BELLINGHAM TECHNICAL COLLEGE
invites applications for the position of:
Financial Aid Assistant IV
OPENING DATE: | 06/27/2024 |
PRIORITY CONSIDERATION BY: | 07/22/2024 5:00 PM PST |
Description
Bellingham Technical College invites applications for one full-time, regular classified position as Financial Aid Assistant IV for the Student Financial Resources office. Position is anticipated to begin about September 3rd, 2024. This position reports to the Associate Director of Student Financial Resources.
The Financial Aid Assistant IV serves as the primary point of contact for students and staff by providing direct customer service at the front desk during business hours; responds to inquiries regarding office policies and procedures in person, by phone and email; assists students with all aspects of applying for financial aid and maintaining eligibility; and may coordinate one or more financial aid or scholarship programs or operational processes. This position requires strong customer service skills, utilizes higher level technical skills while exercising independent judgment in applying financial aid regulations, and under general supervision, performs a variety of more complex clerical tasks.
Bellingham Technical College is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and staff who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a successful and supportive working and learning environment for a diverse college student and employee population with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.
Position Duties & Responsibilities
- Serve as primary contact for students, staff and other agencies via phone, email, and in-person customer service at the front desk; provide information regarding program policies; perform a variety of public relations functions;
- Research the status of student financial aid applications and answer student questions and concerns regarding financial aid and Workforce funding awards and issues;
- Thoroughly review and accept student documents, scan and file documents in an electronic filing system, and update and maintain student records;
- Assist students and families with FAFSA/WASFA application completion, answer questions regarding required contributors, tax information, and consent;
- With minimal direction, make decisions relative to areas of assigned responsibility;
- Provide input regarding policies and procedural decisions that pertain to area of responsibility;
- Verify eligibility for various awards with local, state, or federal sources;
- Generate reports and conduct reconciliation activities on a monthly basis;
- Conduct data entry for Workforce grant programs and student tracking;
- Build student profiles for scholarship processing and post award amounts;
- Perform more complex word processing and data entry tasks;
- Operate standard office equipment such as PC's, calculators, FAX, copy machine, and scanners;
- Provide excellent customer service by listening attentively, responding professionally, demonstrating empathy, effectively managing difficult communications, and exercising professionalism and confidentiality in all communications;
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
- High school graduation or equivalent AND minimum three years of applicable experience such as problem solving, managing projects and deadlines, strong computer skills, and customer service.
OR
- Associates degree or higher AND minimum one year of applicable experience such as problem solving, managing projects and deadlines, strong computer skills, and customer service.
OR
- Education and experience equivalent to one of the two requirements listed above.
Preferred Qualifications:
- One year of work experience in a financial aid setting;
- Associates Degree or higher;
- Experience using computer applications such as PeopleSoft, Banner, or SBCTC Legacy systems.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
The knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below represent the characteristics and essential performance expectations of the position. Applicants do not necessarily need to enter the position with all of these knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Knowledge of:
- Program, and college policies and procedures;
- Working knowledge of general office equipment;
- Applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
Skill:
- Strong computer skills, and accurate computerized data entry using the college's systems/programs including word processing, database management, and developing spreadsheets;
- Strong team building skills;
- Strong organization skills;
- Skill in and accuracy with detail work, filing documents, and proofreading skills;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Confidentiality and professionalism;
- Exercising independent judgment in gathering, arranging, and evaluating, diversified data.
Ability to:
- Work independently and as a part of a team;
- Communicate in a positive manner with diverse populations of students;
- Effectively diffuse highly emotional incidents;
- Exercise problem solving skills and complete detailed work including mathematical computation duties with a high degree of accuracy;
- Perform job tasks using a variety of computer systems and electronic records, with or without accommodation;
- Position oneself for long periods of time;
- Utilize organizational skills and manage a high-volume workload.
Physical Work Environment:
Shared office setting which requires the ability to position self and operate a computer for long periods of time during the work shift; Regular keyboarding and using a computer mouse or equivalent assistive technology; Frequent need for oral, written, and auditory communication; Ability to position self and move up to 10 pounds with or without accommodation; Working in an open office environment with frequent interruptions and distractions.
Supplemental Information
Compensation, Benefits and Work Schedule:
Effective July 1, 2024, the salary is in accordance with the negotiated agreement with the Bellingham Education Support Team (BEST), Range 7, $4,067 per month ($23.37 per hour, $48,804 annual), with annual increments to $5,114 per month ($29.39 per hour, $61,368 annual) after five years of BTC experience in this position.
Leave is subject to the BEST negotiated agreement which expires June 30, 2026. This position receives 8 hours per month of sick leave and starts with 10.67 hours per month (16 days per year) of vacation leave, 24 hours of personal leave and 12 paid state/college holidays per calendar year. The vacation and personal leave are available after successful completion of a 180 worked day probationary period. Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability; a retirement benefits package, with choice between the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or 3, up to five days of bereavement leave, depending on relative, up to 5 days birth/adoption leave, military leave per RCW 38.40.060 and paid civil/jury duty. Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in a medical Flexible Spending plan, Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan, or Health Savings Account; Dependent Care Assistance; auto and homeowners insurance discounts, employee only tuition waiver assistance; and two voluntary investment (not matched) programs - TIAA (403b) or the State Deferred Compensation (457) plan.
The regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may be scheduled during the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. work day; schedule could vary, especially around quarter start and end and peak dates, and may require some overtime hours. The position will be expected to work onsite full-time.
Application Procedures and Deadline:
Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at http://www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on July 22, 2024 for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. You will be contacted if selected for an interview. At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visa's.
Required Online Application Materials:
- Completed Online BTC Employment Application
- Online Supplemental Questions
Examination Requirements:
All applicants are required to complete the online Supplemental Questions, which will be scored. Each supplemental question must have an answer to be scored. Be sure to repeat information in a supplemental question if it is required by more than one question. Software such as Microsoft Office Software, and/or other examinations may be administered for finalists.
Bargaining Unit:
The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Support Team (BEST).
Interviews are anticipated to be held between 8/6/24-8/8/24.
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The application package and all materials submitted with it become the property of the college and will not be returned or considered for additional or future openings.
Mission: Bellingham Technical College provides student-centered, high-quality professional technical education for today's needs and tomorrow's opportunities.
Employment Eligibility Verification: Bellingham Technical College employs only United States citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the Department of Homeland Security.
Non Discrimination/Equal Opportunity: Bellingham Technical College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All Inquiries regarding compliance with access, equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resources, Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225; (360) 752-8354; email hr@btc.edu.
Disability Accommodations: Upon request, accommodations are available to persons with disabilities for the application process. Contact Human Resources at (360) 752-8354; email hr@btc.edu.
Agency Bellingham Technical College, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
Phone 360 752-8354 Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/btc
Job Number: 2024-0026 – Financial Aid Assistant IV