Job Description

Whatcom Community College welcomes applications for the Director for Financial Aid position. The Director for Financial Aid provides leadership and administration of the federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and services at Whatcom Community College. This position provides administrative leadership and oversight for effective delivery of financial aid programs and establishes, recommends, and administers policies and procedures for the Financial Aid Office. The Director for Financial Aid is responsible for the daily supervision of all financial aid grants, work study, loans, scholarships, and various special targeted funding programs. Reporting to the Vice President for Student Services, the Director for Financial Aid is responsible for compliance to relevant state and federal regulations while maintaining high quality customer service and coordination through collaborative efforts across the division and the campus, while building a welcoming and inclusive campus community. The Director is also responsible for administering the student management system ctcLink financial aid operations and supporting these functions and activities. The Director works closely with multiple departments in implementing and evaluating plans and initiatives to support Whatcom Community College’s diverse student population.

A successful candidate will...

• Lead and manage a proactive, accessible, and student-centered financial aid experience for all students.
• Lead and administer innovative financial aid, award, and disbursement practices.
• Collaborate with a variety of departments across campus.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion practices throughout the financial aid process.

Responsibilities

Director for Financial Aid Administration:

• Direct review, awarding, and disbursements of financial aid (including grants, scholarships, special programs, work study, and loans) to students; perform and supervise all related aspects.
• Manage application processing and financial aid packaging. Oversee the monitoring of ongoing student eligibility including satisfactory academic progress (SAP) standards, professional judgment, petition processing, withdrawal, federal return of Title IV funds, state and institutional refund processes and repayment processing. Oversee all Title IV US Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications.
• Administer and supervise the appeals process for SAP standards and special circumstances. Oversee appeals committee and appeal guidelines and notification process, counsel students on available options.
• Maintain accuracy of financial aid reporting and error report resolution such as National Student Clearinghouse, SBCTC, iPEDS, WAOL, QARS and other related systems; compile and submit statistical reports.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate the application intake and tracking process for proper documentation of all awards for audit trail; maintain fund control records in accordance with funding level limitations.
• Complete federal, state, and institutional reports including applications for federal funding and reports the expenditures of funds. Coordinate internal reconciliation efforts and report to reviewing entities, including (but not limited to) auditors, program reviewers, and accreditation teams.
• Support financial aid literacy workshops, new student orientation, advising, and financial aid outreach activities and programs.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the college’s implementation of PeopleSoft practices. Plan and perform staff training for PeopleSoft, provide demonstrations and training to employees and students on functionality of the Financial Aid portal.
• Collaboratively develop written instructions, publications, and training materials that effectively and meaningfully convey policies, procedures, guidelines, and resources. Develop consumer information materials in both written format and on the web site to highlight various resources, outline required procedures, and streamline complex processes.
• Provide direct financial aid guidance and problem resolution for students and parents. Develop, facilitate, and evaluate financial aid and literacy presentations and participate in outreach activities and events.

Director for Financial Aid Supervision:

• Train, supervise, and evaluate full-time and part-time hourly employees in accordance with state and federal laws, policies, and procedures. Provide staff training and professional development opportunities.
• Evaluate performance, motivate employees to achieve optimal performance, support internal procedures and controls, and provide opportunities for training and professional development.
• Lead and facilitate regular staff meetings and cross-training opportunities, share information as appropriate, promote improved service and efficiency, as well as encourage and inspire teamwork.

Director for Financial Aid Operations:

• Lead the development and evaluation of equity-based policies, procedures, and practices; work closely with key offices to ensure successful entry and onboarding experiences for diverse student populations.
• Represent departmental operations in various state, college, and community meetings, committees, and task forces; participate in campus committee governance.
• Lead and support the development of departmental service improvement plans and student learning outcomes. Integrate diversity, inclusion, and equity in all communication associated with admission and registration services and practices.
• Work closely with Assessment and Institutional Research to provide routine and specialized statistical reports, as well as financial aid trends and projections.
• Develop, manage, and evaluate annual operating and revenue budgets using equity-minded principles and practices. Ensure expenditures are in accordance with relevant guidelines.
• Participate in resource development and grant writing as needed and appropriate.
• Perform other duties as assigned or delegated by the Vice President for Student Services.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, finance, student affairs, counseling, communications, or other closely related field from an accredited institution.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, finance, student affairs, counseling, communications, or other closely related field from an accredited institution.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Federal needs analysis methodology and financial management practices; proficiency with verification and student eligibility criteria using computerized software.
• Demonstrated proficiency in all areas of Title IV programs and compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Innovative and inclusive leader with three (3) or more years of increasingly responsible experience in administering and evaluating one or more of the following areas: finance, financial aid, admissions, or registration.
• Demonstrated experience working in a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender/sexuality, and ethnic backgrounds and identities.
• Demonstrated experience in recruiting, supervising, and evaluating staff.
• Ability to develop, implement, analyze and use assessment of program and learning outcomes.
• Ability to use a personal computer, Microsoft Office products and database programs.
• Excellent verbal, listening, writing, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills.

Salary and Appointment:

• This is a 12 month, full-time Administrative/Exempt position. Exempt from Washington State civil service law with an annual salary based upon a range of $75,000 - $82,000 depending on experience.
• Per Governor Inslee's Proclamation 21-14, state employees must be fully vaccinated. Please note that any offer of employment is contingent upon you providing verification of your vaccine status, having an approved medical accommodation, or having an approved religious accommodation. No start date will be approved until you have either verified your vaccine status or have an approved accommodation.

Benefit Package:

• The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance and a retirement plan.

*Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:

• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.

• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• For guaranteed consideration, application packets should be received by Monday, July 25 at 5:00pm. Position open until filled.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Letter of application detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Diversity statement that demonstrates a commitment to pluralism and the ability to support a diverse workplace and educational environment.
• Current resume.
• Unofficial transcripts for all earned degrees; official transcripts are required prior to the official start date.
• List of five recent professional references with contact information.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $75,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

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