Financial Aid & Scholarships
Administrator I
RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:
Provides financial aid leadership, administrative knowledge, functional expertise in student administration software, and business process development for the systems unit within the Financial Aid & Scholarships office. Responsible for leadership in the systems area of the Financial Aid & Scholarships office, which includes the completion of all tasks, projects, administrative mandates, and future planning necessary to achieve department, division, and University goals. Utilizes project management skills to facilitate operational objectives and ensure timely delivery of student aid. This includes the functional technical understanding of the financial systems, planning for systems testing, building testing plans/scripts, troubleshooting systems issues, and recommending timely solutions. Gathers and conducts analysis of statistical data and coordinates required data reporting to external agencies utilizing query and equation functionality.
In collaboration with the Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, recommends process efficiencies based on review of existing and needed business practices. Assists with planning, developing, and implementing systems in support of federal, state, and institutional requirements/regulatory changes. Responsible for managing the Institutional Scholarship program including coordinating the centralization of all University scholarships through use of Blackbaud, the scholarship system platform. Oversees the financial aid systems and operations team responsible for providing functional support to office operations, performing quality control functions, partnering with ITS on system patches, updates, upgrades, testing, issue reporting/resolution. Responsible for the management of all data processes and manages the interface between the Financial Aid Module and other software interfaces (e.g., Edconnect, Blackbaud scholarship system, Campus Logic, California State Aid Commission Webgrants, etc.) required to manage financial aid funding sources effectively and efficiently for all students.
Serves on various University committees, collaborates with consultants and vendors, and works collaboratively with a variety of offices on campus including ITS (Information Technology Services), University Registrar, Admissions, Institutional Research, and others, as necessary. Assists the Executive Director in overall management of the Financial Aid & Scholarships office including systems and technology development and security, goal setting, policy making, planning, and improving organizational structure. Serves as a key member of the management team to promote productivity, collaboration, and coordination within and between all sections of the office and is responsible for the oversight of all financial aid systems, operations, and compliance, including institutional, federal, and state fund management, as well as data reporting. Assists the Executive Director in high-level matters to support the Financial Aid & Scholarships office. Conducts financial aid presentations for University personnel. Attends conferences, trainings, and workshops and disseminates the information to direct reports and other staff. Takes an active role in helping to embed the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of University work, in every division, and participates at least once annually in professional and/or leadership development opportunities that will contribute to campus efforts to advance racial and social justice in and through education at CSUCI and beyond.
Performs additional related duties as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required; master’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred. Five or more years of progressively responsible leadership experience in direct technical support of financial aid systems. Three years of performance management and staff development experience.
Demonstrated subject matter expertise with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)/Student Information System software in higher education. Demonstrated experience with functional business process development, enhancement, and documentation including the ability to gather functional requirements and coordinate testing of software upgrades, etc. Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to foster collaboration among functional and technical teams. Ability to effectively manage a broad range of high level and sensitive interpersonal situations with diverse personalities and cultural backgrounds and to respond compassionately to conflicts and problems. Demonstrated experience with PeopleSoft Financial Aid and/or Student Finance modules and knowledge of access roles and security in the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions environment. Demonstrated experience with scholarship management solutions such as Blackbaud Award Management (formerly Academic Works) and Campus Logic. Knowledge of federal and state financial aid and scholarship regulations and policies. Participation in professional associations related to student financial aid and student systems. Position may require some evening and weekend travel with advanced notice.
Employees cannot be in default of their Federal Student Loans as the Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG) Technical Support will block the incumbent from NSLDS access, which is required to perform the position responsibilities and duties.
A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.
** Review of applications will begin October 12, 2023 **
Hiring Range: $7,500 - $7,835 per month
