Position Summary:

The Director of Financial Aid provides strategic direction and leadership for the Office of Financial Aid, analyzes the effectiveness of the financial aid strategy, and recommends and implements strategic changes in a comprehensive financial aid program designed to address the recruitment and retention goals of the University. The Director is responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal, State, Institutional and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) regulations and maintains a student service-centered philosophy for the operation of the Office of Financial Aid. The Director also conducts research and data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of program goals and operations.

Specific Job Duties (Essential Functions and Responsibilities):

Oversight of Financial Aid Office & Title IV Compliance

Ensures compliance with all U.S. Department of Education laws, policies, and procedures for the awarding of financial aid.
Provides overall supervision, coordination, strategic planning and policy development of the student financial aid programs.
Establishes short and long term departmental goals and objectives based on current trends and best practices to meet institutional priorities.
Plans, supervises and assesses financial aid operations for the institution.
Develops, supports and maintains a close collaborative relationship with various units on campus and off campus entities.
Establishes written policies and procedures to effectively and efficiently monitor and maintain all NCAA Division II rules and regulations pertaining to the administration of all financial aid for student athletes.
Complies with all NCAA Div. II outlined principles, ethical codes of conduct and best practices as outlined in Addendum A.
In addition to ensuring compliance with federal, state, institutional and NCAA regulations, ensures compliance with financial aid requirements of the institution’s accrediting bodies.
Plans and directly administers the department’s annual operating budget.
Oversee reconciliation of financial aid funds internally and externally as required.
Directs and oversees the development, implementation, access, and maintenance of financial aid technology systems.
Oversees the hiring, training and professional development, supervision and evaluation of all financial aid staff and provides cross-training to other departments as needed.
Coordinates with the Prison Education Program to identify, verify and allocate Second Chance Pell and Incarcerated Pell funds according to U.S. Department of Education regulations for PEP programs.
Represents the department on all assigned and related institutional committees.
Provides reports and develops research to support institutional student recruitment and retention strategies and other student-centered service goals.
Serves as primary departmental representative to external regulatory agencies.
Need to have working knowledge of processing, verification, R2T4, SAP policies, unofficial withdrawals, and other procedures to ensure compliance.
Other duties as assigned.

Departmental Services

Problem solve, answer questions and address concerns from university and departmental staff.
Develop and maintain a centralized process for streamlining, awarding and distribution of scholarships to students.
Coordinate Financial Aid Office and One Stop staff schedules/coverage.
Assess and monitor student, faculty and staff, and stakeholder inquiries at the Financial Aid Office and One Stop.
Verify appropriate documentation of various student requirements for admissions, financial aid, billing and records.
Make recommendations to improve processes and communication to better serve students and the campus as a whole.

Outreach

Assist the Scholarship Coordinator with demonstrations, orientations, or presentations to students, parents and college staff; provide financial aid and student account/billing presentations to the university community, high schools, junior colleges, minority groups, and other requested external presentations such as financial aid nights, new student orientation, etc.
Accept referrals from the Welcome Center/Admissions Office; provide appointments for financial aid/recruitment counseling and advising on financial aid eligibility and processing for students and their parents.
Determine messaging to students and families around financial aid and the FAFSA; communicate with students (potential and current), parents, alumni, college staff, and third parties.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in business or a related field.
Seven years (min.) of progressively responsible experience in financial aid administration.
Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of federal financial aid programs and trends in higher education.
Demonstrated ability to lead, supervise, and manage in a team environment.
Knowledge of and experience with integrated financial aid technology.
Experience with MS Office, Google Apps, or similar platforms.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to provide quality service, to communicate and collaborate with diverse constituencies, and to build working relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff and external stakeholders.
Excellent written and verbal communications and analytical skills.
Ability to treat others with respect, civility, and courtesy and to work honestly, effectively, and collegiality with employees, students, and the community.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s degree in business administration, higher education administration or related area.
Experience with Workday ERP.
An extensive working knowledge of state financial aid programs.
Prior successful experience in office administration and management.
Active affiliation in financial aid related professional organizations.

Salary and Benefits:

$82,344-$93,660 annually; salary is commensurate with education, qualification, and experience.

