basic Function
Representative Duties
2. Provides technical assistance and information via various modalities such as in person, phone, email, chat and video conferencing to students, staff, and the public regarding financial aid programs and services; instructs students in correct procedures for completion of forms and applications; explains applications, requirements, and restrictions; reviews and verifies completed forms for accuracy and completeness; advises students of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid. E
3. Receives and greets visitors, answers telephones, and provides information and assistance; explains department policies, procedures, and functions according to established guidelines; responds to requests for information from District officials, faculty, students, and other institutions. E
4. Assists in determination of student need and eligibility for financial aid; may verify initial and continuing dual enrollment. E
5. Coordinates communications and activities with other District departments and personnel, educational institutions, government, private agencies, and the public. E
6. Prepares a variety of correspondence, memoranda, forms, and documents to be distributed to college staff and students related to Financial Aid programs, processes, and procedures. E
7. Monitors academic progress of students to ensure compliance with applicable requirements and guidelines. E
8. Researches, extracts, gathers, and compiles information and data to generate and prepare various reports and forms as required; prepares, updates, and maintains a variety of department correspondence including but not limited to standard forms, requisitions, and documents. E
9. Operates computer hardware, software, and system applications to obtain or verify financial aid information and records; inputs a variety of information and data to maintain records and files. E
10. Establishes and maintains a variety of files, records, and filing systems; maintains confidentiality of information and records. E
11. Trains and provides work direction to student assistants, student workers, and short-term, temporary employees as assigned. E
12. Performs a variety of clerical and administrative responsibilities in support of the department’s day-to-day activities and/or operations utilizing a variety of communication modalities including but not limited to answers and responds to phone calls, emails, text messages, and chat platforms; opens, screens, and distributes mail and correspondence; photocopies documents and requests duplication services; ensures maintenance and repairs of assigned work areas, facilities, or equipment; enters various requests for services from IT, Facilities, and Maintenance; contacts vendors for equipment service, when needed; follows-up with vendors to ensure satisfactory completion of requests; may perform simple repairs or maintenance to standard office equipment. E
13. May transport students to other locations as needed or requested.
14. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.
Knowledge and Abilities
• District and college operations, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and objectives related to the scope of the assignment.
• Federal, state, and local financial aid programs and regulations.
• California Education Code and Title V as it relates to the area of assignment.
• Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
• Policies, objectives, and technical aspects of financial aid programs and activities.
• District organization, operations, policies, and objectives pertaining to student admissions and financial aid.
• Federal, state, and local financial aid programs and regulations.
• Interact with individuals of various ages, disabilities, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups.
• Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
• Principles of sound business communication.
• Specialized software applications and programs utilized by the District and/or college related to the scope of the assignment.
• Effective communication skills both verbally and written.
• Elements of proper grammar usage, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.
• Financial Aid counseling techniques.
• Financial, administrative, and statistical record-keeping, filing, file sharing, and filing system methods and techniques.
• Database management.
• Basic mathematics.
• Methods and practices of program, financial, and/or confidential record keeping, filing, and file sharing.
• Modern office methods, practices, and procedures, and equipment including financial filing systems, customer service, telephone techniques, and etiquette.
• Interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain District and department/program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Integrate local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Understand and apply the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures of specialized Financial Aid programs, such as Veteran Affairs, Cal Grants, PELL, Student Direct Loans, and Federal Work Study as they related to the scope and area of the assignment.
• Learn, interpret, integrate, and explain local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Interpret rules, regulations, and policies regarding financial aid programs and awards and determine student eligibility.
• Perform financial and statistical recordkeeping duties for a variety of federal and state financial aid programs.
• Department and/or program policies and procedures.
• Read, understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Use computer-related software programs, applications, and databases related to the area of assignment.
• Perform specialized clerical and routine technical duties in a financial aid office.
• Work effectively with students in all populations.
• Operate and utilize various computers and associated software applications and programs related to the scope of the assignment.
• Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Work independently in the absence of supervision.
• Understand and follow verbal and written directions.
• Operate office equipment including personal computers, computer hardware and peripherals.
