Student Services Specialist (0097520)

University of Hawaii System•Honolulu, HI

46d

About The Position

The Assistant Registrar for Veterans Education Services oversees the administration of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits for eligible veterans, dependents, active-duty service members, and reservists at UH Manoa. This role ensures full compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies, while enhancing student support services, streamlining operations, and fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Serves as a Working Supervisor for the VA Education Services unit, leading assigned staff in providing timely information, processing education benefits, ensuring VA compliance, and providing strategic leadership. Develop a high-performing VA education services team, focused on continuous learning and exceptional service. Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate VA education services professional staff and student hires to ensure operational efficiency and consistently high-quality outcomes. Implement process improvements and technology solutions to enhance service delivery. Provide comprehensive reports on situational developments and project progress to the University Registrar. Develop, recommend, and implement policy and procedural changes affecting the administration of VA education benefits. Actively engage in and contribute to university, UH system, or national professional development activities. Develop and execute communication strategies for VA students to improve awareness, satisfaction, and compliance. Provide consultation to campus-wide academic units on VA certification processes, course and degree applicability, and eligibility requirements. Collaborate with the Office of Veteran Student Services (OVSS) to ensure that the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success (OVPSS) and the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management (OVPEM) are supporting the educational needs of VA students. Work with the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) to obtain VA education benefits approval for study abroad partner institutions. Work with the Financial Aid Services and Cashier's Office to ensure accurate management of VA student accounts and fulfillment of benefit-related contracts and the provision of college financing plans. Maintain current knowledge of evolving Veterans Affairs policies and trends and communicate updates to campus stakeholders. Keep current of and interpret new legislative policy and changes pertaining to VA education benefits, and implement adjustments to benefit administration in response to these changes. Enforce university, FERPA, VA, and AACRAO policies and procedures, ensuring proper records are maintained and retained. Oversee the submission and annual renewal of university degree/certificate programs, policy changes, catalog, and extension campus information to the Hawai'i State Approving Agency (HISAA). Evaluate the Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement annually to propose a maximum number of Yellow Ribbon positions available and funds to be awarded for each academic year. Oversee federal and state audits including VA compliance surveys and HISAA risk-based surveys, and respond to US Congressional inquiries. Monitor and report on enrollment trends and academic progress to ensure students are in compliance with the US Department of Veterans Affairs academic standards and satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy. Complete annual School Certifying Official training as required by the VA. Attend the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators (NAVPA) annual conference and other related conferences, as needed, to remain abreast of best practices and updates to federal policies. Other duties as assigned. Denotes essential duties

Requirements

Possession of a baccalaureate degree in humanities, science, business administration, education, social sciences, or related field and 3 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for the administration of VA education benefits; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices, and techniques in the area of a registrar's office typical of an institution of higher education as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles, and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with VA education benefits as they apply within an institution of higher education.
Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative, and timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally, and by preparation of reports and other materials.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Demonstrated experience and proficiency in student information systems such as Ellucian Banner.
Knowledge of VA management systems, such as Enrollment Manager.
Knowledge of VA academic policies and procedures.
Knowledge of federal privacy regulations, such as FERPA.
Ability to interpret and apply legal and policy provisions to situations consistently.
Ability to adapt to an ever-changing environment and technology.

Nice To Haves

Proven ability to advance continuous improvement, innovation, and excellence in enrollment management, registrar, or similar operations.
Experience in team-building and developing collaborative partnerships.

Responsibilities

Oversees the administration of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits for eligible veterans, dependents, active-duty service members, and reservists at UH Manoa.
Ensures full compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies
Enhancing student support services, streamlining operations, and fostering relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
Serves as a Working Supervisor for the VA Education Services unit, leading assigned staff in providing timely information, processing education benefits, ensuring VA compliance, and providing strategic leadership.
Develop a high-performing VA education services team, focused on continuous learning and exceptional service.
Hire, supervise, train, and evaluate VA education services professional staff and student hires to ensure operational efficiency and consistently high-quality outcomes.
Implement process improvements and technology solutions to enhance service delivery.
Provide comprehensive reports on situational developments and project progress to the University Registrar.
Develop, recommend, and implement policy and procedural changes affecting the administration of VA education benefits.
Actively engage in and contribute to university, UH system, or national professional development activities.
Develop and execute communication strategies for VA students to improve awareness, satisfaction, and compliance.
Provide consultation to campus-wide academic units on VA certification processes, course and degree applicability, and eligibility requirements.
Collaborate with the Office of Veteran Student Services (OVSS) to ensure that the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Success (OVPSS) and the Office of the Vice Provost for Enrollment Management (OVPEM) are supporting the educational needs of VA students.
Work with the Office of Global Engagement (OGE) to obtain VA education benefits approval for study abroad partner institutions.
Work with the Financial Aid Services and Cashier's Office to ensure accurate management of VA student accounts and fulfillment of benefit-related contracts and the provision of college financing plans.
Maintain current knowledge of evolving Veterans Affairs policies and trends and communicate updates to campus stakeholders.
Keep current of and interpret new legislative policy and changes pertaining to VA education benefits, and implement adjustments to benefit administration in response to these changes.
Enforce university, FERPA, VA, and AACRAO policies and procedures, ensuring proper records are maintained and retained.
Oversee the submission and annual renewal of university degree/certificate programs, policy changes, catalog, and extension campus information to the Hawai'i State Approving Agency (HISAA).
Evaluate the Yellow Ribbon Program Agreement annually to propose a maximum number of Yellow Ribbon positions available and funds to be awarded for each academic year.
Oversee federal and state audits including VA compliance surveys and HISAA risk-based surveys, and respond to US Congressional inquiries.
Monitor and report on enrollment trends and academic progress to ensure students are in compliance with the US Department of Veterans Affairs academic standards and satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy.
Complete annual School Certifying Official training as required by the VA.
Attend the National Association of Veterans Program Administrators (NAVPA) annual conference and other related conferences, as needed, to remain abreast of best practices and updates to federal policies.
Other duties as assigned.