SUMMARY

BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE Financial Aid Specialist provides customer service, student data intake, file review and packaging for the Financial Aid Office. This position, with oversight from the Director, manages Third-Party Funding, Scholarships, Financial Form and Student Emergency Assistance Grants. This position also assists with Workforce Education Services Grants, State aid programs and VA Benefits. This position is responsible for general knowledge of all financial aid programs at the college. This position communicates accurate and timely information to students regarding their financial aid eligibility. This position is responsible for reviewing, awarding, and processing students' financial aid applications.

First consideration will be given to applicants who apply by May 31, 23.

This position is part of the Professional Technical Employees (PTE) Union. Full potential salary range for this PTE III position is listed above. Starting rate will be $22.48 up to $26.10 hourly depending on experience. After July 1, 2023, this position will be eligible for a Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) and salary will increase by 8.9 %

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & OTHER DUTIES

Essential Functions

• 
  Review students financial aid eligibility based on information provided by students, identify inconsistencies and resolve issues prior to awarding and package student’s financial aid file.
• Troubleshoot, correct, or make necessary adjustments to financial aid funds to ensure accuracy with disbursements.
• Coordinate day-to-day tasks and communicate with third-party partners with oversight by Financial Aid Director.
• Administer Federal and State Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and procedures as developed by the director.
• Run and process Award Offer notification and disseminates to students.
• Assist students regarding all facets of student financial aid, including application process, eligibility determination, specific program requirements, cost of attendance and other financial aid alternatives.
• Assist students selected for verification by the Department of Education with completing and obtaining the required documentation.
• Maintain professional competency through training offered by the Department of Education, Higher Education Coordination Board, and third-party partners.
• Creates, maintains, and disburses financial aid forms, policies, procedures, and Literacy information.
• Presents financial literacy on and off campus for groups of internal and external entities.
• Coordinates with WES staff to award Worker Retaining, BFET, Work First and Opportunity Grants to eligible students, ensure disbursement of funds and prevent over awards.
• Reconciliation of Third-Party Funding, Scholarships, and Student Emergency Assistance Grants.
• Secondarily responsible for reconciliation of Workforce Education Services Grants, State aid programs and VA Benefits.
• Authorized financial aid holds to prevent students from being dropped from classes.
  

Non-Essential/Other Functions

• Accountable for keeping personal development up-to-date; adding to skills and knowledge through courses that may be available through the Bates Technical College courses, professional development committees, etc.
• Participate actively and collaboratively on committees for college as needed including but not limited to staff recruitment, college councils, etc.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Additional activities, duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice to meet college needs.
  

Supervisory Responsibilities

• This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Conditions of Employment

• Per Washington State guidelines, Bates Technical College is a fully vaccinated campus and will require all staff and students to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination status or request a medical or religious exemption.
• Once an offer of employment is made, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not preclude employment but will be contingent in determining the employee's suitability and competence to continue to perform in the position.
• This position is required to work on campus
• This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by Bates Technical College local union.
• Valid Washington State Driver License

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledgeable of all Federal and State guidelines, rules, and regulations.
• Proficient use of Microsoft Office; specifically, Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Knowledgeable of Student Management and Financial Management systems.
• Exercise independent judgement to resolve issues, apply critical thinking.
• Exercise good judgement for the prompt completion of responsibilities; ability to organize, set priorities, coordinate activities, meet deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with diverse internal and external audiences through college approved communication; must be able to communicate effectively with internal and external entities.
• Demonstrated ability to provide professional, high-quality, courteous and responsive customer service with internal and external audiences of the College.
• Model professional decorum, discretion and mutual respect within and outside of the college.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance on the job to best support business needs of the department and college.
• Consistently maintain confidentiality and sensitivity with internal and external audiences.
• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws, regulations and goals of the institution, and community and technical college system; stay abreast of trends and regulations to ensure effectiveness and compliance.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the mission, values, goals and objectives of Bates Technical College.
• Ability to communicate, understand instructions and recognize hazardous, unsafe or poisonous materials and/or products.
• Demonstrated understanding and ability to acknowledge and respect individual’s values and opinions to foster a harmonious working relationship with colleagues and/or students.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a professional demeanor while recognizing and acting appropriately in order not to jeopardize the physical and mental stability and safety of colleagues and/or students.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Qualifications

• 
  High School Diploma/GED and three years of relevant experience OR
• Associates degree and one year of relevant experience

Allowable Substitution
If necessary, alternative combinations of education and experience may be evaluated by Human Resources for comparability.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and one year of relevant experience

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT

BATES TECHNICAL COLLEGE reaffirms its policy of equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or Vietnam era veteran in its programs and activities in accordance with college policy, and applicable federal and state statutes and regulations. Bates publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Disability Support Services Office at 253.680.7010. Inquiries regarding Bates' non-discriminatory policies, including Title IX and ADA, should be directed to: For student matters, the Dean of Student Services at 253.680.7105, Downtown Campus A211. For employee matters, the Executive Director of Human Resources at 253.680.7180, Downtown Campus A326.

Land Acknowledgement
We honor and recognize the Coast Salish people, specifically the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, on whose traditional territory and ancestral lands Bates Technical College campuses sit. They were forcibly relocated onto reservation lands in what is today Tacoma, Washington, in late 1854, after signing the Treaty of Medicine Creek with the United States. We acknowledge and thank the original stewards of this land.

This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and/or modified without notice.