Position Summary
The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world.

Recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the top 10 community colleges in the nation(2021), Pierce College is an innovative, mission-driven, data-informed, and equity minded community college dedicated to helping all students achieve their academic and professional goals, with a focus on racial and social equity and justice.

Pierce College is seeking to fill four* (4)* full-time Financial Aid Program Specialist 2 positions. The vacancies are located across the Pierce College District.

The Financial Aid Program Specialist 2 position helps advance the equity-centered mission of Pierce College by delivering student financial aid advising to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities. In order to promote equitable student access and success, the incumbent will work with students to make financial aid processes transparent and help navigate/dismantle barriers to accessing aid (particularly those impacting students of color and other marginalized groups), as well as process applications, determine financial aid and loan eligibility, issue awards, provide information/referral for other funding sources, and perform other tasks related to the administration and implementation of the student financial aid programs. Additionally, the Program Specialist 2 is responsible for one or more federal/state/institutional financial aid programs. This position reports to the Financial Aid Manager and contributes to an engaged and supportive team with shared accountability.

About the District: The College enjoys a strong presence in the community and participates in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations. Want a feel for our District, take a peak with aerial campus views!

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom – Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340 acre community and recreational park, and Waughop Lake.

Pierce College Puyallup – Located on a luscious site with 125-acres of wooded land with beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM – Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military, and active duty families that are serving our county.

Pierce County: An amazing place to call home Pierce County stands out as one of the most beautiful and livable areas in the United States, offering its citizens the benefits of both rural and urban life in the Pacific Northwest. Both campuses command views of majestic Mount Rainier. The area's moderate climate, along with nearby mountains, forests, rivers, the Puget Sound, and Pacific Ocean, provide for many outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, kayaking, beach combing, biking, and golfing. At the same time, most of Pierce County is only minutes away from Tacoma or a short drive to Seattle where world- class cultural, arts, shopping and sporting activities abound. The area boasts an amazing array of housing options from urban condos to rural acreage and everything in between. Located in the heart of one of America's most amazing areas, Pierce County is a wonderful place to call home.

Essential Functions
Financial Aid and Customer Service Responsibilities:

*
Actively support, engage in, and work to advance Pierce College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.

• Determine eligibility for federal and state financial aid funding by interpreting and applying knowledge of regulations governing aid programs with an eye toward innovation and equitable access.
• Determine eligibility using multiple databases and award student loan applications.
• Analyze aid applications and construct student financial aid awards
• Evaluate academic progress and assist with academic petitions.
• Provide in-person, culturally responsive financial aid advising and counseling for students, parents, and others seeking information and assistance with all aspects of the financial aid application, eligibility, and disbursement process, while adjusting content to the level of background of each student/person being served.
• Demonstrate cultural humility and vulnerability in interactions with students and their families, as well as employees and the community in order to advance an inclusive environment.
• Release financial aid disbursements.
• Conduct financial aid workshops on- and off-campus in ways that engage and support our diverse community.
• Read, interpret, and implement federal and state regulations as well as institutional policy.
• Engage in professional development to learn new methods, procedures, and techniques.
• Provide information and assistance to applicants in completing financial aid applications.
• Work directly with students, families, and colleagues to identify issues and assist in finding solutions in a timely, professional manner, making referrals when appropriate.
• Counsel students and/or parents regarding strategies for financing higher education in order to advance equitable access to college and financial aid, particularly for marginalized students.
• Assist in placing financial aid payment holds.
• Review federal and state written updates and attend training and information meetings to maintain current knowledge of regulatory and institutional changes and policies relative to financial aid.

Program Responsibilities:

• Oversee assigned Financial Aid program for the Financial Aid department and create updates to program as necessary. Examples of programs include: Scholarships, Work Force, Opportunity Grant, and third party payments.
• Assist with determining additional outside funding programs, applicant eligibility, allocate funding, and monitor and reconcile expenditures.
• Update and track all necessary materials for program utilizing databases and other software when applicable.
• Monitor, track, and input federal and/or state expenditures.
• Perform reconciliation of funds and collaborate with others (cashiers, finance, supervisors) to resolve data discrepancies.
• Provide information and assistance to program participants, staff, and outside entities regarding program content, policies, and training.
• Serve as department program liaison and collaborate with other Pierce College departments regarding program applicants, outreach material, and additional questions/supports.
• Communicate with students about the program requirements and how to navigate those requirements.
• Assist in developing policies and procedures.

Community Participation:

• Support workshops and other informational activities for new student orientations, college fairs, high schools, and service organizations to promote access and awareness of financial aid resources.
• Serve on campus-wide committees to support and advance student success to the greatest extent possible.
• Present financial aid information sessions to college and community groups.

Additional Office Support:

• Contribute to an engaged and supportive financial aid team with shared accountability for success of students and the programs/department.
• Office duties such as scanning, filing, organization of paperwork, and/or training.
• Maintain desk manual.
• Other duties as assigned to support the mission, goals, and objectives of the college and department.

Qualifications
Required Education:

• GED or High School Diploma.

