Join our team to help inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services.
Description
Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) is seeking applicants for a Financial Aid Outreach Specialist position at the Walla Walla campus.
At Walla Walla Community College, we inspire all students to discover their potential and achieve their goals by providing relevant, equitable, and innovative learning opportunities and services. We have identified three core themes that describe the fundamental aspects of the College's mission by translating it into practice: Student Success, Strong Communities, and Resource Stewardship. As an organization, we value learning opportunities, a sense of community, diversity, health and humor, excellence, integrity, teamwork, innovation, personal and professional growth, and sustainability.
General Description:
The Financial Aid Outreach Specialist will primarily work with high school students and staff in Walla Walla, Columbia and Asotin counties. The position is focused on educating students, families, communities and schools about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) (financial aid applications), the importance of filling out these forms, while walking students through the process and answering any questions with the end goal of more students enrolling in post-secondary education. The FA Outreach Specialist will need to be flexible with their schedules and make significant contact with seniors, families, and recent graduates to increase FAFSA/WASFA completion and access to scholarship and funding opportunities. This position will provide student financial aid counseling to prospective and currently enrolled Walla Walla Community College students.
Essential Functions:
Respectfully and effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds, helping complete the FAFSA or WASFA.
Contribute to the development and implementation of a financial aid outreach plan for local high schools that include state and federal financial aid, scholarships and financial literacy.
Provide complex counseling and assistance to students and their families in person, through email and over the phone, related to the process of applying for, receiving and utilizing financial aid and scholarships.
Develop and implement inclusive and accessible financial aid information sessions for recruitment and outreach efforts.
Collaborate with high school personnel to create effective financial aid communication and marketing content to reach high school seniors; have a thorough knowledge of federal financial aid policies related to Title IV.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the work, report outcomes, and identify and implement opportunities for continuous improvement.
Complete monthly outreach and recruitment reports
Effectively communicate and assist prospective and current students navigate admissions, financial aid and scholarship processes
Support recruitment events both on and off-campus
Assist in preparation of public presentations and be able to deliver information in a way that is appropriate to different audiences
Participate in professional development to stay current in state and federal financial aid regulations
Perform all other related duties as assigned
Competencies
Leverage cross-cultural experiences to assist others with bilingual/bicultural needs
Ability to flex communication style to multiple cultural environments
Strong proficiency in leveraging information systems to inform decision making and strategic action
Strong organizational skills
Time management and ability to effectively manage competing priorities
Contribute to cohesive and results-oriented team
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Possess the ability to take initiative and work independently
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Required Qualifications:
Any combination of education, experience and/or training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job may be considered by the college.
Bachelor's Degree or an Associate's Degree and two years' experience in higher education support service program, advising or coaching experience, with demonstrated ability to carry out projects and collaborate with work teams.
Demonstrated project management experience
Experience using workplace technologies (Microsoft Office and database programs)
Valid driver's license
Bilingual English/Spanish (written/oral) skills
Desired Qualifications
Experience in Financial Aid
Experience in case management and coaching in higher education
Understanding of trauma informed practice
Workshop, seminar, presentation, facilitator, or teaching experience
Evidence of ability to work under pressure, prioritize competing demands, and be flexible.
You don't check every qualification listed? Please apply anyway! Studies have shown that traditionally marginalized communities - such as women, LGBTQ+ and people of color - are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification - even if they might be a great fit for the role! If you're excited about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every single qualification in the job description, we encourage you to still consider applying.
Conditions/Terms of Employment
This position is in a bargaining unit for which AFT is the exclusive representative.
This is a full-time overtime eligible professional position. Persons hired must be able to provide acceptable documentation of lawful authorization to work in the United States within three (3) days of employment. WWCC participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Official college transcripts required at time of hire. Candidates may be subject to a criminal history background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check may not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. The college is a tobacco free institution.
This position requires the capability to lift up to 30 lbs. with or without the assistance of hands trucks or dollies. Attend meetings on and off campus, as scheduled, state/overnight travel may be required. Work is performed almost exclusively indoors in an office environment. Exposure to hazards is limited to those commonly found in office environments. This contract position work schedule will typically be Monday through Friday 8-hours each day. During the summer, work schedule is Monday through Thursday 10-hours each day.
Compensation:
Annual salary range for initial placement based on the represented exempt salary schedule: $56,650 - $64,094. The college has an excellent benefit program including paid sick leave; paid vacation leave; medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance; retirement and two optional deferred compensation programs. All full-time employees will automatically have 3% of taxable income deferred into the State of Washington Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). All administrative exempt staff set aside 1% of their gross salary in a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) (VEBA). All exempt employees are required to participate in this program. Walla Walla Community College requires all employees to participate in direct deposit for payment of salary.
Required Application Materials
This position is open until filled with priority consideration given to those applicants who submit a complete application by September 9, 2024 at 11:50 PM PST. To qualify for priority consideration, applicants must submit a complete application packet, which includes the following:
Online NEOGOV application.
Cover letter
In your cover letter please detail your interest in the Financial Aid Outreach Specialist position in our Enrollment Services department. Please describe any professional experience, training, or educational background that makes you an ideal candidate.
Resume
Names and contact information for three professional references
Answers to three (3) supplemental questions
Unofficial transcripts for application purposes; official transcripts are required prior to an official start date.
Please ensure you have attached all required application materials as you will not be able to attach any documents after you have submitted your application. If you have difficulty logging into your account, attaching documents, submitting your application, etc., please call NEOGOV Applicant Support at 1-855-524-5627 or email them directly at support@governmentjobs.com.
WWCC reserves the right to not fill this position, reject all applicants, or reopen the position. Applications received during this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies at the College's discretion.
Walla Walla Community College is committed to provide equal opportunity and nondiscrimination for all educational and employment applicants as well as for its students and employed staff, without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, including gender expression/identity, marital status, age (over 40), the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, the use of trained guide dog or service animal by a person with a disability, or status as a Vietnam and/or disabled veteran, National Guard member or reservist in accordance with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Federal Rehabilitation of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and any other applicable Federal and Washington State laws against discrimination. The Human Resources Office is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you need accommodations in the application/employment process, please contact the Human Resources Office at(509) 527-4224 - TDD (509) 527-4412, email personnel@wwcc.edu, address: 500 Tausick Way, Walla Walla WA, 99362.
