Director of Military & Veteran Affairs (Admissions and Enrollment Specialist IV)

Tennessee Tech•Cookeville, TN

About The Position

The Director of Military & Veteran Affairs directs and manages the University’s veteran student services and ensures compliance with federal, state, and university directives concerning veterans’ and dependents’ educational benefits. The Director collaborates with the Registrar, Bursar, and Financial Aid departments to ensure students are properly certified for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) educational benefits and to maximize financial incentives. The role also provides academic program advising for veterans, manages the Coordinator of Veteran Educational Benefits, and reports directly to the AVP of Enrollment & Student Success. The Director oversees veteran educational benefits certification and enrollment verification, VA-sponsored work-study staff, and departmental compliance and reporting. The position develops programs, policies, and tools, manages the departmental budget and restricted annual reporting fees, processes purchases and vendor contracts, and serves as a liaison among university departments, students, and the DVA. The Director advocates for student veterans, supports their transition into the University, and cultivates relationships with military installations, ROTC, and Veteran Service Organizations for outreach and recruitment. The physical demands are typical of an office environment. Typical hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with additional hours when needed. Applicants must electronically submit a cover letter, resume, transcripts, and contact information for three references. Official transcripts are required upon hire. Tennessee Tech is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field.
At least seven years of related professional experience, including experience working with veterans’ educational benefits; a master’s degree from an accredited institution may substitute for two years of experience.
Must have served in a U.S. military branch (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or Space Force) with an honorable discharge, or have significant experience supporting military and veteran populations.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, copy of transcripts, and complete contact information for three references; official transcripts are required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited institution.
Prior experience as a School Certifying Official.
Experience with public speaking and presentations.
Experience in recruitment, training, and supervising.
Knowledge of DVA educational benefits and federal and state benefits pertaining to veterans.

Responsibilities

Manage the Coordinator of Veteran Educational Benefits to ensure proper certification and enrollment verification in compliance with federal, state, and university directives concerning veterans’ and dependents’ education benefits.
Oversee VA-sponsored work-study staff within the Veterans Center.
Act as secondary School Certifying Official.
Maintain thorough knowledge of veterans’ affairs policies and procedures to ensure university compliance with state and federal agencies.
Prepare and submit reports to appropriate federal and state entities.
Develop programs, policies, and tools that support compliance while providing direct service to the university’s veteran and military student community.
Manage the departmental budget and allocate restricted annual reporting fees responsibly.
Maintain purchases and process vendor contracts.
Serve as a liaison between the Department and university departments, and between veteran and dependent students and the DVA.
Collaborate with university faculty, staff, and advisors to ensure students are properly certified under DVA policies and procedures.
Serve as Academic Advisor for the Student Veterans Organization.
Advocate for student veterans during their transition into the educational institution by meeting with prospective students and families and providing information about VA educational benefits.
Cultivate relationships with local and regional military installations for outreach and recruitment.
Collaborate with the Tech ROTC program and local Veteran Service Organizations to support student veterans.
Collaborate with the Registrar, Bursar, and Financial Aid departments regarding student certification for DVA educational benefits and financial incentives.
Provide academic program advising for veterans.
Manage the Coordinator of Veteran Educational Benefits.