Job Details

Organizational Description:

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships support the University by administering and/or coordinating all student financial aid programs at California State University, Fresno. The office is responsible for administering federal, state, institutional, and scholarship aid in excess for $230,000,000 annually to approximately 80% of the student population at California State University, Fresno.

Overview:

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office at Fresno State awards over $200 million annually to students. The office is responsible for adhering to federal, state, and campus policies and procedures for the processing of student aid. Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships, the Assistant Director will contribute to student educational success by managing the customer/student service areas of the Financial Aid and Scholarships office, which include the Student Center windows and Phone Center, providing information and guidance to students. The additional primary duties of this position is to serve as the liaison between Financial Aid and Student Accounts, and the calculations, processing and compliance for Return of Title IV Funds.

This is a full-time exempt position where times of more than a 40-hour workweek will be expected. This position is designated as a security-sensitive position and must successfully complete a background check. The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements as a condition of employment.

Position Summary:

• Maintain a current in-depth knowledge of all federal and state financial aid programs and regulations
• Work closely with the Director and Associate Director to develop, implement and maintain Business Guides of office processes
• Review the most difficult individual, group or organizational issues developing data driven decisions and recommendations in managing the Student Center windows and Phone Center to ensure excellent customer service to all stake holders
• Responsible for staffing/student assistant schedules of the Student Center windows and the Phone Center
• Provide communications and training to public service staff and student assistants to confirm they have the necessary information to assist students.
• Communicate important financial aid and scholarship information and deadlines to the Fresno State community.
• Act as the liaison between Student Accounts and Financial Aid for the purpose of resolving student account issues pertaining to financial aid, assist with reconciliation of financial aid programs, work with auditors during annual review, coordinate the awarding of all fee waivers and 3rd parting payments and resolve No Financial Aid Refund (NFR) holds.
• Responsible for calculations, processing, training and compliance of Return of Title IV Funds
• Work with Records staff to resolve enrollment reporting issues from the NSLDS error reports
• Assist with providing training, guidance and support in developing and maintaining knowledge and skills needed to effectively deliver programs and services.
• Evaluate business processes, make recommendations, and provide new solutions to increase efficiencies for the office.
• Analyze moderately complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• Maintain strict confidentiality if all student information in compliance with FERPA regulations.
• Assist the Director on special projects

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of a university financial aid office
• General knowledge of the policies, practices and activities of Student Services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned
• General knowledge of the principles, problems and methods of public administration, including organizational, personnel and fiscal management
• General knowledge of advanced statistical and research methods

Ability to:

• Ability to carry out very complex assignments without detailed instructions
• Advise students individually or in groups on varied and complex matters
• Determine the appropriate course of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals and groups in personal interactions of a sensitive nature
• Reason logically and analyze and solve organizational and operating problems of one or several program areas
• Plan, coordinate and initiate actions necessary to implement administrative or group decisions or recommendations
• Analyze and define complex organizational, policy or procedural problems, collect and evaluate data, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action
• Understand the roles and responsibilities of others and to gauge relationships accordingly by taking into account the variety of the interrelationships, motivations and goals of the members of the organization served
• Establish and maintain effective, cooperative and harmonious working relationships in circumstances which involve the denial of requests or the necessity to persuade others to accept a different point of view

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degreefrom a regionally accredited college or university
• Equivalent to 4 years of professional experience in advising, counseling or guiding students in financial aid or closely related field
  • A master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience
  • A doctorate degree and the appropraite internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job-related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling

Preferred Skills:

• Master's Degree in a related field of study from a regionally accredited college or university
• Experience with PeopleSoft Student
• Experience in a leadership role in financial aid
• Supervisory experience
• Experience with calculation of Return of Title IV Funds
• Thorough knowledge of financial aid technology in a higher education setting
• Thorough knowledge of computer software, word-processing, PowerPoint, excel, and databases
• Thorough knowledge of effective principals, practices, and techniques related to motivating and leading employees

Ability to:

• Apply effective problem-solving skills demonstrating sound judgment
• Work effectively in a team-based environment with flexibility to adjust priorities quickly
• Assess, present and evaluate training needs to meet organizational goals
• Present clear and concise information both orally and in written form
• Provide outstanding customer service
• Work effectively with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio­economic backgrounds