Required Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to engaging in the advancement of equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and to serving marginalized student and their families.
• Demonstrated experience maintaining records.
• Experience interpreting policies or procedures.
• Ability to perform data entry with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail in a high pressure, fast-paced environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty.

• Experience providing exceptional customer service

Special Requirements and/or Conditions of Employment:

• Must not be in default on any student loans.
• The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in this position.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Skillfully works effectively and efficiently to provide quality service to students and the public to satisfy student service expectations.
• Skilled in job-specific knowledge which is necessary to provide the appropriate quantity and quality of work in a timely and efficient manner.
• Critical, creative, reflective thinker who will question, search for answers and meaning; evaluates ideas and information and develop ideas that lead to action.
• Ability to communicate effectively exchanging messages in a variety of contexts using multiple methods.
• Ability to manage one’s time and priorities to ensure assignments are completed in a timely and effective manner.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities.
• Knowledge of open-mindedness, inclusion, multicultural perspectives, and multiple ways of knowing, thinking, and being.
• Actively supports and engages in Pierce College’s mission and core theme for equity, diversity, and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
• Ability to interact effectively with others to establish and maintain smooth working relationships.
• Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct, which contributes to the overall mission and goals; accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work; earns, trust, respect and confidence from the College community.
• Demonstrates appropriate depth of knowledge and skill in assigned area as well as Proficiency using MS Office.
• Skillfully earns the trust, respect and confidence of coworkers and customers through fairness, truthfulness, honesty, sensitivity, reliability and professionalism in all interactions; builds and maintains the trust of others; adheres to high standards of integrity and honesty.

Application Process

Application Requirements:
To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr.
• Apply for the specific job opening.
• Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. At Pierce College, we value culturally competent and compassionate individuals who bridge diverse backgrounds and perspectives in support of academic equity and excellence. In your cover letter, please address how you will support the mission of Pierce College to create quality educational opportunities for a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. Please include in your response how your previous education and/or professional experience contribute to your effectiveness in promoting a climate of student success for a diverse community of learners. (Cover Letter)
• Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience. (Résumé)
• Upload (attach) a list of at least two professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)

Provide a response to the following question (Supplemental Question):

1. In what ways have you integrated multicultural responsiveness as part of your professional development?

Special Note: To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

Terms of Employment:
These are four (4) full-time (40 hours per week) classified, overtime-eligible positions with Pierce College District. These positions are permanent after serving a 6-month probationary period. Occasional travel to Pierce College campuses or sites may occur. Work hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00p.m. Monday through Friday with occasional evenings and weekend work, and occasional travel as required. These positions may be subject to reassignment between campuses or sites.

Salary & Benefits:
The starting salary of this position is $3,734.00, with periodic increments up to $ 4,541.00 monthly (dependent upon qualifications). However, your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our Benefits and Leave website at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr- benefits

Physical Work Environment:
This position is required to work indoors in an open office environment, which requires visual concentration on detail, dexterity, precision, and is subject to frequent noise and interruptions. Occasional work from home may be permitted.

Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the District Human Resources Office by calling 253-964-7342. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Screening & Interview Process:
Only those candidates who have complied with the application process and meet the required qualifications will be considered. Following the review of application materials, the most qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview. Check the email account you used for the application process for communication regarding the status of your application. Application materials submitted to Pierce College are the property of the College and will not be returned.

Please note: This is a competitive selection process. Your application materials will be reviewed and evaluated based on the minimum qualifications listed for the position. Applicants whose qualifications most closely correspond to the District's needs will be eligible for further consideration.

Conditions of Employment
Pierce College is a “fully vaccinated campus” under the state’s higher education guidance, which means that COVID-19 vaccination (or allowable exemption) will be required for all employees and students. More information can be found here: Vaccination Requirements.

Prior to the start of employment, finalist(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check as a condition of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law RCW28B.112.

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the District to sponsor an H-1B visa. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.

Pierce College has adopted a Drug Free Workplace policy. As a condition of employment, employees must agree to abide by the requirements established in that policy.

Bargaining Unit:
This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Washington Public Employee Association (WPEA).

Equal Opportunity:
The Pierce College District is an equal opportunity employer. The Board of Trustees and Pierce College District are committed to providing equal opportunity and will not discriminate in terms and conditions of employment and personnel practices. Decisions are made without regard to race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal.

For more information about this position or assistance regarding your application, contact Human Resources at: jobs@pierce.ctc.edu

Questions regarding equal employment opportunities or discrimination may be directed to the following:

Sean Cooke, Title IX Coordinator
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, Washington 98498
(253) 840-8472

Tami Jacobs
ADACO/Section 504 Coordinator
(253) 964-6581

Holly Gorski
Vice President for Human Resources
(253) 964-6519

Paula Henson-Williams
District Affirmative Action Officer
(253) 864-3229

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr.
9401 Farwest Drive SW
Lakewood, WA 98498
253.964.7342
jobs@pierce.ctc.edu

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $44,808.00 - $53,100.00 per year

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