Peer Counselor Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Demonstrated experience leading, training, and supervising employees or student staff.
• Excellent interpersonal, customer service, and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex information clearly and professionally.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interpret and apply financial aid policies, procedures, and federal regulations.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy when reviewing documentation and processing records.
• Experience developing training materials, procedures, and employee resources.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively while maintaining a student-centered approach to service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, recruit, hire, train, schedule, and evaluate Peer Counselors and student employees serving at the Financial Aid Office front counter.
• Develop, maintain, and update training materials, policies, procedures, and onboarding resources for Peer Counselors.
• Counsel current and prospective students and families regarding financial aid applications, eligibility requirements, federal regulations, professional judgment requests, and available aid programs.
• Manage daily customer service operations and ensure accurate, timely, and professional responses to inquiries.
• Co-manage the Financial Aid departmental mailbox and monitor communications to ensure exceptional customer service.
• Collaborate with university offices, including the University Business Office, Registrar's Office, and Centennial Scholars Program, to support student enrollment and success.
• Review FAFSA and ISIR data for accuracy and compliance with federal regulations, and assist with verification processing and professional judgment request triage.
• Process and adjust financial aid awards while maintaining accuracy and compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations.
• Co-lead OnBase document management processes, including document imaging, indexing, archiving, workflow monitoring, and training.
• Assist the Loan Team with research, reconciliation, and resolution of student loan records and discrepancies.
• Coordinate and participate in financial literacy presentations, workshops, and outreach activities for local high schools and the JMU community.
• Serve as backup supervisor for front-counter operations and participate in departmental strategic planning initiatives.

Benefits

• Paid vacation leave
• Paid sick leave
• Paid parental leave
• Paid community service leave
• 19 paid holidays annually
• Health insurance options
• Retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System
• Balanced Dukes employee wellness and work-life integration resources
• Tuition waiver for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU