School Certifying Official

State of Virginia•Richmond, VA

60d•$52,500

About The Position

Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia's capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our students. We also believe in providing an ongoing investment in our faculty and staff to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population. The School Certifying Official (SCO) serves as the college's primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military-connected students. This role is critical in ensuring the accurate certification and administration of VA educational benefits in full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The SCO upholds the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability in certification, reporting, and recordkeeping-while providing exceptional, student-centered service to veterans, service members, and their families. Through collaboration with key departments, including Financial Aid, Registrar, Bursar, and Advising, the SCO strengthens institutional compliance and enhances the overall veteran student experience. This position contributes directly to the college's mission to create an inclusive and supportive environment that promotes academic success, personal growth, and retention for all who have served.

Requirements

Demonstrated knowledge of VA education benefit programs (Chapters 33, 35, 30, 1606) and related certification systems.
Familiarity with federal and state compliance regulations related to veterans' educational benefits.
Experience working with student information systems and Microsoft Office or comparable data management tools.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.
Proven ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and provide high-quality, student-centered service.

Nice To Haves

Two or more years of experience supporting veteran or military-affiliated students in higher education.
Experience using VA certification systems (VAONCE or VA Education Platform) and enterprise student systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner, or Colleague).
Working knowledge of financial aid, registration, and student billing processes.
Certification as a School Certifying Official (SCO) through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (preferred or required within six months of hire).
Experience managing or coordinating state or federal benefit programs.
Familiarity with military culture, structure, and transitional challenges of service members and their families.
Active involvement in professional organizations such as the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators (NAVPA) or related groups.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student support and service delivery.

Responsibilities

Certify student enrollment and academic progress for VA educational benefits in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
Serve as the official VA point of contact for the college, maintaining timely communication with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Review, process, and monitor student eligibility, enrollment status, academic progress, and payment reconciliation.
Maintain accurate records in VA certification systems (e.g., VAONCE or the VA Education Platform) and the college's student information system.
Ensure institutional compliance through accurate reporting, documentation, and periodic audits.
Collaborate with campus partners in Financial Aid, Registrar, and Bursar offices to resolve student benefit and account issues.
Provide guidance, workshops, and one-on-one support to veteran and military-affiliated students regarding benefits, policies, and academic processes.
Analyze data to support continuous improvement, identify trends, and contribute to institutional reporting.
Participate in professional development, training, and networking with the VA and statewide organizations to maintain current knowledge of policies and best practices.
Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment that supports the success and well-being of military-affiliated students.