Program Assistant

This is a full-time, overtime-eligible position on the Olympia campus of The Evergreen State College.

Position Purpose

Under general supervision, perform work requiring knowledge and experience specific to student financial aid processes. Provide students, staff, faculty, and the public with information and interpretation of policies and activities relating to Federal, State, and Institutional financial aid programs.

Nature and Scope Essential Functions

• Serve as the primary contact for the Financial Aid Office by answering and responding to all calls made to the office’s main phone line
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies and procedures and provide information on a variety of financial aid topics to the public at the front counter, via telephone and by email.
• Prepare and certify alternative loan certification requests and revisions, by reviewing for completion, resolving any missing information, and entering application data into applicable systems.
• Process all direct loan change requests and credit verification forms by reviewing for completion, resolving any missing information, and entering applicable information into the system.
• Track, review, and update loan entrance and exit counseling information.
• Track and prepare Satisfactory Academic Progress petitions for review by the Professional Judgment Committee by reviewing for completion, entering petition information into system, and attaching any additional applicable information, notes, or records.
• Order and maintain office supplies.
• Train and direct work of student employees.
• Other duties as assigned.

Additional Duties Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Excellent public relations, customer service, and communication skills; including an awareness for and sensitivity to social and cultural diversity.
• Ability to understand and communicate effectively complex federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and processes.
• Ability to effectively work with conflict and de-escalation of customer issues, and provide resolutions.
• Ability to enter data accurately using established processes.
• Ability to perform complex Microsoft Word mail merge processes.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks, which require a high degree of accuracy and attention and may have conflicting deadlines, in a busy, distracting office environment.
• Familiarity with services provided by other student-centered offices on campus and the ability to refer individuals appropriately.
• Ability to problem-solve.
• Ability to function effectively in a collaborative, diverse work environment.
• Ability to perform work at a desk/computer and operate standard office equipment.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.) and the ability to use an integrated student records systems.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of academic records.
• Ability to work independently.

Minimum Qualifications Desired Qualifications

• Two years of full-time clerical experience
• Experience working in a student financial aid office in a college / university environment.

Conditions of Employment

• Must provide proof of identity and employment eligibility within three days of beginning work.
• This position is assigned to part of the college that is covered by a union shop provision and a collective bargaining agreement. Employees are required to pay an amount equal to the fees or dues required to be a member of the union to the Washington Federation of State Employees within thirty days of their date of hire.

Benefits

A full state benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid campus holidays; a generous medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.