The Opportunity: Skagit Valley College is accepting applications for a Program Specialist 3 in the Financial Aid Office. The nature of the work is professional, and requires an ability to interpret and work in accordance of federal, state and college rules, policies, and regulations. The position performs highly complex duties, and operates at the journey or fully qualified level. This position performs a wide variety of tasks in support of the Financial Aid Office, including: coordinating one or more Financial Aid and/or scholarship programs; providing direct customer service to students, staff, and/or faculty; communicating detailed Financial Aid or program information to internal and external customers; reviewing applications; and awarding Financial Aid, all in compliance with federal, State and institutional policies and regulations.

In addition, the program specialist determines eligibility and awards financial aid based on individual student and family circumstances, and in accordance with federal and state regulations The Program Specialist 3 has campus-wide responsibility for the scholarship programs. The position manages, directs and coordinates all aspects of these two areas and performs specialized tasks, such as creating and analyzing reports, monitoring and reconciling scholarship expenditures, assisting with reporting requirements as well as analysis and decision-making related to the scholarship programs. These tasks ensure campus compliance to federal and state regulations. The scholarship specialist also provides training to Student Services staff and other departments based on specific training needs.

This is a full-time, Classified position working primarily from the Mount Vernon Campus, but requires occasional travel throughout the district. This position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid. The Program Specialist 3 works closely with students, faculty and staff to further the College's Mission, Vision, and Core Themes, consistent with the College's Guiding Principles.

About SVC: Established in 1926, Skagit Valley College is a comprehensive community college within the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) providing associates and bachelors degrees, as well as certificates, in high-quality academic transfer pathways, workforce training, basic education for adults, and lifelong learning opportunities. Our equity goals align with SBCTCs Vision statement; “Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities.”

SVC's commitment to equity and social justice drives our collective work to increase access to higher education, inspire student learning and achievement, and strengthen our diverse community. We embrace equity through our core themes of access, achievement, and community by pursuing the continuous examination and revision of norms, policies, and practices to foster the success of all.

SVC aspires to reflect the diverse racial, ethnic, and linguistic demographics in the district, particularly a growing Latinx population. As an emerging Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) SVC seeks equity minded leadership, faculty, and staff that are committed to inclusive practices and to diverse environments where students from all backgrounds can thrive via multidisciplinary collaboration and the implementation of an array of services. Candidates representing all aspects of diversity are encouraged to apply.

Mission: Skagit Valley College cultivates student learning and achievement; contributes to the educational, personal, and economic success of students; and promotes equitable and thriving communities.

Vision: The primary focus of Skagit Valley College is student-centered teaching and learning. We are committed to:

• Equitable student outcomes in access, achievement, and community;
• Our Guiding Principles;
• Decisions based on strategy and evidence;
• The development of our employees;
• A diverse and inclusive college community where everyone belongs.

The Location: Skagit Valley College is on the traditional and unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, especially on Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, Samish Indian Nation, Nooksack Indian Tribe and Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe. Located in a geographically diverse region between the dynamic metropolitan hubs of Seattle and Vancouver, BC, SVC is never far from world-class outdoor recreation, urban arts scenes, and local cultural events. SVC serves our local communities with a campus in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, and centers in Friday Harbor, a Marine Technology Center in Anacortes, and a Brewing Academy in Burlington.

Guiding Principles : Respect, Integrity, Open and Honest Communication, Collaboration,
and Compassion.

Did You Know: Skagit Valley College is an innovative community college committed to offering inclusive access to educational opportunities, supporting student achievement, and engaging our community. SVC is nationally known for learning communities and support for high impact teaching practices that improve the lives of our students. We are committed to creating student learning experiences that foster equity and diversity to strengthen our local and global communities. We practice a high degree of collaboration among faculty, staff, and administrators to lead initiatives that advance student success and strengthen our increasingly diverse district. We value student and colleague engagement in creating an equitable, diverse, innovative, learning-centered environment.