In addition to salary, Adams State University offers a competitive benefits program including medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. For detailed benefits information please visit https://www.adams.edu/hr/benefits/

Applications & Required Documents

Priority will be given to applications submitted prior to September 1, 2024, however the position will remain open until filled. To apply submit the required application materials through Adams State University’s Workday application portal.

Completed applications should include the following:

Letter of application, explicitly describing: interest and qualifications for the position, your leadership and/or administrative experience, how serving in the role of Director of Financial Aid at a small HSI with a sizable population of first-generation university students set in a rural environment align with your interests/experience and professional goals
Current resume/vita
Names and contact information of three professional references, including a current/past supervisor.
Unofficial or official transcripts from all post-secondary education institutions attended (official transcripts required upon hiring).
A list of five references: name, job title, and contact information (email, phone), and a brief description of your relationship with the referee.

For questions, contact:
Margaret Doell, search committee chair: mjdoell@adams.edu

Adams State University is a state-supported, regional comprehensive university located in the San Luis Valley of Southern Colorado and the city of Alamosa. As the state’s premier Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), over 50 percent of its undergraduate students represent racially diverse backgrounds. A high percentage of undergraduate students are first-generation and Pell eligible. The university offers undergraduate programs in the arts and humanities, physical and natural sciences, mechanical engineering and computer science, social sciences, kinesiology, fine arts, business, and nursing, and specializes in educator preparation in several disciplines. Adams State also offers graduate degrees in cultural resource management, public administration, music education, kinesiology, higher education administration and leadership, history, business (MBA), and educator programs, including counselor education; the university also has a doctoral (PhD) program in counselor education. The university has an active athletic program. The Adams State Grizzlies athletic teams compete under the auspices of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC).

The institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff. We are working to diversify our faculty and staff and especially encourage applications from women, BIPOC, LGBTQ+ community members, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically-underrepresented populations. We will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings; persons who possess varied language skills, a record of successful experience in engaging and supporting diverse communities/student populations; and job seekers who can contribute to equity, diversity, and inclusion initiatives. The successful candidate will join a campus that is dedicated to inclusive excellence and acknowledges Adams State’s purpose to foster the educational goals of its students and the well-being of the surrounding community.

We recognize that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply if you can demonstrate many of these skills and competencies.

Disclosures:

In compliance with the Immigration Control Act of 1968 candidates for positions must provide proof of eligibility to work before an offer of employment can be made final.

About Alamosa, Colorado

Located in the beautiful San Luis Valley between the San Juan and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges, Alamosa is situated within the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. Set at an elevation of 7,500 feet in the largest interalpine valley in the United States, our city is located approximately 3.5 hours from Denver, 1.5 hours from Taos, New Mexico, and 2.5 hours from Santa Fe, New Mexico. Alamosa has a population of 9,500, with recently built elementary schools, a moderate cost of living, and affordable housing. Adams State University takes a leading role in local theatre performances and musical events and is in an area where the opportunities for outdoor recreation abound.

Adams State University is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff and visitors, and to protecting its funds, property and other assets. Well-informed hiring decisions contribute to this effort. Therefore, Adams State University has adopted a policy on background screening for its prospective, continuing, and returning employees as well as students in certain circumstances. Offers of employment will be contingent upon the completion of an acceptable background check. The information received in response to a background check will be treated as confidential to the extent provided for by law.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Adams State University (ASU) may be directed to ASU's Office of Equal Opportunity, Director Ana Guevara, and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education. Support resources for sexual misconduct, ASU's sexual misconduct policies, contact information for the Adams State University's Office of Equal Opportunity & Title IX, as well as a detailed procedure for filing a grievance due to discrimination on the basis of sex may be found online at https://www.adams.edu/administration/oeo/reporting-sexual-harassment/.

Adams State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. Applications are sought from all qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, disability, and, as covered by law, veteran status. In addition, University policies prohibit discrimination on the basis of religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation including transgender status and gender expression, marital status, and parental status.

Adams State University is dedicated to fostering Inclusive Excellence and especially encourages applications from women, people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and other historically underrepresented populations. Given the university’s mission and student body composition, the institution is committed to increasing the diversity of its professional staff and is actively seeking qualified applicants who have experiences, skills, and/or personal attributes that augment the perspectives of our current faculty and staff; we will give particular consideration to qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings or who possess varied language skills and have a record of successful experience in engaging diverse communities and student populations.

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Director of Financial Aid