Program Specialist II - Student Funding

Bellingham Technical College invites applications for one full-time, regular classified position as Program Specialist II for Workforce Funding. Position is anticipated to begin in mid-July, 2023. This position reports to the Executive Director, Student Financial Resources.
 
The Program Specialist provides programmatic leadership and budgetary support for BTC’s student funding programs within the Student Financial Resources office. Funding programs include and are not limited to: Worker Retraining, Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET), WorkFirst, Opportunity Grant, Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) and Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG). Assisting the Executive Director with developing policies and procedures to ensure that the institution remains in compliance with requirements and guidelines for each program. Works closely with the Executive Director with the development and evaluation of complex budgets, utilizing advanced features in Microsoft Excel. Maintains fiscal requirements such as monitoring expenditures, completing billing procedures and reporting. Participates in the submission of annual grant applications which includes preparing estimated budgets and narrative descriptions detailing how programs are administered. Monitoring data to support the academic and financial success of students who are served by Workforce Funding Grants. Works closely with financial aid staff for processing student funds within allowable amounts and maintain working knowledge of funding limitations in conjunction with financial aid regulations. Strong technical skills, expertise with Excel, and problem-solving are critical for this position.
 
Bellingham Technical College is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and staff who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a successful and supportive learning environment for a diverse college student population with a wide-range of backgrounds and experiences.

• Assist with oversight and support for grant reporting and other budget management for multiple grant programs.
• Responsible for developing reports, data and statistics related to financial aid student records.
• Monitor expenditures using reports from various systems and advanced features in Excel to ensure spending remains within allocations and funding limits.
• Maintain a working knowledge of policies and ensure compliance with all relevant standards for individual funding programs.
• Ensure all processes and expenditures follow program and fiscal requirements as outlined in grant guidelines.
• Using electronic filing systems and databases, maintain accurate and updated records of student information and financial records.
• Monitor student eligibility throughout the quarter and ensure students are accurately coded in multiple systems.
• Develop and maintain policy and procedure documentation for BFET program and support development of documentation for other WFF programs.
• Develop and implement collaborative strategies for recruiting, retaining and graduating identified grant recipients.
• Assist with identifying strategies that support increased participation in WFF programs.
• Collaborate with partner agencies such as the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the Washington Employment Security Department, WorkSource Washington and The Opportunity Council in supporting financial resources, childcare, and employment opportunities.
• Participate in Workforce Funding & Student Support initiatives, and work as a team member to continually assess and improve services.
• Document contacts and activities with students, including through the DSHS E-Jas database and other systems.
• May assist other staff with outreach activities both on and off campus and coordinate planning and support within the larger Student Services division.
• Promote BTC as well as student funding programs on campus and in the community.
• Work within an environment of cooperation and support where creativity and innovation are encouraged.
• Utilize suite of MS Office products, student monitoring systems and other software accurately and effectively. 
• Represent the Student Financial Resources office at meetings on and off campus.
• Work with diverse populations of current and prospective students and their families.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate’s degree or higher from an accredited institution.
• Minimum three years of applicable experience. 
• Experience or demonstrated competency with problem solving and managing financial records and maintaining compliance with regulations.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to navigate multiple systems and applications.
• Demonstrated experience with advanced features in Excel for fiscal purposes.

 OR

• A combination of education, experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job will be considered. (Applicable or equivalent experience includes demonstrated competency with problem solving, managing financial records and maintaining compliance with rules/regulations, or equivalent; strong computer skills with the ability to navigate multiple systems and applications; Experience developing and/or managing projects or programs). 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in business, education, human services, or a related field.
• Proven commitment to cultural diversity and student success, and experience working with diverse groups.
• Background in budget management.
• Experience working in a college setting.
• Experience developing and/or managing projects or programs.
• Working knowledge of how programs such as DSHS/Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Basic Food, WorkSource, and Employment Security function in conjunction with various educational options.
• Experience with Worker Retraining, BFET, WorkFirst, and/or Opportunity Grant.
• Experience with student career and academic advising; assessing and analyzing participants’ needs, skills, and goals.

Physical Work Environment:
Shared open office setting which requires the ability to position self and operate a computer for long periods of time during the work shift; Regular keyboarding and using a computer mouse or equivalent assistive technology; Frequent need for oral, written, and auditory communication; Working with frequent in-person interactions and numerous interruptions and distractions. Work under pressure, handle multiple tasks and prioritize competing demands. May require some local and state travel.Compensation and Work Schedule:
Salary is in accordance with the negotiated agreement with the Bellingham Education Support Team (BEST), Range 10, $4,151 per month ($23.86 per hour, $49,812 annual), with annual increments to $5,214 per month ($29.97 per hour, $62,568 annual) after five years of BTC experience in this position. A cost-of-living increase is anticipated effective July 1, 2023. If approved, the rate will increase appropriately.
 
Leave is subject to the BEST negotiated agreement which currently expires June 30, 2023. Currently, this position receives 8 hours per month of sick leave and starts with 10.67 hours per month (16 days per year) of vacation leave, 24 hours of personal leave and 12 paid state/college holidays per calendar year.  The vacation leave and personal leave are available after successful completion of a 180 calendar day probationary period.  Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and long-term disability; a retirement benefits package, with choice between the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or 3, up to five days of bereavement leave, depending on relative, up to 3 days birth/adoption leave, military leave per RCW 38.40.060 and paid civil/jury duty.  Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in a medical Flexible Spending plan, Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan, or Health Savings Account; Dependent Care Assistance; auto and homeowners insurance discounts, employee only tuition waiver assistance; and two voluntary investment (not matched) programs - TIAA (403b) or the State Deferred Compensation (457) plan.  
 
The regular work schedule is generally Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., but may be scheduled during the 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. workday; schedule may vary, especially around quarter start and end and peak dates, and may require some overtime hours.  The position will be expected to work onsite full-time with the possibility of some limited remote or flexible work arrangements.  
 
Application Procedures and Deadline:
Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at http://www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on June 2, 2023, for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354.  You will be contacted if selected for an interview.  At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visa's.
 
Required Online Application Materials:

• Completed Online BTC Employment Application
• Online Supplemental Questions

Examination Requirements:
All applicants are required to complete the online Supplemental Questions, which will be scored. Each supplemental question must have an answer to be scored.  Be sure to repeat information in a supplemental question if it is required by more than one question. Software such as Microsoft Office Software, and/or other examinations may be administered for finalists.
 
Bargaining Unit:
The position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Bellingham Educational Support Team (BEST).
 
Interviews are anticipated to be held between June 14-16, 2023.

Salary : $4,151 - $49,812