About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges—North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College—and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees 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.¿

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates

• Promotional Opportunities

• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans

• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

• Transportation benefits

• Tuition Waivers

• PEBB Wellness Plan

• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

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Seattle Colleges is looking to hire a Director of Financial Aid Awards Management and Compliance in the District Financial Aid Department.

Salary Range for this position is $82,438/yr. to $113,766/yr. (DOE)¿

Initial review of application materials will begin on Monday, 2/29/2024.

Position Summary

This position will oversee the federal and state financial aid fund reconciliation, reporting, and program file transmissions. This position acts as the program liaison and consultant to awards management team, campus and district financial aid leaders and team. This position is responsible for independently providing technical assistance in transmitting, receiving, and reconciliation federal and state financial aid funds between U.S. Department of Education, Washington Student Achievement Council, the District’s Student Management System and General Ledger within ctcLink. This role is responsible for coordinating all required accounting and reconciliation, fund drawdowns are documented and completed timely.

Supervision of team with responsibility for file review, awarding federal, state, and institutional aid programs, and program fund reconciliation. This role will ensure fund management and reporting compliance requirements are met.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume

• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

• Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online.¿¿

Note that the Seattle Colleges District does not sponsor work visas and does not reimburse relocation expenses incurred by new hires.

Notice to Applicants:
Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

What you will be working on:

• Fund Management, Data Integrity, and Compliance

• Manages and oversees business processes and financial aid information systems to ensure compliance is met with reporting and timelines

• Review and analyze applications & data received via the Electronic Data Exchange software from the Department of Education and Washington Student Achievement Council

• Responsible for addressing and resolving technical and programmatic issues with the U.S. Department of Education, State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, and our IT Department in order to ensure compliance with regulations pertaining to data retrieval, processing, and retention while providing technical assistance to other staff within the department

• Manages the maintenance and organization of archive data/reports required for program review and compliance with the U.S. Department of Education and the Washington Student Achievement Council

• Train other users to create queries using PeopleSoft Query and other Business Intelligence and data analysis tools

• Maintain expertise and up-to-date knowledge of all Federal and State regulations for financial aid programs so the department can plan and react positively to constantly changing Federal, State, and institutional regulations and guidance

• Develop internal controls and quality assurance procedures for the funds management

• Prepare documentation for State and Federal audits.¿Develop documents and forms needed for the program

• Transmits application and correction data to and from the federal processor. Transmits Pell Grant origination and disbursement records to and from the federal COD. Transmits transfer monitoring data to federal NSLDS system. Assists with troubleshooting and resolving transmission and/or data problems

• Direct the distribution and reconciliation of campus-based program budgets; Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG) and Federal Work-Study (FWS)

• Gathers information related to the delivery of funds, hold on funds, applicants, and refers pertinent information to Executive Director

• Assist with completion & final reconciliation of required monthly and annual reports, may include FISAP, Unit Record Report, WA State Aid reporting, Seattle Promise reporting, etc

• Reconcile expenditures of financial aid and scholarship accounts and resolve discrepancies

• Identify reconciliation reports and provide to staff on regular basis for timely and accurate reconciliation

• Oversee system to accurately determine status and communications according to individual student records

• Oversee matching of applications to student records and communications to unmatched records

• Maintain consolidated internal job schedule that guides annual and quarterly processing

• Review unique reports with staff that can assist in their programmatic processing

• Operate system controls that support compliance with financial aid program regulations Management of Financial Aid Fund Compliance Team

• Create, maintain, and update training materials for teams completing file review, financial aid customer service, financial aid outreach, and system navigation

• Directs policies, processes and supervises staff regarding federal regulations and compliance

• Streamlines financial aid processes for optimization, including R2T4 processing, disbursement authorizations, etc

• Hires, assigns, and evaluates staff. Oversees professional development activities. Ensures personnel maintain required certifications, qualifications, and current knowledge in the field

• Leads the development, implementation, and oversight of policies, procedures, and processes related to the delivery of federal and state student financial aid

• Assists in the disbursement of federal student aid; Performs revisions to financial aid awards due to changes in enrollment status, requests for changes in award and other special projects

• Guides and advises students and prospective students concerning financial aid programs

• Explains complex policies and procedures and answers questions

• Oversee the student level data and program funding reconciliation, to include billing requirements, data clean-up, verification, and submission of reports on time and in required formatting

• Responsible for keeping abreast of new federal and state initiatives and making recommendations regarding implementation; maintain auditable records of aid awards, aid adjustments, appeals requests and documentation, in accordance with state and federal regulations

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this description.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Excellent student-centered customer service, outstanding interpersonal skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail

• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of working to remove barriers for historically marginalized communities and students

• Bachelor’s Degree

• Four (4) years of experience with student financial aid, student development services, or related field

• Experience interpreting policies/procedures based on government regulations

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Federal and state resources available for training and compliance, including network of financial aid associations and annual conferences

• Systems used for processing, communicating, and overseeing student financial aid eligibility

DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO:

• Respectfully and effectively communicate and work with people from diverse backgrounds including racial, ethnic, religious, linguistic, gender, age, socio-economic, and sexual orientation, and with diverse physical and learning abilities

• Understand and interpret detailed information and trouble shoot and problem solve academic and systems issues, with attention to detail

• Understand, interpret and apply complex federal regulations, and conduct research

• Think critically, be proactive, and take initiative

• Communicate clearly, collaboratively, and consistently

• Meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work

• Lead a team comprised of completed in-person, hybrid, and remote settings

• Work evenings and weekends

• Must not be in default on any student loans

Physical Requirements:

The Position

• typically works in an office environment and uses a computer, telephone and other office equipment as needed to perform duties. The noise level in the work environment is typical of that of an office

• encounters frequent interruptions throughout the workday

• is regularly required to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion with or without reasonable accommodation

Disability Accommodation

Persons with disabilities have the right to reasonable accommodation in all aspects of employment with Seattle Colleges. This includes, but is not limited to, recruitment, application, interviewing, hiring, training, termination, conditions of employment, and any other employer-supported activities. Applicants requesting accommodation should contact Human Resources.¿

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of “bullying” behaviors, including “cyberbullying”.

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the college’s Director of Compliance: 1500 Harvard Avenue Seattle, WA 98122-3803 (206) 934-3873 compliance@seattlecolleges.edu

Background Check Statement

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. In addition to the background check, candidates will complete Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form WA HB2327 as required.