Financial Aid Technician I at Taft College
TAFT, CA 93268
About the Job
Financial Aid Technician I
Priority Application Deadline September 27, 2024. Position will remain open until filled.
Definition:
Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical clerical duties to process and award financial aid to college students; assists students throughout the financial aid process with the terminology and eligibility requirements; performs related duties as required.
Class Characteristics:
Employees in this class are assisting in the balancing of the financial aid records under the Federal and State program guidelines; reviews, completes and awards student’s financial aid.
Representative Duties:
The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in the classification, however, employees may perform other related duties not listed and each employee necessarily performs not all duties listed.
- Provide clerical support in the Financial Aid & Scholarships department which includes scheduling appointments and referring students to the next step to enroll at Taft College.
- Communicate effectively with students, seeks clarification to accurately decipher the student’s need and schedule appointments with the correct person and refer them to the appropriate department, or provide them with appropriate forms.
- Provide professional information and assistance to students in person, by telephone, email or regular mail in regards to financial aid programs.
- Research, develop and update forms and documents required for student who seek to obtain a student loan with Taft College.
- Conduct and/or ensure completion of entrance and exit counseling as well as master promissory note for all loan recipients.
- Oversee daily operations of the front desk, including dissemination and clarification to student workers.
- Processes application and determines eligibility.
- Assist with the coordination of staff and student worker schedules.
- Assist in hiring and training student workers.
- Assist Director in the collection and compilation of Financial Aid data and statistics from various sources, including electronic databases and enterprise systems such as Banner; independently assembles and summarizes information as directed.
- Assist in gathering and preparing materials for department presentations.
- Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, scanner, fax machine, computer and assigned software. Arranges for computer system modifications, maintenance and repairs as needed.
- Work with IT to ensure the department scanning systems, document readers, and desktop computers are in working order.
- Maintain calendar record for the Director.
- Collect, manage and prepare Financial Aid Petitions and supporting documentation for Financial Aid Appeals Committee meetings.
- Notify students of the decision made by the Financial Aid Appeals Committee in regards to their petitions in a timely manner.
- Assist with the coordination of CalFresh outreach, application completion and follow up services for identified eligible students.
- Assist in the preparation and dissemination of financial aid information.
- Perform a variety of specialized clerical duties such as maintaining electronic Financial Aid file system, typing, data entry and retrieval, reception and general office support and sending out mass emails.
- Attend meetings as assigned and provides administrative staff support, including taking notes and preparing minutes.
- Perform related duties as assigned.
Knowledge of:
- Federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to the financial aid process.
- Clerical and office skills.
- Complex and changing state and federal regulations and procedures, including tax forms.
- Financial aid programs.
- College policies regarding satisfactory academic progress.
- Accounting procedures and programs for balancing accounts, calculating eligibility, maintaining, and reporting financial records.
- Program referral procedures.
- Effective methods of working with the public.
- Effective written and oral skills.
- Basic research and evaluation methods.
- Computer applications such as Word, Excel, e-mail and internet browsers.
- Basic filing methods.
- Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
- General secretarial skills and techniques.
- Organizational and prioritization skills.
- Accurate recordkeeping operations and guidelines.
Ability to:
- Learn District processes and procedures, rules, laws and regulations.
- Learn financial aid programs and procedures.
- Interpret and explain financial aid processes, rules and eligibility requirements.
- Keep files current, accurate and in order.
- Analyze and comply with requested data, reports and fiscal operations.
- Make presentations to public, parents and students.
- Read and interpret laws, rules and regulations.
- Be efficient, well organized and maintain neatness.
- Work independently with minimal direction.
- Follow guidelines and directions as directed.
- Meet the public, students, and faculty and staff cordially and effectively.
- Provide customer service.
- Enter and retrieve computer information accurately.
- Use a computer database and interpret computer data.
- Communicate with administrators, faculty, staff, students and the public.
- Perform arithmetic calculations with accuracy.
- Communicate effectively orally, in writing, manage time sensitive tasks, and maintain confidentiality.
- Take responsibility and use professional judgment based on established guidelines and procedures.
- Assume responsibility for routine clerical detail.
- Apply knowledge of modern office practices and equipment including expert use of computers for word processing, record management and filing systems.
- Work effectively and demonstrate currency of knowledge with computers and other forms of advanced technology utilized in providing high quality services.
- Establish and maintain comprehensive and accurate files and records; prepare concise and complete reports as required.
- Quickly learn a variety of technological programs, and use them all on a daily basis.
Working Conditions:
Assignments are typically 40 hours per week and 12 months per year.
May require over-time or evening hours throughout the year.
Generally, work is performed indoors but may involve traveling to complete assignments or for research, workshops, training or meetings.
Physical Requirements:
- Vision sufficient to read documents and computer terminal displays.
- Speech and hearing to communicate in person or by telephone.
- Manual dexterity sufficient to use a variety of office equipment, computer keyboards and to handle paper.
- Sit for long periods.
- Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds such as paper and reports.
- Ability to bend and reach to retrieve and file supplies, equipment and documents.
Reasonable accommodations will be made for candidates and employees with physical disabilities.
Environment:
Community college campus serving a diverse student population and with an emphasis on student success. Work is primarily performed in busy office environment serving students, staff and the public.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:
Education and Experience:
High school diploma or equivalent and one (1) year of experience working in an office setting. Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomics, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.
Desirable Qualifications:
Bilingual: Spanish/English.
Prior experience in public education in a Financial Aid office.
Prior experience with Banner.
Salary and Benefits
The salary range for the position is a Range 19 on the Classified Salary Schedule with a range of $24.63-$27.15 per hour. This is a full-time, permanent position, at 40 hours per week. This position is eligible for participation in District benefits. West Kern Community College District offers a comprehensive fringe benefits program that includes District paid medical, dental and vision coverage for all employees and their dependents, as well as a generous vacation plan. Employees are eligible for membership in either CalPERS or CalSTRS retirement systems.
Supervision
Supervision is received from the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships. May take or give work directions on projects as assigned.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
1. Completed application through www.taftcollege.edu/human-resources
2. A cover letter outlining your education and experiences relevant to this position.
3. A current resume.
4. Three (3) professional references.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The West Kern Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination and, as such, is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This employer participates in E-Verify.
Disclaimer
This program is categorically funded and continued employment is dependent upon adequate funding.
Salary
25 - 27 /hour
