Financial Aid Outreach Specialist (2 Positions)

Columbia Basin College ("CBC" or the "College") seeks 2 individuals that are passionate about student success, developing relationships, creating impact, and inspiring students for the future.  These individuals will need to be flexible with their schedules to meet the changing demands of students and their families and be able to think on their feet to deal with ambiguous situations.  The positions of Financial Aid Outreach Specialists are focused on educating students, families, communities and schools about the FAFSA and 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.  We are seeking collaborative individuals capable of navigating a variety of audiences, driven to help students envision the possibilities of higher education (training on financial aid will be provided).  This position will work with the schools and within assigned high schools, the CBC Campus community and community events.  This position reports to the Director for Student Recruitment.  

This position is open until filled.  Priority consideration will be given to applicants whose complete application has been received by April 16, 2023 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.  

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a financial outreach plan for the K-12 system that includes state and federal financial aid, scholarships, and financial literacy;
• Represent CBC by interpreting and communicating complex financial aid, waiver and scholarship information in easy-to-understand language to prospective college students and their families; 
• Provide individual counsel and advice to students and/or parents in person, through email and over the phone, related to the full process of applying for, receiving and utilizing financial aid and scholarships; 
• Develop and present inclusive and accessible information financial aid sessions for various in-person, hybrid, and virtual-only recruitment and outreach efforts;  
• Identify creative and innovative ways to reach students and families, with special attention to reaching historically underserved communities and first-generation college students with the end goal of more students enrolling in post-secondary education; 
• Engage in other outreach as appropriate with students and families, announcements on school intercoms and social medial channels, outreach to recent high school graduates as peer messengers, and events at school, college or career fairs; 
• Partner with high school personnel to create meaningful and effective communication and marketing content as part of a service-based recruitment programming in the high schools; have a thorough knowledge of federal financial aid policies related to Title IV and solid understanding of available resources;   
• Utilize data maintained by the student achievement council to conduct targeted outreach to high school students; 
• Interface and collaborate with K-12 administration, counselors, instructors, school district principals, specialized staff and support staff as necessary and appropriate to ensure a coordinated financial aid outreach effort; 
• Complete monthly outreach and recruitment reports;
• Completes assigned special projects and/or program responsibilities based on operational necessity and individual experience and skills; 
• Participate in professional development to stay current in professional field; and
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s Degree from an institutionally accredited college or university;
• Highly motivated, self-starter, flexible and adaptable;
• Developed skill in written and verbal communication including experience with large group presentations/training; 
• Familiarity with electronic technology and media and demonstrated skills in Microsoft Office and Internet research tools.
• Bilingual and bi-literate in Spanish and English; and 
• Must have or be able to obtain at the time of hire, a valid driver’s license and be insurable.

Desired Qualifications:

• At least one (1) year (consecutive 12 months) of experience in student services or related education experience;
• Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines while being attentive to details;
• Prior experience with providing presentations/workshops;
• Demonstrated experience developing strong collaborative relationships with colleagues, students, parents and external constituencies; and
• Experience working with and supporting underserved students including low income, first-generation, and students of color.

COMPETENCIES: 

Accuracy:   Monitor accuracy of own work; recognize and corrects errors; maintain accurate records; accomplish tasks thoroughly through concern for all the areas involved, no matter how small;
 
Accountability: Accountable for own actions, decisions, errors, mistakes and/or failures to act when appropriate; accept responsibility when given, understand what duties employee is responsible for and can be counted upon to carry out those responsibilities;
 
Analytical Skills: Synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data; design work flows and procedures;
 
Attitude Toward Progress & Change: Cooperate and support change and new processes; acceptance and quality performance throughout change;
 
Oral & Written Communication: Speak clearly and persuasively in positive and negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings; structure and convey information clearly and effectively through both formal and informal documents; review and edit written work constructively; ability to tailor to audience in mind;
 
Resourceful & Entrepreneurial: Consistently focus on end results and find most effective way to achieve goals and objectives; act on opportunities; take calculated risks; generate non-routine, non-traditional actions to overcome obstacles and achieve results;
 
Student Centered: Attention, interest, activities and efforts are centered upon the best interest of students; create and support an environment that enables learners to achieve their personal, academic, and professional goals; provide courteous and helpful responses to all customers, whether they be students, general public or employees from another department;
 
Support for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: Reflecting CBC’s mission, vision and values, support initiatives that expand the human qualities that differentiate our workplace and educational setting.  Demonstrate and advocate an understanding of differences, open mindedness, compassion, sensitivity and interest in differing viewpoints given the diverse population and show a deep commitment to the involvement of colleagues, students and community members to student experience and success honoring freedom of expression as fundamental to personal, professional and organizational growth;
 
Teamwork: Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism, and to cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the "Yes And" culture, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity); and
 
Willingness to Learn: Open to learning new methods, obtaining certifications, attending training; participate in cross-training opportunities when assigned; suggest and/or researches new methods; proactively look for training opportunities that would better the position and/or department.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

This is a twelve (12) month per year, full-time, state funded exempt position under a state-initiative and pilot program.  It is an overtime eligible position and the typical work hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; however, work hours will vary due to work demands and some evening and weekend work may be required.

PROCESS NOTE:

Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. 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.
 
Additionally, pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080, applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or are currently being investigated for, or have left a position during an investigation into, a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicant’s current or past employer. By law, post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who refuses to declare the existence or non-existence of an investigation or findings subject to this statute.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

In the interest of providing a healthy, safe and secure educational and work environment, and in order to meet the requirements of federal legislation, it is the policy of Columbia Basin College to maintain an alcohol and drug-free workplace for our employees and students. The position is directly engaged in the performance of work on a federal/state contract or grant which requires compliance with the College's Drug-Free Workplace Policy as well as reporting requirements, as a condition of employment. 

If you are hired, you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate authorization to work in this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1986.

Columbia Basin College operates under an approved affirmative action plan and encourages applications from persons of color, women, veterans and persons of disability. The Human Resources Office is accessible to those with disabilities. If you need accommodation in application or employment, contact the Human Resources Office at (509) 542-4740.

OTHER JOB ELEMENTS:

The working conditions listed below represent those that must be met by an incumbent to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to sit, stand, bend, kneel, stoop, communicate, reach and manipulate objects. The position requires mobility including having the ability to move materials on a regular basis such as files, books, office equipment, etc. and travel between buildings on campus. Manual dexterity and coordination are required to operate equipment such as computer keyboard, calculator, and standard office equipment.
 
Work environment includes office and other settings as appropriate. Work will be performed within an assigned high school as well as on the CBC campus as scheduled.   The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.  Willingness and ability to travel and work a flexible schedule, including nights and weekends is a requirement.

Salary : $53,174 - $58,492