Director, Veterans Resource Center

Pasadena Area Community College District•Pasadena, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of the Dean, Student Wellness and Support Services, the Director oversees the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) and ensures that it complies with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs policies and regulations governing educational benefits for U.S. military veterans and their dependents. The role directs day-to-day operations, submits mandated reports, conducts veteran orientation sessions, organizes veteran-centered services, and seeks funding for initiatives including social services, mental health, housing, and work rehabilitation. The Director implements policies and plans, supervises employees, assesses programs and services, monitors the area budget, ensures grant compliance, and develops reporting systems. The position informs eligible and potential students about benefits and services; coordinates referrals, events, and support activities; administers the VA Student Work-Study Allowance program; collaborates with other offices; verifies VA-benefit enrollment and payment information; and coordinates required submissions and compliance visits with the VA. The role also analyzes student data and prepares administrative reports on the utilization and effectiveness of VRC services. The position requires a master’s degree or higher and at least one year of experience or formal training related to military educational services. Two years of experience or formal training in this area is preferred. Work is performed continuously in an indoor office environment, with occasional travel to District satellite locations. The role involves sustained communication, sitting, and computer use.

Requirements

Master’s degree or higher.
At least one year of experience or formal training related to military educational services.
Knowledge of federal and state regulations, requirements, and procedural guidelines for veteran and military-affiliated students and their dependents, including mandated reporting requirements.
Knowledge of federal, state, and local programs that provide services for veterans and military-affiliated individuals.
Knowledge of FERPA, District policies, collective bargaining agreements, Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs), and Program Review.
Knowledge of enterprise resource planning software, timekeeping software, and general office software and equipment.
Ability to apply federal and state regulations governing veterans’ educational benefits and reporting, including VA Student Work-Study Program compliance, timely submissions, documentation retention, and accurate student information.
Ability to apply FERPA requirements to protect student records and to gather and report information for VA reporting deadlines and audits.
Ability to use programs for veterans and military-affiliated individuals to obtain services such as social services, mental health services, housing assistance, and work rehabilitation.
Ability to ensure compliance with collective bargaining agreements and District policies in hiring, paid time off, progressive discipline, and performance evaluations.
Ability to apply knowledge of SLOs and Program Reviews to assess departmental objectives.
Ability to use enterprise resource planning software for requisitions and budget monitoring, timekeeping software to verify and approve employee time off, and general office software to prepare applications, materials, reports, data, and communications.
Ability to develop and administer programs and services responsive to the needs of veteran and active military students and to remove barriers to their success.
Ability to remain current on state and federal regulations affecting educational benefits and reporting requirements.
Ability to select and supervise staff and develop competent, productive employees.
Ability to foster a respectful work environment and engage with people from different cultures or backgrounds.
Ability to assess the effectiveness of departmental events, services, and activities and ensure information is gathered and reported accurately and on time.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and maintain collegiate relationships with District staff, students, and external agencies.
Ability to continuously communicate, sit, and operate a computer; occasional mobility to travel to District satellite locations.
Successful applicants must provide proof of eligibility to work in the United States and successfully complete a background check, Live Scan, and tuberculosis assessment or screening.

Nice To Haves

Two years of experience or formal training related to military educational services.

Responsibilities

Implement departmental policies, modifications, assignments, goals, action plans, and objectives to ensure compliance with federal regulations and state statutes governing educational services for veterans and their dependents.
Analyze employee performance, prepare performance evaluations, and address performance issues.
Participate in recruitment to assist the supervising manager in hiring classified and unclassified staff; apportion work among subordinate staff; engage in employee discipline; and approve paid time off for supervised employees.
Assess departmental services and programs to support the development of short- and long-term goals and ensure services meet the needs of veteran and military-affiliated students and their dependents.
Complete federal, state, county, and District reports for the area of responsibility.
Monitor the area budget and assist the supervising manager with budget tracking, development, and administration.
Ensure compliance with grant guidelines and achievement of grant outcomes.
Develop a reporting system that provides statistical and financial data to District administration and outside agencies related to Veteran Services.
Inform eligible and potential students about benefits, laws, and available veterans’ services, and monitor intake and assessment to ensure appropriate referrals.
Organize veteran-related events, services, and activities, including support related to mental health, temporary housing, meal vouchers, career workshops, and additional financial aid.
Locate funding sources for Veterans Resource Center initiatives.
Organize the VA Student Work-Study Allowance program and ensure compliance with applicable federal and state rules, regulations, and guidelines.
Coordinate with other offices to support effective and efficient service delivery to veterans and military-affiliated students.
Evaluate enrollment status for students receiving VA benefits to ensure appropriate payment disbursements and adjustments and to report information to the VA.
Submit the District’s college catalog and requested information about degree and certificate programs to the VA for annual program eligibility determinations.
Organize visits from VA Education Compliance Survey Specialists and ensure auditors can access required information and campus areas.
Analyze enrollment, credit assessment, graduation, retention, and alumni data for veteran and active military students and prepare administrative reports on VRC support services.
Perform related duties as assigned.