Description

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Established in 1967, Edmonds College is a public, four-year, state college. It focuses on academic excellence, student success, and engagement, which reflect the three aspects of its mission: Teaching | Learning | Community.  It serves about 20,000 students annually, including more than 1,000 international students from more than 60 countries. The college offers nearly 70 associate degrees, 60 professional certificates in about 30 programs of study, and five Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees. Its highest enrolled programs are the Associate of Arts/Associate of Science degrees, Paralegal, Allied Health (pre-nursing degree), Business/Accounting, Construction Management, and Culinary Arts. The college is located in the center of the growing south Snohomish County communities of Edmonds, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, Brier, Mill Creek, Mukilteo, and Woodway. For more information, visit www.edmonds.edu.

POSITION DESCRIPTION:

The Executive Director of Financial Aid Services works under administrative direction and reports to the Dean for Enrollment  & Student Services. The work is administrative in nature, requiring the ability to formulate long-range goals and to review financial aid programs for  conformance to policies, regulations, and college objectives.  The executive director operates at an Expert level as defined by the Washington State OFM, and has the highest level of responsibility and extensive knowledge through study and experience for the federal and state financial aid programs. The work is highly complex, requiring complete understanding of business processes, strategic direction, impact on internal and external stakeholders, and the college as a whole. 

The Executive Director  provides oversight, guidance, supervision, and training for higher level staff  charged with managing individual financial aid programs, and the processing of student financial aid files. The position is responsible for ensuring compliance with all federal, state and college policies, regulations, and procedures, and for working collaboratively with the college Finance Office to complete disbursement of aid, and reconciliation processes. 

The Executive Director acts as budget authority for the Financial Aid Services Office, monitors the expenditures of the various  financial aid program budgets, serves on the Student Services Leadership Team, College Leadership Team, Data Governance Committee, and acts as the college liaison to the state Financial Aid Council (FAC), and regional and national organizations as appropriate.   

The Executive Director of Financial Aid Services creates a  working and service oriented environment based on open communication, team building, cooperation, positivity, and collaborative support in completing financial aid tasks and requirements and in serving the students at Edmonds College. Critical to this position is the ability to demonstrate a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in designing and implementing policies and procedures, and in  serving and supporting  the campus community.

The Financial Aid Office has had the benefit of an experienced financial aid consultant who was hired to evaluate staff training, and adherence to federal and state regulations. The college plans to keep the consultant on for a minimum of six months after the executive director is hired to assist in the transition process. 

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Develop processes/procedures to ensure compliance with all federal, state and college regulations, laws, and requirements. Conduct audits and reviews to monitor compliance, and submit the yearly federal FISAP and State Unit Record Reports, and other data and reports as required.
• Act as budget authority for the financial aid office and monitor expenditures in all financial aid program budgets.
• Participate in monitoring completion of program requirements, back up processes as needed, collaborate with other stakeholders to resolve financial aid issues, and monitor quality of service to students and the public. Take appropriate action to address issues or concerns.
• Take the lead role in the New Year setup of  the database system (PeopleSoft) and student portal, and other preparations needed to launch a new financial aid processing year.
• Train and monitor training completion of  higher level staff who manage the financial aid programs and process student files.
• Supervise higher level staff, including completion of the yearly performance evaluation process and regular and consistent one-on-one meetings.
• Attend meetings as appropriate, and participate in campus committees as appropriate or as directed.
• Participate in yearly state and national training to stay current on changing regulations and new requirements. Attend quarterly system council meetings (FAC), and monitor state financial aid listserv, and the executive directors’ listserv, and other listservs and information sources as appropriate or directed.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.  

Requirements

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Demonstrated experience in the field of Financial Aid rising to the expert level of federal, state, and college regulations, requirements, and laws.
• Five years experience managing two or more federal or state financial aid programs
• Five years experience with determining eligibility and processing student aid files
• Three  years supervisory experience at an administrative level
• Demonstrated excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, life experiences and abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret campus, local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies and apply them in a judicious manner

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master’s degree
• Two years of increasingly responsible experience working in an Admissions, Enrollment Services, Registrar, or Financial Aid office at a college or university
• Demonstrated ability to conduct data analysis, abstract statistical information, and appropriately use data for reporting
• Experience with PeopleSoft or similar system

CORE COMPETENCIES

Expertise in the field

Demonstrated program development and/or management experience (in  industry and/or higher education), ability to build and sustain collaborative partnerships with students, campus and community  stakeholders, effective time management skills, and technological expertise.

Cultural Competency

Demonstrated ability to create and manage  programs that promote a professional  learning environment that fosters student belonging, engagement and collaborative interactions that  promote cross-cultural connection, reflection, and the professional skills and academic abilities needed to thrive in a diverse and global society. 

Commitment to Equitable Access and Educational Success

Demonstrated experience providing equitable access and educational success for all students; particularly underserved populations, those who are low income, and students of color.

Edmonds College is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. The college values its talented, diverse workforce and seeks to attract, hire, and support employees who consistently and actively embrace diversity and equity. Edmonds College is an equal opportunity employer. Edmonds College invites all individuals to apply and as an equal opportunity employer, we also encourage individuals from diverse backgrounds and groups to apply for this position.