Details
Posted: 25-Jun-22
Location: Pine City, Minnesota
Salary: Open
Location: Pine City
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Employment Condition: At Will
Job Description:
POSITION PURPOSE
As part of Pine Technical and Community College's commitment to student success and ongoing institutional effectiveness, this position is responsible for developing, implementing, and coordinating financial aid services linked to retention-based outreach and student success initiatives to a diverse student population, specifically first generation, low income, and historically underrepresented.
The primary purpose of this professional position is to serve as the technical expert and resource to students, parents, faculty, staff, and outside constituents regarding various financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and regulations. This position will have an extensive understanding of state and financial aid rules and regulations to help students maximize their financial aid eligibility. This position will provide, on a daily basis, clear, understandable guidance to the Student Success team on what additional information is needed to determine financial aid eligibility and awards. To do this, the Coordinator will attend annual trainings and Minnesota State work groups to maintain current information on accurate financial aid related verifications, complete data/grant reporting, provide guidance to students to resolve problems and overcome barriers under limited supervision with an emphasis on professionalism and customer service. This position will lead and coordinate the verification process, MN State Grant programs, educational loan programs, and PTCC student employment programs. The position maintains professional relationships with students, college departments, and faculty and has knowledge of the college's goals and objectives so that office activities are consistent with the overall educational program. Immediate supervision is provided by a high-level administration through the Director of Student Success.
PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS
1. Interpret and manage local, state, and federal financial aid programs, loans, grants, and scholarships in to department/institutional procedures and processes.
- Serve as a professional/technical resource for students, parents, faculty, staff, and outside constituents to provide information and resources regarding the various financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and regulations.
- Coordinate processing of financial aid application data received from the U.S. Department of Education, ensure applications are moving through the tracking process promptly, and direct the financial aid verification process in collaboration with PTCC Academic/Financial advisors and Director of Student Success.
- Manage funds, by monitoring, reconciling, and reporting to Minnesota Office of Higher Education (MOHE) programs.
- Administer the federal, state, and private loan programs.
- Complete U.S. Department of Education and college required verifications. Use administrative authority to make required corrections to student financial aid applications and submit data to the U.S. Department of Education for processing.
- Provide expert information to resolve financial aid related issues escalated by Student Success team members.
2. Develop PTCC's financial aid department goals and work plans for the Student Success team that fosters a holistic approach to student success and retention initiatives.
- Coordinate professional development for faculty and staff on local, state, and federal financial aid literacy and general updates.
- Champion updating internal processes and procedures involved with financial aid and regulations.
- Award financial aid to students based on federal, state, and institution standards by reviewing application results. Coordinate communication of financial aid awards to students.
- Develop, prepare, and disseminate publication information to promote educational loan programs using new and innovative methods.
- Maintain detailed knowledge of ISRS, ImageNow, and other important sources of information to guide students through complicated, unique financial aid processes.
- Develop resources and publications to enhance PTCC's Student Success—Financial Aid Literacy for internal and external stakeholders.
- Lead and collaborate on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Max-Time Frame processes with the campus Registrar and Student Success Coordinator.
3. Conduct institutional research to strengthen financial aid literacy and financial aid data analysis for all PTCC stakeholders.
- Develop research methodologies, select, gather, and analyze appropriate financial aid/data elements.
- Develop financial aid reports for college administrators, state and federal agencies, and internal/external stakeholders.
- Research, forecast, and monitor funding needs of PTCC financial aid programs. Based on the research, make recommendations to leadership on the appropriate level of funding needs for the various PTCC financial aid programs.
- Conduct outreach activities at surrounding high schools to connect with and educate our high school partners and surrounding community members about financial aid and the importance of higher education.
4. Provide leadership and holistic financial aid support involved with special PTCC academic programming and student employment.
- Manage student caseload for special PTCC academic programming (i.e. Department of Corrections, etc.) and student employment eligibility processes for the college.
- Create, request, monitor, reconcile and report state and federal work-study funds.
- Assist college personnel in developing meaningful student employment opportunities that align with PTCC's mission and values.
- Provide accurate, timely information and guidance to students based on their unique station, scenario or circumstance all while maintaining the highest level of customer service.
5. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth function of the college and maintain the reputation of the college as a viable community partner.
- Serve as PTCC Student Success liaison to represent the college on internal and external committees and task forces.
