Financial Aid Advisor
Highline College

General Summary

Posting will be open until filled, priority screening for applications received by October 27, 2024.

Our college:
Founded in 1961, Highline College was the first community college to be established in King County and is one of 34 community and technical colleges here. More than 350,000 alumni have graduated from Highline over the years. Nestled between Seattle and Tacoma, we are located on the traditional village sites of the Muckleshoot, Puyallup, and many other Coast Salish tribes. We are proud of the diversity at Highline. At Highline we are proud of our diversity. 80% of enrollees are students of color and speak over 150 languages. We also have an active LGBTQ+ population.

Our Commitment:
Highline prioritizes diversity, equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and access for all students, staff, and faculty, which is evident in our Mission, Vision, and Values as well as our Land and Labor Acknowledgment. We are proud to be one of the most diverse colleges in the state and stand committed to the well-being of our global community. Those who come to our college bring unique personal experiences, beliefs, and perspectives and make us better. We strive to provide and highlight resources to support our students, staff, and faculty by fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. Highline offers a unique variety of affinity groups for employees to join including the Faculty and Staff of Color Group and LGBTQ+ Task Force.
We honor and value the dignity of all individuals and encourage all qualified individuals of diverse backgrounds to apply.

Benefits:
Highline College offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes excellent medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement Systems. Additionally, we offer ample paid time off, as well as hybrid work opportunities for many positions.

Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Advisor independently completes routine and non-routine processes with a high level of efficiency and accuracy, and explains processes to students, staff and the public. This position is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of a program(s) including pertinent regulatory guidelines from primary source documents, as well as institutional and internal procedures. The position provides training for staff, and makes policy recommendations.
Highline College is looking to fill key program roles in Return of Title IV, Unusual Enrollment History resolution, Verification 4 and 5 reporting, and Consortium Agreements, as well as other essential functions.

This position is exempt. After completing training, successful candidates will be eligible to work a hybrid schedule of on campus and remote in accordance with both college policy and office needs, currently 3 days on campus, 2 days remote. This position will cover the evening shift on campus, currently Tuesdays from 5-6pm.

Essential Tasks

Reporting directly to the Director of Financial aid, this position will:

• Provide consumer information regarding financial aid programs at the Financial Aid Customer Service Counter, entry services, workshops, appointments, over the telephone, by email, and on a drop in basis to students, staff, and external agencies;
• Manage the financial aid program and processes of Return of Title IV, Unusual Enrollment History, Verification reporting, Consortium Agreements, and other assigned programs;
• Perform full-service functions related to all aspects of the Financial Aid programs including, but limited to, determining eligibility for student financial aid programs, awarding aid, and reconciling Federal, State, and Institutional accounts;
• Determine and monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress status and update records accordingly;
• Counsel students, verify applicant data, determine financial need, and award financial aid funds;
• Provides advising about available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements and the application process to students and parents;
• Analyzes and evaluates financial aid eligibility for students;
• Provides relevant financial aid related support to students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with TRiO and BAS degree seeking students;
• Monitors financial aid progress and documentation for students. For students needing assistance completing their file, provides additional follow up advising as needed;
• Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided;
• Exercise professional judgement to determine if adjustments should be made; makes award adjustments and recalculates on less complex cases as appropriate;
• Review federal regulations and makes recommendations on office policy and procedures;
• Conducts financial aid workshops on and off campus and through Zoom;
• Assist the Director in completing federal, state, and institutional surveys and reports;
• Collaborates with multiple funding service providers.

Ability to:

• Ability to use computer-based Financial Aid Management systems such as PeopleSoft, Banner or FAM;
• Ability to accurately and efficiently complete a broad range of student aid processes and procedures without assistance;
• Ability to advise students on an individual or group basis on all aspects of financial aid;
• Ability to handle interpersonal interactions, including challenging students, parents and others;
• Ability to relate effectively with a wide diversity of students, faculty, staff and community members with sensitivity, tact, patience, and respect;
• Ability to use the Microsoft Office Suite effectively, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and OneNote;
• Ability to effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a wide range of individuals using the English language.

Required skills:

• Strong computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, MS Teams, and Outlook;
• Strong typing skills (minimum 40 words per minute);
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree; AND
• 2 years of financial aid or student funding experience.

Desired Qualifications

• 2 years of federal and state Financial Aid funding experience;
• Experience in returning federal and state financial aid funds;
• Ability to speak multiple languages, especially Spanish;
• Extremely strong typing skills (50+ words per minute);
• Experience with Washington state's ctcLink software program.

Supplemental Information

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.
APPLICATION PROCEDUREYour online application must include the following to be considered complete:1. A detailed resume that addresses the MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS of the position;2. A letter of application/cover letter (two-page maximum, recommended) that addresses your ability to meet the QUALIFICATIONS, and KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES for theposition;3. A one-page response to the Supplemental Question.CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:National Criminal Background Check may be required.APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/highlineNEED APPLICATION HELP?Should you have any difficulties uploading your documents or navigating the application process, please contact NEOGOV Technical Support at 1-855-524- 5627, Monday - Friday 6:00 AM to 6:00PM Pacific Time.HIGHLINE COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERHighline College is an equal opportunity employer. The College is committed to enhancing the diversity of our faculty and staff, as well as our student population. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientations, and gender identity diversity. We strongly encourage applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legal protected status.REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONSThe College complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants needing accommodations in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (206) 592-3812. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.TITLE IX POLICYHighline College complies with Title IX regulations. For details on our policies, see our website https://humanresources.highline.edu/faculty-and-staff/policies/title-ix/The College appointing authorities reserve the right and may exercise the option to make an employment decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process.

NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT

The college provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types).

The Title IX Coordinator, Danielle Slota, can be reached at (206) 592-3600 or DSlota@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, President's Office.

The 504 Coordinator, Jenni Sandler, can be reached at (206) 592-3474 or JSandler@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 25, 5th Floor.

The Chief Human Resources Officer, Melanie Lawson, can be reached at (206) 592-3320 or MLawson@Highline.edu. 2400 S. 240th St. Des Moines, WA 98198. Building 12, Human Resources.

You can receive this information in an alternate format by contacting Access Services (206) 592-3857; TTY (206) 870-4853.

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