Program Specialist 2 - Disbursements

Position Summary

This position helps advance the equity-centered missions of Green River College by delivering student financial aid advising to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities. Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid, this position provides expertise in program, guidance, and support for identified student populations to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals. In order to promote equitable student access and success, the incumbent will work with students to make financial aid processes transparent and help navigate/dismantle barriers to accessing aid (particularly those impacting students of color and other marginalized groups), as well provide information/referral for other funding sources and perform other task related to the administration and implementation of the student financial aid programs.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.

The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

Position Responsibilities

Financial Aid Responsibilities

• Understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success, an equity lens is applied to:
  • Analyzing incoming financial aid applications and documentation for eligibility based on applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations
  • Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria
  • Read, interpret, and implement institutional, state, and federal regulations
  • Determine eligibility and award financial aid based on policies and regulatory requirements while adhering to internal awarding policies and compliance regulations
  • Evaluate satisfactory academic progress and assist with academic appeal process
  • Special projects as assigned by director and assistant director
• Evaluate student data in multiple database systems, such as: cashiering, financial aid, registration, and government databases; analyze data for reasonableness and consistency with other information, contacting outside parties or students when necessary for clarification, making determinations as to how this affects student eligibility, adjusting the aid package and notifying students of changes

• Work closely with other disbursement team members, including other departments, to ensure that the disbursement timeline is met and the process is completed with agreed-upon frequency. Run and work appropriate reports and queries to resolve disbursement errors.
• Adjust and cancel aid based on student enrollment level as needed throughout each term. Notify students, as appropriate, to resolve any issues and keep students informed of their aid status. Work closely with awarders regarding conflicts in aid.
• Act as primary contact for third-party funding sources such as state and federal Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Set up student bookstore accounts and create cost estimates in accordance with FERPA requirements. Coordinate with Student Financials to resolve conflicts with third-party agencies.
• Act as primary contact for tribal funding sources. Provide needed support for indigenous and tribal-affiliated students in cooperation with the Indigenous Student Success Center. Complete Financial Need Analysis needed for students to receive tribal scholarships, in accordance with FERPA requirements.
• Oversee department purchasing card and reconcile transactions monthly. Support ordering of needed office supplies.
• Act as primary contact for consortium agreements. Work with students to receive necessary documents and verification of eligibility. Communicate with other institutions to coordinate processing of agreements. Confirm completion and continued eligibility for aid after end of term.
• Support initial review of incoming files to determine eligibility and prepare for awarding. Participate in review and processing of Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.

• Provide direct customer service through various formats including virtual, email, phone, and in-person, with excellent customer service skills focused on bringing racial equity and social justice equity lens.
• Exhibit cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in all interactions with students, faculty, staff and community members to who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities, and educational experiences.
• Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria, acknowledging and mitigating systemic barriers for first generation, undocumented, disabled, domestic violence-impacted and formerly justice-involved students.
• Counsel financial aid applicants on completion of complex application materials following federal and state guidelines, which may include interpretation and translation of unique, highly confidential and often complex circumstances. Understanding confidentiality can include immigration status, complex tax and income situations, and student and family barriers.
• Refer students and assist with funding options provided through state, federal, and other third-party agencies.
• Promote student engagement through campus involvement.
• Provide advocacy for historically underrepresented students.

• Participate in workshops, discussions, and learning opportunities regularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion (GDEC training opportunities, Diversity Educational Series, departmental trainings and discussions).
• Implement equity tools and strategies obtained through various training opportunities to daily work.
• Actively support, engage in, and work to advance Green River College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
• Other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and the college.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree or two years in customer service and/or higher education
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to evaluate aid applications
• Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality issues
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed capacity, as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to learn and accurately utilize various financial aid platforms and databases
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, in English
• Ability to establish a student-centered environment providing excellent customer service with sensitivity and compassion
• Work effectively with colleagues and students of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and detail
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and schedule work to meet timelines

• Two years of experience working in higher education, ideally in Financial Aid
• Bilingual in one of the top 8 languages in Green River’s service area: Spanish, Dari, Somali, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Marshallese, Punjabi, Arabic

Supplemental Information

Required Training:

• Non-discrimination
• Ethics
• Child Abuse and Neglect
• Safety Orientation
• Title IX
• FERPA
• Purchasing and Requisition

• Must have the ability to sit for prolonged period of time at a desk/computer workstation
• Frequent repetitive arm, hand, and finger motions
• Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screen in performing work assignments
• Work in an office setting with frequent interruptions
• Must be able to maintain “regular and predictable attendance”
• May need to carry, lift or move equipment/supplies up to 10 lbs
• Work schedule: M-F, regular business hours. Occasional weekend and evening hours for peak processing
• Term of Position: Permanent
• Eligible for up to 40% remote work

• Must not be in default on any student loans

At this time, Green River College is not sponsoring for H1-B Visas.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, 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.)

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 RCW 28B.112.080.

Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Green River College’s Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, (253) 288-3320.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.

Equal Opportunity Employer and Statement of Non-Discrimination: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status age, perceived or actual sensory, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

Green River College prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sex-based harassment, and sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and its regulations, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about Title IX may be referred to Green River College’s Title IX Coordinator, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights, or both.

Reporting
Any employee, student, applicant, or visitor who believes that he, she or they have been the subject of discrimination or harassment should report the incident or incidents to the College’s appropriate Title IX Coordinator identified below. If the complaint is against that Coordinator, the complainant should report the matter to the President’s office for referral to an alternate designee.

For students/employees/public/visitors/applicants: Korland Simmons, Title IX Coordinator • Equity, Diversity, Inclusion

More than Just a Paycheck!
Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement and dental plans through the Public Employee Benefit Board, and most classified staff members will participate in either WA state’s PERS 2 or PERS 3 retirement programs. Other benefits include sick and vacation leave, staff training, paid holidays, and the opportunity to participate in the tuition-waiver program. We also offer an on-campus fitness center.

Health Benefits:
Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board.