Skagit Valley College offers:

• An unrelenting focus on our mission to improve the lives of our students and to strengthen our diverse community.
• Support for innovative teaching, learning, and scholarship.
• Exciting opportunities for personal and career growth.
• Diverse cultural and environmental benefits of rural, suburban and urban lifestyles.
• Friendly, supportive, and diverse work environments.
• Excellent benefits including competitive leave packages and an array of health, dental, vision, and retirement plans to meet your current and future needs.

Program Specialization

• Coordinate all aspects of scholarship programs in compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies. Coordination includes, but is not limited to, in-depth knowledge of the program, assisting to establish, document and implement office procedures regarding the program and reconciliation of accounts.
• Advise students, faculty, staff, and other stakeholders regarding rules and regulations related to scholarship programs, and work independently to resolve student problems or issues.
• Anticipate problems or issues that may arise from changes to scholarship program requirements, and recommend action to avoid such problems or issues.
• Coordinate and collaborate with several departments that provide support services that assist students in overcoming obstacles and problems they encounter.
• Independently counsel students, recommend resolutions and provide a variety of options to students based on individual needs and circumstances regarding registration issues, payment and refunds, credit reviews, graduation, and financial aid.
• Provide technical assistance with processes related to registration, applying for financial aid, credit reviews, residency applications, and applying for graduation.
• Compile data from a variety of sources and prepare summary reports as directed; use specialized computer systems to effectively obtain and calculate data as well as create and develop reports; calculate and tabulate data in line with established formulas; post and balance accounts as required.

Customer Service

• Understand and independently articulate general program eligibility requirements (how "need" is determined, criteria for various grants, Federal Student Loans, and work-study), the application process, status and timelines;
• Provide excellent customer service by demonstrating empathy, listening attentively to questions and concerns, responding professionally to difficult and sometime argumentative customers, communicating clearly with native and non-native English speakers, and exercising professionalism and discretion in all communications and actions;
• Contribute as a member of the team with shared office duties including: filing, answering phones, emails, and questions from walk-in students and the general public in an accurate manner, providing clear explanations of complex and technical information;
• Counsel students and parents directly with regard to resolving eligibility issues and application difficulties in all Financial Aid programs, including processing of documents and making determination of additional information needed;
• Maintain confidentiality of student files and records in accordance with FERPA guidelines;
• Utilize the Customer Relations Management (CRM) system (TargetX), as well as the College's computerized applications.

General Financial Aid Processing

• Maintain a working knowledge of eligibility requirements for all aid programs administered by the office.

• Independently evaluate student files to ensure proper submission of required documents, accuracy of documents, and eligibility for financial aid funds

• In accordance with federal and state regulations, complete the Verification process for selected students, using submitted documentation that includes tax returns, verification worksheets, and other required documents

  • It is a requirement of this position to understand general IRS tax filing rules
  • The ability to read, interpret, and understand the layout and required items included on a tax return is also a requirement

• Through an independent evaluation of federal and state applications and documents submitted by students, apply specific policies and regulations to determine Financial Need, as defined by the Department of Education and the state, and offer students aid based on their eligibility.

• Conduct research using federal and state resources to resolve student eligibility issues, and evaluate continued eligibility based on federal, state, and college rules.
• Analyze and evaluate documentation submitted by students and submit corrections to the federal/state processor as needed

• Independently use Professional Judgement (as defined by ED) to make exceptions and change data elements included on the FAFSA /WASFA and in the students budget, based on student specific special circumstances or application errors based on documentation

