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Program Specialist 2 - Financial Aid

Who We Are
Tacoma Community College ( TCC ) is built on the traditional homelands of the Puyallup Tribe. The Puyallup people have lived on and stewarded these lands since the beginning of time and continue to do so today. Our college commits to uplifting the voices, experiences, and histories of the Indigenous people of this land and beyond. TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community and we strive to become an anti-racist institution. We are examining racism, both implicit and explicit, as a system of domination, and we seek to identify and abolish it in our policies, procedures, and practices.
 
As the winner of the 2020 Association of Community College Trustees Equity Award for the entire Pacific Region, TCC is committed to recruiting faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally underserved populations at TCC including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, the college seeks applicants who will intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and who recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community. 
 
Since opening its doors in 1965, Tacoma Community College has provided a high-quality, affordable education to more than 500,000 people. Serving Tacoma, Gig Harbor, the Key Peninsula, online students, and the women’s prisons, TCC educates about 11,000 students annually. Many TCC students are the first in their families to attend college, 58 percent receive financial aid, 13 percent have children, 42 percent are students of color, and 48 percent work while attending school. TCC has multiple campuses: the main campus is in Tacoma, another is in Gig Harbor, and two additional sites are maintained at the Washington Corrections Centers for Women.  

Position Summary
Provide financial aid services to students by reviewing and evaluating financial aid applications, determining financial need, and packaging financial aid awards. Provide consultation and direct customer service to students, staff, and faculty. Communicate detailed financial aid and program information to internal and external customers. This position reports to the Director of Financial Aid Services.

Essential Functions
  • Review and evaluate financial aid applications, determine financial aid eligibility for federal and state aid, package awards and utilize professional judgment.
  • Analyze and evaluate files by applying extensive knowledge of regulations for determining eligibility and need based on application data, FAFSA comments, federal database matches and academic progress requirements. 
  • Prevent over-awards of financial aid by ensuring timely and accurate review of all aid types prior to awarding need-based or other financial resources.
  • Counsel students by providing excellent customer service, demonstrating empathy, listening attentively to questions and concerns, responding professionally to hostility, communicating clearly with native and non-native English speakers, and exercising professionalism and discretion in all communications and actions. 
  • Provide consultation and directly assist students in resolving eligibility issues and application difficulties in all financial aid programs.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of student files and records per FERPA guidelines.
  • Support various office functions by providing direct assistance including answering phones, emails, and questions from walk-in students and the general public in an accurate and timely manner. Provide clear explanations of complex and technical information.
  • May review various types of appeals submitted by students, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress, Time Limit, Income Revisions, and make necessary professional judgment decisions
  • May conduct outreach events to educate students and the about financial aid and scholarship programs.
  • Provide assistance at front counter during scheduled shifts and when needed.
  • May assist with and/or manage loan processing, Pell/COD processing, office budget, SAP (satisfactory academic progress) processing, state aid processes and reporting, Return of Title IV funds (R2T4), disbursements, specialized financial aid processing (Bachelor’s, Study Abroad, Second Chance Pell, consortiums), Scholarships (Foundation, State and external), WorkForce awards, Veterans office.  
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support the team in achieving its service objectives

Minimum Qualifications 
  • Associates degree from accredited college or university.
  • Two years’ experience working in a financial aid office, or related office experience.
  • OR Bachelor’s degree and financial aid office experience may substitute for the two years’ experience. 
  • Intermediate word processing, spreadsheet, and database software skills (Microsoft Office preferred).
  • Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience understanding financial aid eligibility requirements and packaging financial aid
  • PeopleSoft experience.
  • Experience working in higher education

Conditions of Employment
  • Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.
  • Must not be in default of student loan or owe a Title IV repayment.

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate
  • Excellent customer service skills; including building and maintaining internal/external customer satisfaction.
  • Ability to research and pay close attention to detail.
  • Ethics, integrity, confidentiality and sound professional judgment.
  • An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
  • The ability to work efficiently and effectively in a detailed and deadline oriented high-pressure environment.
  • Experience working with diverse populations and providing complex services. 
  • Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, using language that is appropriate to both the complexity of the topic and the knowledge and understanding of the audience. 
  • Excellent organizational skills interpersonal skills.
  • Commitment to maintaining strict confidentiality.Detail oriented; innovative, accountable and poised in fast paced team oriented environment.
  • Ability to be accurate, timely, and very detail oriented.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Ability to multi-task and prioritize work flow with multiple high priority deadlines.

Application Materials & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following: 
  1. Tacoma Community College online application form.
  2. Resume and cover letter - In your cover letter, describe how your background and experience align with the responsibilities for this position.
  3. Unofficial copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.

Terms of Employment
This is a full-time classified position scheduled to work Monday through Friday during the academic year.  Summer schedule will be Monday through Thursday, 10-hour days.  Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet department needs and some evening/weekend hours may be required. The salary range $3,480 to $4,541 per month. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the division. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/ A collective bargaining agreement exists and membership in the Washington Federation of State Employees or payment of a membership fee is available anytime upon employment. The layoff unit for this position is “All Other WFSE Classified”. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by National Student Clearinghouse.  International degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency. 
 
Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, 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). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, 253-566-5055; Dr. Davi Kallman, the Section 504 Officer, building 7, 253-566-5157. Tacoma Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.  

 Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma, WA 98466