Program Administrator (Financial Aid -WCC)

Job Description:

Under general supervision of the Director of Student Financial Assistance (WCC), the Program Administrator (Financial Aid-WCC) administers the disbursement of financial aid funds at Westchester Community College. The Financial Aid funds administered are generally those provided under various Federal Title IV programs, New York State tuition assistance programs, and grants and guaranteed student loans programs. Financial Aid funds also include scholarships, as well as all other third-party reimbursement programs, such as those provided through corporate and government agencies. Responsibilities include developing all internal fiscal procedures to implement aid programs, internal controls, reporting for the various funding sources, as well as ensuring compliance with all external and internal regulations related to the various funding sources. Supervision is exercised over subordinate support staff within the Office of Student Financial Assistance. Does related work as required.

The successful candidate:

• Plans, implements and evaluates the college's financial aid disbursement programs, ensuring conformance to relevant laws, rules, regulations and procedures.
• Manages financial aid activities with other college departments to ensure established goals and objectives of financial aid disbursement programs are met and that financial aid services crossing divisions are efficiently coordinated.
• Develops policies and procedures to ensure full compliance with federal, state and private funding source mandates regarding financial aid disbursements.
• Consults with federal, state and corporate funding sources to define required fiscal procedures, and to develop required fiscal reports.
• Communicates to the college administration proposed financial aid disbursement changes and/or new fiscal requirements; analyzes and advises administrators on the impact of changes.
• Guides the development of new software applications to conform to the administrative requirements of federal, state and private funding sources.
• Coordinates the implementation of system updates to the college's student accounts receivable systems.
• Provides technical assistance to the Office of Student Financial Assistance staff as well as technical assistance to other staff that have related responsibilities.
• Establishes and maintains an annual calendar of events to schedule the multiple financial aid disbursements throughout the academic year.
• Prepares, reviews, and analyzes periodic reports to evaluate progress toward fiscal goals; prepares reports of findings.
• Develops financial aid disbursement analysis as specified by independent auditors.
• Provides oversight to the National Direct Student Loan program, including third party collection services employed by the college to collect delinquent student loans.
• Supervises and participates in all third-party tuition reimbursement billings.
• Provides financial resolution to disputed financial aid disbursements, i.e. eligibility under federal and state guidelines.
• Plans, coordinates and evaluates the work of assigned staff.
• Uses computer applications such as spreadsheets, word processing, calendar, e-mail and database software in performing work assignments.
• All other duties, as assigned.

Requirements:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:  It is required that the successful candidate possess a Bachelor's Degree and three years of experience where the primary function of the position was in the field of education, with at least one year of direct experience in the field of student financial aid at a post-secondary institution. 

Note: The satisfactory completion of 30 credits towards a Master's Degree may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of the required experience. In this case, candidates must possess the one year of direct experience in the field of student financial aid at a post-secondary institution.

The successful candidate must also possess thorough knowledge of the subject matter; ability to plan and supervise the work of others; ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and the ability to establish and maintain effective faculty, student, and administrator relationships.   

All candidates must have evidence of responsiveness to and an understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of non-traditional adult students, as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practice.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: It is preferred that the successful candidate possess: 

• A Master's Degree or higher.  
• Understanding, knowledge, and experience providing leadership for effective practices in accessibility services, or best practices for student success and retention, preferably in the community college sector.  
• Ability to collect, analyze, interpret, and present data.  
• Competence in the usage of PeopleSoft, Accommodate, Degree Works, Starfish, Bright Space, and Microsoft Office products.  
• Highly developed problem solving and conflict resolution skills.  
• A strong interest in building cooperative relationships. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage budgets and comprehensive departmental operations.  
• Bilingual verbal and written fluency.  

Additional Information:

POSITION EFFECTIVE:  The position will remain open until filled.

SALARY & BENEFITS: The starting salary for this position is $88,070. Additional compensation with seniority steps maximize at a salary of $116,892.  Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, a choice of defined benefit or defined contribution pension plan, generous leave benefits, and access to tax sheltered annuities and a deferred compensation plan. 

WORK SCHEDULE:  The work schedule is Monday - Friday, 9 am - 5 pm. Some evening and weekend hours might be required with ample notice. This is an on-campus position.

Application Instructions:

Applicants must apply online by submitting a letter expressing interest in this position, a resume/CV, and contact information for three professional references.  You must be legally eligible to work in the United States at the time of hire. Please login to:  https://sunywcc.interviewexchange.com/login.jsp in order to check/edit your profile or to upload additional documents.  The review of candidates will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.