Student Employment and Financial Aid Counselor

University of San Francisco

26d

About The Position

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Student Employment, the Student Employment and Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for placement and payment functions for Federal Work-Study and Campus Based Employment programs. The counselor interprets and applies federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations governing eligible students’ placement, performs other placement activities such as work authorizations and off-campus agreements, and serves as program lead within a defined scope when the Assistant Director is absent. The role works with Schools and Colleges across campus, off-campus employers, and departmental hiring managers on student employment matters, including hiring and terminating student employees. The position maintains compliance and documentation for student employment and financial aid programs; supports policy and procedure development; assists with creating and managing on- and off-campus work opportunities; and advises students about employment options and financial aid. The counselor also supports onboarding, earnings and award monitoring, quality assurance and audits, communications and training, student employment webpages and reporting, and customer service coordination across the university. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Assistant Director of Student Employment, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required.
At least 2 years of work experience in higher education; experience in financial aid, student employment, or enrollment is preferred.
Ability to identify, troubleshoot, and resolve issues and develop processes to prevent recurrence.
Ability to meet deadlines and produce large volumes of work in a fast-paced, changing environment.
Ability to monitor participant and program compliance with college, state, and federal funding and regulatory requirements.
Ability to work cooperatively with staff, students, employers, and the public.
Knowledge of pre-employment screening, interviewing, and advising methods and techniques.
Knowledge and skill in training student staff and monitoring their performance.
Ability to work with initiative and innovation, analyze varied situations, identify appropriate solutions, exercise independent judgment, and make decisions.
Ability to counsel prospective and enrolled students on financial aid matters, including financial management and budgeting practices as appropriate.
Effective oral and written communication skills.
Ability to deliver effective presentations to large and small groups.
Knowledge of procedures for contacting employers, discussing job openings and available services, and placing people in jobs.
Ability to analyze data and systems and solve problems.
Commitment to customer service and effective interpersonal behavior with students and employees.
Working knowledge of automated employment and financial aid systems, such as Workday and Banner.
Ability to plan work assignments, set priorities, and be flexible.
Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply federal, state, and institutional rules, regulations, and policies.

Nice To Haves

Working knowledge of Workday software applications and computer systems.
Experience in employment or personnel work involving interviewing and recruitment techniques.
Experience in financial aid and basic knowledge of financial aid programs.
Intermediate understanding of HTML and/or an HTML editor.

Responsibilities

Maintain knowledge of federal and state regulations and university policies related to financial aid programs, ensuring proper processing and documentation of student employment and other programs.
Serve as a liaison for students, staff, and local and state agencies regarding the Federal Work-Study program.
Assist in developing and implementing policies and procedures that support consistent and equitable delivery of financial aid funding.
Create email templates, flow charts, and answer guides to streamline procedures.
Help develop on- and off-campus jobs for work-study students, including federally mandated community-service jobs, and assist students with placement at agencies.
Initiate, process, and monitor employment contracts and earnings for off-campus agencies.
Monitor compliance with applicable local, state, and federal laws, policies, procedures, and regulations, including conducting required on-site visits to work locations.
Assist with quality assurance, including routine and systematic internal audits of job assignments and student eligibility, Federal Work-Study reconciliation, and maintaining audit documentation.
Assist with onboarding student employees through USFWorks and other tools.
Assess student needs; provide employment counseling and guidance; match student skills and abilities with employer needs; and counsel students on alternatives to work-study funding.
When necessary, determine student eligibility for and award financial aid in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and guidelines.
Develop and deliver presentations at orientation sessions and conduct supervisor training.
Maintain the accuracy of job postings and requisitions.
Work with departmental hiring managers to hire and terminate student employees.
Monitor financial aid award reports for changes, disqualifications, and reinstatements.
Monitor students’ monthly earnings, notify supervisors of available eligible hours, and authorize wage increases and student payments.
Assist in creating and sending accurate, timely mass communications about student employment administration.
Help develop, implement, and execute student employment communications, including forms, manuals, orientation packets, handbooks, and newsletters for students and supervisors.
Assist in leading documentation reviews, including office communications, webpage content, and telephone service coordination.
Develop, maintain, and enhance the system process schedule for student employment communications and ensure timely execution.
Maintain, develop, and enhance the Student Employment webpage and related social media efforts.
Compile student employment statistics and management reports on student communications, including phone calls, emails, and walk-in customers.
Foster positive interdepartmental relationships across USF customer service teams to support a positive experience for applicants and continuing students.
Provide technical assistance on program matters.
Promote programs and information that support student recruitment and retention.
Coordinate and lead the work of student ambassadors in the Assistant Director’s absence.
Perform other duties as assigned.