Financial Aid Systems and Data Analyst

Apply now Job no:537060
Work type:Staff
Location:Channel Islands
Categories:Unit 9 - CSUEU - Technical Support Services, Administrative, Probationary, Full Time, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Enrollment Management

Administrative Analyst/Specialist - Exempt II

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES:

Provides timely and accurate data to inform strong decision-making, particularly in relation to achieving institutional retention, persistence, and graduation/completion goals. Ensures compliance with reporting requirements and with technical directives provided by the U.S. Department of Education (ED), California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), CSU Chancellor's Office, and CSUCI’s Fiscal Services, Information Technology Services (ITS), and Institutional Research (IR) departments. Completes monthly reconciliation of all aid programs and aid year close-out processes, participates in internal and external audits, and manages all regulatory and ad hoc statistical reports. Researches, writes, edits, and audits financial aid related queries, equations, and scripts in PeopleSoft and other student databases. Analyzes financial aid data for accuracy; generates reports and disseminates information to the Executive Director, financial aid staff, other departments, and governmental agencies. Troubleshoots problems accessing, storing, manipulating, remitting, and extracting data to and from financial aid and student databases.

Reviews federal and state regulations updates; analyzing and modifying financial aid and other related information systems to ensure compliance with regulatory needs and changes. Coordinates annual IT security meetings and ensures student aid data complies with privacy protection regulations. Provides technical support to all financial aid functions including but not limited to application tracking, packaging, proration, and disbursement of aid. Leads and maintains setup within various modules of PeopleSoft Financial Aid/Campus Solutions, including the Aid Year Rollover process. Assists in the electronic file transfers between PeopleSoft and internal and external systems including data transfers between ED systems (CPS/FPS, NSLDS, COD), CSAC, the CSU, CampusLogic, Blackbaud scholarship management, and private lenders. Facilitates the reduction and occurrence of errors in all aspects of financial aid processing. Recommends and implements strategies to optimize processing time and facilitate quality assurance; automates manual processes to enhance compliance and operational efficacy.

Identifies cross-functional issues and collaborates with other units to ensure that appropriate solutions are identified and implemented. Maintains written documentation for system processes and procedures. Coordinates maintenance pack testing schedules with ITS and other business analysts in Enrollment Management and across campus. Develops and documents appropriate test cases; performs testing for maintenance packs, modifications, customizations, fixes, interfaces, and patches. Serves as a liaison for Common Management Systems (CMS) technical staff and attends all CMS related meetings. Will serve as a backup to Associate Director of Financial Aid Systems and Operations.

Performs additional related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION:

Bachelor’s degree in the social sciences, business administration, education, information systems or a closely related field, master’s degree preferred, and at least three years of progressive work experience in a financial aid office and direct experience managing the support of the financial aid PeopleSoft module, five years’ experience preferred; OR a combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge and abilities may be substituted. Preferred work experience in an academic setting ideally public education with experience in the CSU system and with the Common Management System (CMS).

Ability to perform accurately in a detailed-oriented environment, manage multiple priorities, and organize and plan work projects. Expert knowledge of and ability to apply federal and state student aid laws, regulations, and processes including the U.S. Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission. Ability to recommend business processes, administrative systems, and policy changes to bring business processing in line with competing policies, procedures, and laws. Advanced knowledge of PeopleSoft student financial aid systems and knowledge of PeopleSoft equations and ability to create and update existing equations as needed preferred. Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex, far reaching PeopleSoft issues across Campus Solutions modules. Experience with maintenance pack/upgrade testing and advanced skill level using Microsoft Excel. Ability to query data from a relational database (i.e., PeopleSoft) and make data-driven decisions, to organize and coordinate complex activities, and to analyze information, problems, or procedures to define objectives and identify alternatives or courses of action. Ability to assess problems from all perspectives, in writing or in person, along with a recommended viable solution and to forecast future problems for the organizational unit and mitigate these issues by developing and proposing proactive solutions. Ability to interact and collaborate effectively with users of various skill levels to develop simple, user-friendly, customer-oriented, and efficient solutions. Ability to work independently and as a part of a team, providing high-quality, customer-focused services to the unit’s constituencies. Ability to solve problems under pressure, often with frequent interruptions. Ability to make written or verbal proposals and implement procedural changes and to self-identify problems and exercise independent judgment in the application of complex guidelines and regulations. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. 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 is 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 Revised July 21, 2017, as a condition of employment.

** Review of applications will begin April 9, 2024 **

Hiring Range: $5,273 - $6,989 per month

Advertised:March 18, 2024 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:Open Until Filled