Program Specialist 2 - Financial Aid

Tacoma Community College•Tacoma WA 98466, WA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Tacoma Community College is hiring two Program Specialist 2 employees to provide financial aid services to students. The role reviews and evaluates financial aid applications, determines financial need and eligibility, and packages financial aid awards. It also provides consultation and direct customer service to students, staff, and faculty, communicating detailed information about financial aid and programs. The position reports to the Manager of Compliance and Training. This is a full-time classified position scheduled Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. During summer, the college operates Monday through Thursday; scheduling flexibility is required to meet departmental needs. The salary range is $45,924 to $61,332, with most candidates starting at $59,760 depending on qualifications. Tacoma Community College offers medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents; life and long-term disability insurance; vacation, sick, and personal leave; reduced tuition for employees; and retirement benefits. A collective bargaining agreement applies, and membership in the Washington Federation of State Employees or payment of a membership fee is available upon employment. The successful candidate will provide accurate, professional, confidential, and empathetic service in a detailed, deadline-oriented environment, including scheduled front-counter coverage. Applicants must submit a Tacoma Community College application, resume and cover letter, and unofficial transcripts for all colleges and universities attended. A criminal history background check is required before employment. Degrees must be from accredited institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education; international degrees will be verified for U.S. equivalency.

Requirements

Associate's degree from an accredited college or university, and two years of experience working in a financial aid office or related office experience, or equivalent education and/or experience.
Intermediate word processing, spreadsheet, and database software skills.
Strong oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
Excellent customer service skills, including the ability to build and maintain internal and external customer satisfaction.
Ability to research and pay close attention to detail.
Ethics, integrity, confidentiality, and sound professional judgment.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a detailed, deadline-oriented, high-pressure environment.
Experience working with diverse populations and providing complex services.
Ability to communicate using language appropriate to the topic's complexity and the audience's knowledge and understanding.
Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
Ability to be accurate, timely, and detail oriented in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Ability to multitask and prioritize workflow with multiple high-priority deadlines.
Successful completion of a criminal history background check before employment.
Flexibility in scheduling to meet department needs.

Responsibilities

Review and evaluate financial aid applications, determine eligibility for federal and state aid, package awards, and exercise professional judgment.
Analyze student files using knowledge of regulations, application data, FAFSA comments, federal database matches, and academic progress requirements.
Prevent financial aid over-awards by reviewing all aid types accurately and promptly before awarding need-based or other financial resources.
Counsel students and provide excellent customer service, including listening attentively, responding professionally to hostility, communicating clearly with native and non-native English speakers, and exercising discretion.
Consult with and directly assist students in resolving eligibility issues and application difficulties across financial aid programs.
Maintain confidentiality of student files and records in accordance with FERPA guidelines.
Cover scheduled front-counter shifts by assisting walk-in students and the public and answering phones, emails, and questions accurately and promptly.
Explain complex and technical information clearly.
May review student appeals, including Satisfactory Academic Progress, Time Limit, and Income Revision appeals, and make professional judgment decisions.
May conduct outreach events to educate students and the public about financial aid and scholarship programs.
May assist with or manage loan processing, Pell/COD processing, SAP processing, state aid processes and reporting, Return of Title IV funds, disbursements, specialized financial aid processing, scholarships, Workforce awards, or Veterans office work.
Perform other duties as assigned to support the team in achieving its service objectives.