What are the responsibilities and job description for the Program Specialist 2 - Financial Aid State Grants position at Columbia Basin College?
Description
Columbia Basin College ("CBC" or the "College") seeks a Program Specialist to oversee and administer Washington State financial aid programs, athletic scholarships and private student loans and interpret and apply federal, state and institutional financial aid rules and regulations in determining student eligibility for financial aid funding. This position will provide customer service and complex student financial aid program information to students, staff and the public from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds. The Program Specialist reports to the Assistant Director for Financial Aid.
This position closes on July 12, 2026 @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
If you have questions or need assistance during the application or search process, please contact the recruiter for this position, Denise Cook at dcook@columbiabasin.edu or (509) 542-4407.
Primary Responsibilities
- Independently oversee and perform all functions pertaining to Washington State financial aid programs (including but not limited to WA College Bound Scholarship, WA College Grant-Apprenticeships, Passport Scholarship, WA State Opportunity Scholarship and National Guard Grant), athletic scholarships and private student loans. This includes managing funding allocations, determining student eligibility, running necessary processes, generating and analyzing reports, and creating, modifying and reconciling awards;
- Ensure institutional compliance with federal and state financial aid awarding rules and regulations and advise the financial aid director and assistant director in recommendations updating office policies and procedures;
- Act as department and program liaison with Washington Student Achievement Council, Washington State Opportunity Scholarship staff, private lenders and other internal and external partners by providing consultation regarding student award information and process improvement;
- Coordinate regularly with other departments including Accounting Services, Counseling and Advising and Student Records to share student data required to determine eligibility for state financial aid programs and private student loans;
- Serve as backup to the staff member responsible for administering scholarship programs by back-filling all required program functions and processes as needed;
- Analyze and evaluate student applicant data by applying extensive knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid programs including review of satisfactory academic progress for aid;
- Perform federal verification of student and parent information, including income/assets, as part of file review for a selection of student applicants;
- Construct student aid awards, adhering to internal awarding policies and maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations;
- Provide in-depth customer service to students, the public and other staff within the institution regarding all matters related to financial aid and deliver periodic on-campus and community financial aid presentations; and
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education/training/experience; and
- Two (2) years of full-time clerical experience.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university; and
- Experience working in higher education.
Skills and Abilities
Analytical Skills: Synthesize complex or diverse information; collect and research data; use intuition and experience to complement data; design work flows and procedures;
Customer Service Skills: Manage difficult or emotional customer situations; respond promptly to customer needs; solicit customer feedback to improve service; respond to requests for service and assistance; meet commitments;
Dependability: Follow instructions, respond to management direction; take responsibility for actions; keep commitments and complete tasks on time or notify appropriate person with an alternate plan;
Oral Communication: Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; listen and get clarification; respond well to questions; demonstrate group presentation skills; participate in meetings;
Problem Solving Skills: Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner; gather and analyze information skillfully; develop alternative solutions; work well in group problem solving situations; use reason even when dealing with emotional topics;
Professionalism: Ability to approach others in a tactful manner; react well under pressure; treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accept responsibility for own actions; follow through on commitments;
CBC Shared Commitments: Demonstrate a willingness to work with, and help others in completing job assignments, the ability to accept constructive criticism and cooperate with fellow employees and supervisors; demonstrate alignment with the CBC Shared Commitments, (e.g., being present and listening, making each other look good, embracing change and failure and choosing positivity); and
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.
Terms of Employment
This position is a full-time, overtime eligible classified staff position. The typical work hours for this position are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., however, must be available to work a flexible schedule when prior notice is given by the College. This position is available immediately.
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.
**Please note that selected interview candidates will be subject to supplemental testing that will measure skills and abilities related to this position (e.g., Communication, Analytical Skills, MS Office Simulation [Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Word], Customer Service, etc.).
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.
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 is unable to sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas (e.g., H-1B) at this time. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship.
CBC is an equal opportunity employer and complies with the letter and spirit of all federal and state laws. CBC encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or other legal protected characteristics. Candidates who need any accommodation in the application process or in employment should contact the Office of Human Resources.
Other Job Elements:
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described below are representative of those that must be met and may be encountered by an incumbent when performing the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with qualified disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands:
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.
Working Conditions:
Usual office working conditions. The noise level in the work area is typical of most office environments with telephones, personal interruptions, and background noises.
Union Clause:
This is a bargaining unit position represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA). Internal promotional, transfer and voluntary demotion applicants who have skills and abilities to perform the duties of the position will be considered prior to consideration of other applicants.