Financial Aid Director - Higher Ed. jobs in Washington

Saint Martin’s University and the Department of Financial Aid are fully committed to creating a accessible, supportive environment and an experience that recognizes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging as integral components of workplace success.

Applicants whose work incorporates a global perspective of diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and a demonstrated commitment to issues of diversity in higher education are encouraged to apply.

This position works closely with students and their families in determining eligibility for financial aid to assist with their education expenses. This person is also responsible for the development of an annual plan for distribution of the financial aid resources of the University; management of financial aid policies and procedures; and gathering, maintaining, and distributing essential financial aid data. The Director is the chief financial aid administrators and is responsible to interface with Federal and State agencies for the administration of a comprehensive financial aid program for the University.

E SS E NTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Functions & Responsibilities - E s s e ntial functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following representative duties, knowledge, and skills. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and duties performed by incumbents of this position. Employees are required to be in attendance and prepared to begin work at their assigned work location on the specified days and hours. Factors such as regular attendance at the job are not routinely listed in job descriptions, but are an essential function. Essential duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, the following.

• P l ans , supervises, and evaluates the financial aid operations of the University.
• M a int a ins the integrity of the financial aid recordkeeping process.
• P e rfor m s fiduciary function as it relates to job responsibilities.
• Maintain s an office environment that promotes student learning and the development of high quality customer service.
• Supervises the preparation and submission of institutional, state, and federal reports.
• D e velops and implements policies and procedures designed to maximize processing of financial aid.
• M a int a ins accountability for internal and external audits related to financial aid; responds to audit inquiries; participates in resolving audit issues in cooperation with the University controller’s office.
• D e velops and maintains collaborative relationships with appropriate University departments.
• E xercises professional judgment in the review of all appeals.
• Ensure compliance with t h e Return of Title IV (R2T4) process.
• S e rve s on University committees/councils.
• S upports the enrollment management efforts of the University.
• Coordinate the awarding , disbursement, and reconciliation of all federal and state aid as well as scholarships/grants in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations and policies.
• Wor ks collaboratively with Compliance Manager/IT staff to make programming changes to meet regulatory requirements and to provide constant improvements to decrease manual processing and reduce processing time.
• Wor ks with local high schools by conducting workshops for students and parents and being a resource person to answer questions on financial aid.
• Participates in professional development activities to maintain currency of knowledge in the specific area of responsibility and matters related to Student Services.
• A b ility to travel locally for work related activities such as meetings.
• P a rtners with Admissions to award Institutional Merit and Scholarships to students
• P a rtners with University Advancement to manage/award Restricted and Endowed Foundation scholarships.
• Responsibl e for coordinating, documenting, and implementing all unit action planning, outcomes assessment, and institutional effectiveness efforts within the scope of administrative supervision.
• Design and deploy an active training program for staff in financial aid and admissions to strengthen the overall service to students.
• Mon it ors and promotes progress toward meeting the goals and objectives of the University’s Equity Update Report.
• A c ts in accordance with University policies and procedures.
• P e rfor m s other duties as assigned.

COMPETENCIES

• E f fective oral communication with constituents and the public in a variety of outreach opportunities.
• E f fective written communication in a variety of formats.
• H a ve and communicate understanding of state and federal financial aid policies and procedures.
• E xpertise in statistics and the collection, organization, and presentation of statistical data.
• E f fective and professional management of staff and student employees
• E f fective and organized budget and office management.
• A b ility to foster and maintain a high level of customer service and total quality management.
• A b ility to work in a stressful, fast-paced environment and with multiple projects occurring simultaneously.
• A b ility to work effectively and collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues across the University, and alumni.
• M ust be supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education.
  

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Bachelor’s degree required in an area related to higher education administration, student personnel services, Business Administration, or other closely related majors. Master’s preferred.
• Minimum of four years’ experience in a college or university financial aid office is required; management experience in a comprehensive financial aid office is highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of the PowerFaids/PowerCampus Systems is highly desirable, experience with a Financial Aid Software System is required.
• Experience with Federal and State Financial Aid Software is required.
• Experience in the use of Microsoft Office with particular emphasis on the database and spreadsheet applications required.
• Successfully pass a criminal background check.

P HYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Physical demands include:

• M oves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• A b ility to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• O perates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
• R e ading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting.
• Learning and comprehending.
• R e quires visual concentration on detail.
• M a nual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding.
• M ust be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer.
• M a y occasionally be required to deal with distraught people.
• M ust be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions.
• M ust be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions.
  

SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY

Established in 1895, Saint Martin’s University is the educational mission of Saint Martin’s Abbey, a Catholic Benedictine monastery, whose members pray, work, and live together on the University campus. The physical beauty of Saint Martin’s 300-acre campus reflects the rich intellectual and spiritual nature of its presence in the Pacific Northwest.

Essential features of University life are animated by its Benedictine identity and its participation in the centuries-old traditions of Catholic intellectual thought and the search for truth.

Thus, the University honors students and guides them towards achieving academic excellence. Superior teaching is the expected norm. Rooted in the long tradition of the liberal arts, the University curriculum cultivates creativity and the ability to communicate and pursue ideas; critical thinking and independent inquiry; academic proficiency; the formation of sound ethical judgments; and service to humanity.

Reflecting the Benedictine virtue of hospitality, the University welcomes and, really, seeks students and employees not only from the Pacific Northwest, but also from other parts of the nation and the world at its main and extension campuses. Saint Martin’s treasures persons of all ages, religions, and nationalities as it encourages cognizance of diverse viewpoints and an appreciation of all cultures.