Job Description:

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Position Summary:

Rice University is seeking applications for a Veteran Services Specialist for the Jones Graduate School of Business (JGSB). As a member of JGSB's Student Financial Services team, the Veteran Services Specialist administers VA educational benefits as the primary School Certifying Official (SCO) for all graduate business students. This position advises current and prospective military-affiliated students in attaining VA educational benefits and is responsible for certifying enrollment and the maintenance and security of all veteran-affiliated student records.

The ideal candidate has excellent customer service experience and has a strong attention to detail. This position is best aligned with someone who has worked with veterans or in financial spaces before and has an appreciation for clarity, consistency, and processes.

Workplace Requirements

This position is offered as a hybrid role, combining both in-office and remote work to provide flexibility and support collaboration. One to two days of remote work opportunities are possibly extended to the candidate following the successful conclusion of the probationary period. Per Rice policy 440 , work arrangements may be subject to change.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree
  
  
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted.
  
  
• 1 year of professional work experience in an administrative setting

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, donors and staff
• Excellent phone and verbal communication skills
• Strong customer service skills
• Ability to work at a very detailed level, using numeric data with a high degree of speed and accuracy
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage time and workflow and to manage multiple, concurrent high priority projects in a time-pressured environment
• Ability to understand and explain university and federal policy to others
• Ability to work as an effective member of a team, identify and implement process improvements
• Ability to use multiple financial aid systems, document management systems, window-based environment and office applications
• Demonstrated analytical and quantitative skills, good judgment
• Must be flexible to perform a variety of interrelated tasks, sustained concentration, and use of reasoning, judgement, analytical ability and ingenuity

Preferences:

• 1+ years' experience in Financial Aid, Veteran's Affairs, Registrar, or related industry experience.
• Knowledge of the Banner operating system
• Knowledge of the VA education platform Enrollment Manager
• Advanced knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Experience working with graduate or professional degree seeking students

Essential Functions:

• Provides excellent customer service to eligible veterans, military students, and family members applying for and receiving Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits at Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business
• Serves as Veteran School Certifying Official for Jones Graduate School of Business
• Ensures all appropriate VA entitlement documentation is obtained from student
• Coordinates with applicable University departments (Registrar, Financial Aid, and Bursar's Office) to ensure timely and accurate processing of all VA benefits
• Provides one-on-one counseling for students to facilitate solutions and resolve complex issues regarding their Veteran Benefits
• Creates and presents information pertaining to Veteran Benefit application procedures to prospective and current students
• Develops and manages prospective / student-facing interfaces (websites, email communications, instructional videos, etc.) concerning Veteran Benefit information and updates
• Collaborates with University Bursar's Office to post and reconcile all benefit payments
• Manage VA Debt Management issues and refunds by auditing student accounts and contacting the VA for payment issues.
• Monitors the VA student's academic progress each term to ensure student is in compliance with the University's satisfactory academic progress (SAP) policy
• Serves as JGSB Point of Contact during Department of Veterans Affairs audits and State Approving Agency reviews
• Attends state and regional trainings as necessary to remain current on policies, procedures, and regulations specific to VA education benefits and programs
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits-overview

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to diversity at all levels. It considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

About Rice:

Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation's top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice's culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name - RICE - Responsibility, Integrity, Community and Excellence.

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