Veteran Affairs School Certifying Official (SCO)

Jacksonville University•Jacksonville, FL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Veteran Affairs School Certifying Official (SCO) is considered a Veterans Affairs Coordinator position. This role operates within the Jacksonville University VA Education Benefits program. This role oversees a caseload of over 300 beneficiaries of various academic levels and programs of study. The ideal candidate should be capable of exercising independent judgement, maintaining specialized knowledge of federal compliance within the realm of Veterans Affairs, and be able to coordinate effectively between multiple on-campus departments. They will also work alongside the Student Financial Services Team (encompassing Student Accounts and Financial Aid) through the assigned responsibilities to ensure all areas of SFS are being supported. This includes effective communication over phone, email and in person when responding to concerns. The candidate should be capable of corresponding in a pleasant and professional manner with students, families, and campus partners. They are responsible in monitoring and adhering to established SFS timelines and schedules, including any recurring annual activities and deadlines.

Requirements

Ability to read, write and comprehend instructions, reports, and emails; ability to comfortably perform public speaking as required for speaking events
Ability to perform basic arithmetic, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentage and ration calculations. Familiarity with basic accounting is a plus.
Ability to think critically and effectively solve problems independently
Ability to manage and track documents in a document management system. Ability to operate on a Windows operating system, and experience using Microsoft Office Suite programs such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Ability to actively listen, discern key information, and respond professionally; confidence to ask follow-up or clarifying questions to diffuse escalated situations and offer appropriate problem resolution when necessary
A preferred candidate will be detail-oriented, with skills in proofreading and data entry to ensure accuracy even when working with a significant amount of information
Ability to work well under pressure and in a fast-paced, team-based, and customer service-oriented environment
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
2 years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Veteran highly preferred
Previous accounting experience
Previous cash-handling experience

Responsibilities

Serve as the University's primary subject matter expert for VA education benefits and stay current on all training and compliance by attending state and federal training opportunities
Serve as the University's designated School Certifying Official responsible for administering VA education benefits and ensure federal compliance
Interpret and apply Department of Veterans Affairs regulations during day-to-day workflow, and maintain audit-ready documentation and institutional compliance
Completing degree analysis, enrollment verifications and degree plan audits for every student prior to certification to ensure only degree-applicable coursework is certified
Coordinate directly with VMRC, Office of the Registrar, Office of Admissions, Student Financial Services, Academic Advising, VR&E Counselors, and the Department of Veterans Affairs
Develop an effective certification workflow process and ensure properly maintained compliance documentation
Develop standardized communication templates and assist in mass-communication efforts within the VA Beneficiary student caseload
Recruit, train, and supervise VA Work Study students as available
Advise veterans, active-duty service members, spouses, and dependents regarding their education benefits
Maintain confidentiality of all student records/files and comply with FERPA regulations.
Additional Chapter 30, Chapter 1606, Fry Scholarship, Yellow Ribbon, and other beneficiaries
Liaise with Veterans and Military Resource Center concerning veterans, dependents or spouses
Assist with VA reconciliation efforts by researching discrepancies and supporting payment reconciliation when workload allows
Process financial aid paperwork, avoid conflicting State and Federal Aid programs with veteran benefits
Performs other related duties or special projects as assigned by supervisor.

Benefits

Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, jury duty, and bereavement leave
Paid Federal Holidays
Additional time off for Thanksgiving, Winter holidays, and Spring Break
FSA/HSA eligibility
Retirement plan with a dollar-for-dollar University match of up to 6% following the vesting period
Robust health benefits (medical, dental, vision)
100% Employer-Sponsored benefits: Short Term Disability (buy-up option available), Long Term Disability, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Parent Leave
Additional benefit options: Accident coverage, Pet Insurance, Legal, Critical Illness, Dependent Life
Tuition benefits for employees, spouses, and dependent children up to 26 years of age
Domestic Partner benefit eligibility
Veteran and Military Service Support Program
Discounted on-campus dining meal plans; 2 free meals per week during Fall and Spring semesters
Monthly wellness initiatives
Service awards & Recognition programs
10% discounts at the on-campus JU Bookstore, School of Orthodontics
Free Microsoft Office downloads to personal computers/devices
Free on-campus parking
Access to campus amenities, including the fitness center, resort-style pool, and library