Financial Aid Graduate and Retention Specialist

Apply now Job no:534816
Work type:Staff
Location:Northridge
Categories:Unit 4 - APC - Academic Professionals of California, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, Telecommute eligible (work onsite as scheduled and/or as requested and telecommute as scheduled)

CSUN strives to be a destination workplace, where everyone understands that they belong to a community that is vital in advancing student success and providing exemplary service to all stakeholders. We foster an environment of success, both for our students and our employees. We have a relentless passion for celebrating diversity, equity, and inclusion as well as being an employer of choice. You will also have the opportunity to realize your own personal goals and be recognized for the work you do, and enjoy the unique value the CSUN community can offer. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place. Learn more: https://www.csun.edu/about-csun .

About Financial Aid and Scholarships:

For information about the CSUN Financial Aid and Scholarships Department, visit our website at: https://www.csun.edu/financialaid   

Major Duties

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Student Relations and Financial Literacy, the Financial Aid Graduation and Retention Specialist will serve as a member of the counseling unit of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Department and is responsible for independent student advisement and making professional judgments to resolve individual financial impediments that endanger retention and graduation. The incumbent will ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, and collaborate with campus offices and departments.

• Provides counseling and advisement in individual sessions based on referrals from financial aid staff, faculty, academic advisors, senior leadership, and program coordinators and directors; meets with students who are faced with unexpected emergencies that put the student at risk of homelessness, inability to pay registration fees, unable to purchase required textbooks and materials, and other individual circumstances.
• Provides counseling and advisement in individual and group sessions to financial aid applicants, recipients, and the general student body on all complex financial aid-related matters such as budgeting/money management, financial aid application procedures, available financial aid options (e.g., short-term loans, alternative University and or community resources), and loan counseling.
• Reviews the complex information from the FAFSA or CA Dream application (financial aid applications); verifies information for students selected by Federal criteria based on the analysis of support documents (e.g., tax forms, untaxed income verification); resolves conflicting information; if warranted, re-computes the need analysis computation; determines the budget category and any appropriate/allowable adjustments; manually awards the student if needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

*NOTE: To view the full position description including all of the required qualifications copy and paste this link into your browser: https://mycsun.box.com/s/2yp89ok67o15u625sug9j8mg0gm09reb

Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field. Upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related, is preferred.
• Equivalent of three years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience; including one year in (the program area to which assigned)  preferred.
• A Master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience.             

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends of the Student Services field as well as thorough knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of the program area to which assigned. Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior, and individual counseling techniques; thorough knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned. Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned.
• Ability to: analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Pay, Benefits, & Work Schedule

• The university offers an excellent benefits package, including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, retirement & savings, tuition waiver and more.
• Classification: Student Services Professional III / 3084  / 1
• The anticipated HIRING RANGE: $5025 - $5443 per month, dependent upon qualifications and experience. The salary range for this classification is: $5025 - $7159 per month.
• HOURS: Full Time; 40 hours per week; Monday through Friday; may include evenings and weekends.  
• This is a Regular position with a one-year probationary period. 
• The position is currently hybrid 3 days in office, 2 days remote; however, this is subject to change based on student and/or operational needs.

General Information

• Applications received through February 8, 2024 will be considered in the initial review and review of applications will continue until position is filled.
• This position is a sensitive position as designated by the CSU.
• A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.
• The person holding this position may be considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
• In accordance with the California State University (CSU) Out-of-State Employment Policy, the CSU is a state entity whose business operations reside within the State of California and prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside of California.
• This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
• This position is a "designated position" in the California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. The successful candidate accepting this position is required to file Conflict of Interest forms subject to the regulations of the Fair Political Practices Commission.
• Candidates should apply by completing the CSUN on-line application. To submit an application and for more detailed information on the application and hiring process, please visit this link: www.csun.edu/careers
• The CSU recommends that faculty, staff, and students who are accessing campus facilities at any university location be immunized against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CSUN is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, marital status, covered military and veteran status, and disability. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose by contacting Recruitment Services at 818-677-2101.

Advertised:Jan 26, 2024 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:Open until filled