Assistant Director of the Financial Aid Service Center
Job Description
About Onondaga Community College:
Onondaga Community College, located in Syracuse, NY, is a college of the State University of New York (SUNY) system and one of 30 locally sponsored community colleges throughout New York State. Onondaga County is our sponsor. We offer two-year degree programs that serve as transfer opportunities to baccalaureate degree programs at four-year campuses or for direct entry to the workforce. We also offer certificate programs that can generally be completed in one year. Onondaga is a diverse educational learning community. We are committed to creating and maintaining an atmosphere where individuality is not only recognized - but encouraged - to contribute to the fabric of the campus environment. We continue to serve the educational and economic development needs of the region and proudly boast more than 40,000 alumni.
Job Description:
BROAD FUNCTION
The Assistant Director of the Financial Aid Service Center (FASC) coordinates activities and functions of the FASC. The individual in this position will be responsible for management and continuous improvement of the FASC to ensure that the goals and objectives of the department are accomplished in accordance with established priorities, time limitations, funding parameters, or other specifications.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
- Manages the activities of the Financial Aid Service Center including day-to-day operations and scheduling; prioritizes and delegates work to Technical Specialists as deemed necessary and prudent to best meet the needs of the campus community and most importantly, students.
- Manages and supervises the Financial Aid Service Center. Assists students with their financial aid application process, from start to finish, aligned with best practices in Customer Service and Financial Aid.
- Assists students and families with any questions related to the financial aid process, including follow-up as needed to provide comprehensive and accurate customer service and information.
- Provides outreach and support to students, families, and college colleagues related to financial aid including group presentations, hands-on financial aid application completion workshops, one-on-one financial aid counseling, information requests from campus constituents, and financial literacy.
- Develops and facilitates workshops, meetings, or conferences within college community, coordinates logistics, scheduling, and participant communications.
- Oversees the assignment of scholarship aid to individual students as recipients are identified through Enrollment Management, the OCC Foundation, academic departments and/or other appropriate sources.
- Serves as the primary liaison for external financial support programs such as AmeriCorp, Educational Training Vouchers (ETV) and Foster Youth College Success Initiative Grant (FYCSI).
- Reviews requests for student special circumstances (including professional judgments, appeals, dependency overrides, etc.) and activities associated with these requests and modifies FAFSA records in conjunction with Title IV Professional Judgment regulations.
- Confers with and advises staff, students, and others to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions regarding goals and policy interpretations; refers to appropriate department or person when unable to respond.
- As part of the leadership team of the Financial Aid Office, sets measurable goals and objectives to improve current processes to serve students effectively to meet their educational goals.
- Develops and maintains innovative means of assisting students through the process of enrollment and is instrumental in creating ways to improve student retention/completion efforts.
- Evaluates the effectiveness of the Financial Aid Service Center in conjunction with the AVP of Enrollment Services to develop and implement improved methods; devises evaluation methodology and implements; analyzes results and takes proper action based on outcome.
- Performs continued research on best practices, related to financial aid, including changes in local, state, and federal regulations as well as continual learning in the area.
- Prepares periodic reports and records activities for the Financial Aid Service Center; prepares progress, status or other special reports for management or outside agencies as requested.
- Participates in cross-departmental functions, throughout the College community, sometimes outside of normal business hours (ex. Open House, Financial Aid nights at local high school, community based Financial Aid events, etc.).
- Develops, compiles, and writes communications for distribution.
- Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned within the scope of the position.
Requirements:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or foreign equivalency.
- Three (3) years working in a college environment, with at least one (1) year working with financial aid.
- Two (2) years in a supervisory capacity.
- Experience working in a customer service role.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master's Degree from an accredited college or university or foreign equivalency.
- Experience working in a higher education environment.
- Demonstrated effective communication skills, both orally and in writing.
- Bilingual in English and Spanish. English and other languages will be considered.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Ability to act and rely on professional judgment to make timely decisions.
- Knowledge of issues about student service/enrollment functions at a higher education institution.
- Ability to learn about and use the tools necessary to support the financial aid needs of students.
- Ability to work independently, effectively, and efficiently.
- Demonstrated skill and ability with technology, including software applications.
- Ability to effectively work with others to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students.
- Ability to work efficiently in a high-demand, team-oriented, and fast-paced environment.
- Knowledge of conflict resolution techniques and the ability to manage stressful situations.
- Ability to manage and direct projects.
- Commitment to the public education mission of a community college.
Additional Information:
- Salary range is: $53,240 - $66,550, commensurate with credentials and relevant experience.
- Onondaga Community College offers a generous and competitive benefits package including:
- New York State Local Retirement System (pension) or TIAA enrollment (403b).
- Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance plans (qualifying domestic partner included).
- Onondaga Community College participates in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for eligible borrowers.
Application Instructions:
- To be considered, please submit a resume and cover letter at time of application.
- The three (3) references listed on the application must be professional references.
- Only the finalist's references will only be contacted, and after a final interview.
- Offers are contingent with the completion of a background check, and official transcripts are required upon hire.
- Please contact hr@sunyocc.edu if you have questions
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