• Assist with reviewing various types of appeals submitted by students, such as Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Maximum Timeframe, Revisions, etc., and make necessary professional judgment decisions.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree, equivalent education or higher, from a regionally accredited college and one (1) year of related experience OR equivalent education/experience.
• Two or more years' full-time experience, or equivalent part-time experience, working in a Financial Aid Office awarding aid and coordinating one or more specialized financial aid components, in a higher education setting.
• Two-years' experience and ability to work in accordance of policies, procedures and federal and state regulations;
• Strong technical computer skills, with competency in Microsoft Outlook and Office Suite, as well as student or customer database management systems;
• Understand general IRS tax filing rules;
• The ability to read, interpret, and understand the layout and required items included on a tax return.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in financial aid or working in an educational environment providing direct student service
• One-year experience working in a Washington State Community and Technical College setting in an office related to entry services, financial aid, finance, or other related field as a full-time employee, or equivalent experience as a part -time employee.
• One-year experience working with Federal and/or State Work Study programs
• Experience with database systems and federal databases and programs such as NSLDS, COD, and CPS Online
• Experience demonstrating attention to detail
• Demonstrated ability to to work independently, as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Experience with reconciliation of accounts.
• Bi-lingual in Spanish or Ukrainian

• Salary is based on Range 53, Step A, $4,602 per month with periodic increments to $6,046 per month. Starting salary may be dependent on education, qualifications, and experience. Salary and benefits are subject to change in accordance with legislative mandates and collective bargaining agreements.
• This position is eligible for overtime pay in accordance with the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• This is a union represented position subject to a collective bargaining agreement.
• Retirement, medical and insurance benefits are provided in accordance with state regulations. Additional information on benefits can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/hca/pebbhealthplan/compare.aspx.

Conditions of Employment:

• Prior to employment, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
  
  Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.
• In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Skagit Valley College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students.
• If hired you will be required to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. Citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.
• This classification is included in the classified staff bargaining unit, represented by the Washington Public Employees Association, WPEA.

Application Procedure:
To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the minimum qualifications and;
• Submit a complete application to the online recruitment system at www.skagit.edu that includes the following:

• The online application, which includes answers to all supplemental questions and contact information for at least three (3) professional references;
• A current resume; (Attachment: Resume)
• A cover letter addressing how your education and experience relate to the duties and responsibilities of the position (Attachment: Cover Letter).

In order to be considered for the position, you must complete the online application in full and attach the required supplemental documents. Failure to provide this information may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Application Deadline: Priority screening will begin after January 07, 2024. Applications received on or before this date will receive first consideration. Applications received after the screening date may be considered until the position is filled.

Please be aware that the College hiring authorities reserve the right to hire one or more candidates and may exercise the option to make a hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Only candidates selected to interview will be contacted.

Application Assistance: If you have questions about the position or require special accommodation, you may contact Human Resources at (360) 416-7794, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. SVC complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process may leave a TDD/TTY message at (360) 416-7718 by the application closing date. Information on SVC's Reasonable Accommodation policy can be found at OPPM 3040.

For questions regarding the online application system, you may call NEOGOV Applicant Tech Support at (855) 524-5627 from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time. For best results, apply using one of the following browsers supported by NEOGOV: Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and later versions of Internet Explorer.

SVC Annual Security Report : The U.S. Department of Education and the federal Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act require all colleges to provide information to current and prospective students and employees about campus safety policies, procedures, and statistics on certain crimes, including hate crimes, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking and sexual assault. We are required to report our campus security information and statistics in an Annual Security Report, which is updated annually each October. All prospective employees may obtain a copy of the Annual Security Report from the Human Resources Office by calling (360) 416-7794 or by accessing the Report at: https://www.skagit.edu/about/safety-security-parking/

Skagit Valley College is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all groups in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices.

Skagit Valley College provides a drug-free environment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity, pregnancy, genetic information, age, marital status, disability, honorably discharged veteran or military status in its programs and employment. For inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, contact Carolyn Tucker, Vice President of Human Resources/EEO, 360.416.7794 or carolyn.tucker@skagit.edu . For inquiries regarding sexual misconduct compliance, contact Title IX Coordinator, Sandy Jordan, 360.416.7923 or sandy.jordan@skagit.edu . Mailing address: 2405 E. College Way, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. All faculty and staff hired at Skagit Valley College are encouraged to embrace, continually support, and enhance diversity and equity on our campus and in our community. Annual Notice of Non-Discrimination.