- Complete tasks in a timely manner and keep knowledge of college safety rules, regulations, and policies.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities:
This position requires detailed knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and Minnesota State financial aid regulations—including local grants and scholarship programs. In addition, the position must interpret current policies and procedures relative to complex issues that affect others and recommend innovative solutions. Using ImageNow, Minnesota State student database system – ISRS, Microsoft Word, PowerBi, Excel, Outlook, ability to identify and address problems, ability to assist in both long-range and short-range planning, ability to prepare and present information one-on-one or to an audience. This position requires highly developed human relations and emotional intelligence skills, sensitivity to all facets of a technical and college community, excellent technical skills and the ability to develop and interpret computer-generated documents and reports.
This position requires analytical and problem-solving skills along with a high level of attention to detail and organizational skills. Research and evaluation methodologies sufficient to determine the effectiveness of programs. Excellent written and oral presentation skills are imperative to effectively showcase and disseminate complex financial aid rules and regulations to stakeholders with an emphasis on interpersonal communication.
Knowledge of, and experience in, financial aid office functions and student success retention-based initiatives are needed including detailed knowledge of federal financial aid regulations and other federal and state educational laws. Independent and critical thinking work habits are essential along with the ability to get work done accurately and efficiently with frequent interruption and a large caseload. Ability to work in a team to accomplish the task(s) at hand.
This position requires the ability to perform duties with minimal supervision and must make appropriate decisions that enhance the student experience and institutional benchmarks. This position requires the ability to implement the goals and objectives of the Financial Aid Office so the programs are administered consistently with the College's educational programs and Business Office. This position requires the ability to compile and analyze accurate data to be used in reports. This position also requires skills in the areas of interpretation of information, computation, ability to work well under pressure, and deal with people in a professional manner. In this position, human relations and managerial skills are of equal importance to technical skills.
Requires professional specialized skills to conduct and continually improve processes and efficiencies with awareness of many immediate effects on customer satisfaction (students).
The ability to handle multiple priorities, champion confidentiality, lead others and be innovative and creative to solve problems are essential. Ability to create and meet deadlines, coordinating and managing competing demands and priorities to ensure desired results.
Required Qualifications:
- Baccalaureate Degree in a related field (or Baccalaureate degree in progress) (i.e. Counseling, Psychology, Communication, Business, Human Resources, Public Administration, Social Work, Education, or Sociology) or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Two or more years of professional-level experience with detailed knowledge of financial aid rules and regulations, project management, and the ability to interpret and understand new rules, regulations, and statutes.
- Ability to collect, analyze, and assess data with record management and/or U.S. government reporting tools, and make effective recommendations to enhance continuous improvement and efficiency.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills to communicate complex concepts and guidance to students. The ability to fluently speak, read, write, understand and respond to a variety of spoken and written communications as well as effectively communicate policies, procedures and information in a positive, professional and courteous manner.
- Excellent interpersonal and customer relation skills to understand and interpret complex information providing accurate and complete guidance professionally and courteously to diverse cultures and populations.
- Technical computer skills are sufficient to create word processing documents, spreadsheets, data collection, and create reports.
- Detail oriented self-starter, extremely accurate with the ability to manage a large caseload and a variety of tasks simultaneously in a collaborative environment.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master's degree (or Master's degree in progress) in Counseling, Student Development/Affairs, Psychology, Business, Human Resources, Public Administration, Social Work, Education, Sociology, or similar discipline
- Experience with ISRS, ImageNow, and Microsoft Office software.
- Three or more years of executing a holistic approach of appreciative and/or financial aid advising to diverse populations with an emphasis on student success and retention.
- Extensive knowledge of state and federal regulatory laws such as the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and MN Governmental Data Privacy Act (MGDPA).
- Knowledge of Pine Technical and Community College academic programs and requirements and their direct relationship to admissions.
- Five or more years of experience within higher education financial aid/student services, preferably in the Minnesota State College and Universities system.
- Self-starter and an ability to function with minimal direction. Ability to collaborate with team members between departments to execute initiatives.
- Proven knowledge of Title IV regulations and programs.
- Ability to speak another language in addition to English.
Other Requirements:
In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State's vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check.
About:
Learn more about Pine Technical and Community College at http://www.pine.edu.
Benefits Info:
Desired Start Date: 08/15/2022
