Manager of Veteran Affairs

Cotulla Education

2d•$80,000 - $87,000•Onsite

About The Position

Training Tomorrow's Technicians to Become Skilled, Employable, and Essential ABOUT US - Big Changes, Better Benefits - Join us today! At Cotulla Education, home to the Aviation Institute of Maintenance, Centura College, Tidewater Tech, and American Lineman College, we are dedicated to transforming lives through hands-on, career-focused education. Our mission is to empower students to achieve their professional dreams in high-demand fields like aviation, healthcare, information technology, and skilled trades. With experienced faculty providing personalized support, our graduates emerge as future leaders ready to make a significant impact in their communities. Join us in shaping the careers of those who will build and maintain our world and embark on a transformative journey towards a fulfilling career.

Requirements

High School Diploma or GED, or equivalent on-the-job experience, required
3–5 years of experience in a higher education VA role
Minimum of 2 years of leadership experience with direct responsibility for managing a team
Experience using VA Enrollment Manager or a comparable VA enrollment certification system
Working knowledge of VA education benefit programs, including Chapters 30, 31, 33, 35, and 1606, Military Tuition Assistance, and MyCAA
Working knowledge of State Approving Agency requirements, VA compliance standards, and certification processes
Understanding of FERPA and student data privacy requirements
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills with exceptional attention to detail
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, compliance-focused environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to provide regulatory guidance to staff and leadership
Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and discretion when handling confidential student information
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams
Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively across departments and campuses
Must complete the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ required initial School Certifying Official (SCO) training within 30 days of hire
Must maintain all subsequent annual SCO professional development and training requirements mandated by the VA

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in business, education, public administration, or a related field preferred
Knowledge of financial aid and bursar operations is a plus
CampusNexus/Anthology Student experience is a plus
Ability and willingness to travel for business purposes and occasionally work outside regular business hours as needed

Responsibilities

Serve as the institution’s primary School Certifying Official (SCO) and oversee VA operations across all campuses
Lead, develop, and manage a centralized team of VA Specialists/SCOs, including training, performance management, and accountability for processing and compliance standards
Oversee certification and administration of approved military and veteran education benefit programs, including: Post-9/11 GI Bill (Chapter 33), Montgomery GI Bill (Chapters 30 and 1606), Veteran Readiness and Employment (Chapter 31), Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (Chapter 35), Military Tuition Assistance, MyCAA
Ensure timely and accurate submission of enrollment certifications, adjustments, student status changes, program completions, and other required reporting
Conduct regular audits of student enrollments, curriculum changes, program adjustments, and VA records to maintain compliance and data integrity
Maintain compliance with key VA requirements and audit-risk areas, including the 85/15 rule, enrollment reporting, 35% exemption renewal, and required SCO training
Lead preparation for VA audits, compliance reviews, and Risk-Based Surveys, maintaining organized and audit-ready documentation
Develop and implement standardized processes and internal controls to reduce compliance risk and ensure consistency across campuses
Serve as the primary liaison with the State Approving Agency (SAA) and coordinate new and revised academic program approvals
Partner with Student Accounts and Financial Aid to ensure accurate tuition and fee reporting, billing, and administration of VA benefits
Monitor and reconcile VA payments, debts, and overpayments and ensure timely resolution and appropriate documentation
Provide ongoing training and guidance to VA staff, campus partners, and institutional leadership regarding regulatory requirements and certification processes
Ensure compliance with FERPA and institutional privacy requirements when managing military-affiliated student information