• Accurately research a variety of issues and/or concerns.
• Prepare related financial and statistical reports, records, and correspondence.
• Type at an acceptable rate of speed based on the requirements of the assignment.
• Make simple arithmetic calculations.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action applying good judgement.
• Maintain confidentiality of District files and records.
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work to meet schedules and timelines.
• Present information to students and the public related to the assigned department and/or program.
• Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex, and confidential information.
• Interact with individuals of various ages, disabilities, socioeconomic, and ethnic groups.
• Demonstrate clear evidence of sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others in the course of work.
Education and Experience
• Two (2) years of clerical experience preferably involving financial aid activities;
• Or, any combination of education and experience which would provide the required qualifications for the position.
Foreign Degrees
Any degree from a country other than the United States, including Canada and Great Britain, must be evaluated by an Evaluation Service prior to the closing date. Certification must be attached with copies of transcripts.
License Certificates/Credentials
• May be required to travel for various off-site meetings, trainings, conferences, and or events in support of the overall objective of the position.
Desired Qualifications
• Experience in a student-centered division within higher education.
Distinguishable Characteristics
The Financial Aid Technician is distinguished from the Financial Aid Technician II in that the latter is the journey-level classification within the Financial Aid Technician series. The incumbent performs specialized and technical responsibilities in support of one or more assigned programs and services. The Financial Aid Technician II requires technical knowledge of various local, state, and federal loan and grant programs available to qualifying students.
Working Conditions
While performing the duties of this job, employees are regularly required to sit or stand for extended periods of time; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel, operate personal computers and other standard office equipment; and reach with hands and arms.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, use of both eyes, ability to distinguish basic shades and colors and the ability to adjust focus.
Employees are frequently required to walk and stand and occasionally lift up to 20 pounds.
MENTAL DEMANDS:
While performing the duties of this class, incumbents are regularly required to use written and oral communication skills; read and interpret data; use math and mathematical reasoning; analyze and solve problems; learn and apply new information and skills; perform highly detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks; and interact with District, students, vendors and others encountered in the course of work, some of whom are dissatisfied or abusive.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Employees will encounter students under a variety of circumstances; work under typical office conditions, with constant interruptions, and the noise level may vary depending on activities of the office.
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires us to identify the essential duties/functions of the position. We have indicated those duties with an E on the job description.
Position Description
Application Procedure
Applicants must submit a complete online application that includes the items listed.
- Rio Hondo College online application (which includes supplemental questions)
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
- PAPER APPLICATIONS AND APPLICATION MATERIALS SENT VIA MAIL, FAX, OR EMAIL WILL NO LONGER BE ACCEPTED.
- NOTE THAT ALL CORRESPONDENCE, INCLUDING INTERVIEW INVITATIONS, WILL BE SENT VIA EMAIL.
Additional Information
- The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires the District obtain documentation from every individual who is employed which verifies identity and authorizes his/her right to work in the United States.
- Successful candidate is responsible for verifying all prior work experience and providing all academic transcripts for purposes of salary placement.
- As a condition of employment, the selected applicant must provide a set of fingerprints (at the applicant’s expense) taken by an official LiveScan agency.
- Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial employment (The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
- For positions requiring a valid California driver’s license, proof of insurability is required.
- Applicants who are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act and require accommodations for completing the application process, testing (if required for position), or the interview, please notify the Human Resources Office.
- A copy of this announcement will be provided in Braille to visually impaired applicants upon request.
Commitment to Diversity
All applicants must have demonstrated cultural competency and sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff.
Cancel RTF Policy
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO RE-OPEN, RE-ADVERTISE, DELAY OR CANCEL FILLING THIS POSITION.
THIS RECRUITMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL FUTURE VACANCIES.
EEO Statement
Rio Hondo College is committed to employing qualified administrators, faculty and staff members who are dedicated to student success. The Board recognizes that diversity in the academic environment fosters cultural awareness, promotes mutual understanding and respect, and provides suitable role models for all students. The Board is committed to hiring and staff development processes that support the goals of equal opportunity and diversity, and provide equal consideration for all qualified candidates.
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