Associate Director of Compliance and Scholarships

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

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The IRD for this job is: 03-20-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Santa Cruz enrolls roughly 19,000 students a year and 77% of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) strives to deliver high quality service to students and their families. We are committed to minimizing financial barriers, dedicated to providing students and their family’s access to a broad range of aid programs to support students in achieving their educational goals..

The office is part of Enrollment Management, which includes Financial Aid and Scholarships, Orientation and Undergraduate Admissions. Enrollment Management is part of the multi-faceted academic Division of Undergraduate Education. Undergraduate Admissions, Enrollment Management and Undergraduate Education work closely with select Academic Senate committees.

Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Santa Cruz, has grown from 652 students to nearly 19,000 students (2022-23) and earned international distinction as a world university with high-impact research, ranking 3rd in the world for research influence by Times Higher Education, and among the top 50 universities in the world, according to the U.S. News and World Report 2017 Best Global Universities rankings.

A campus with world-class facilities and one of the most visually spectacular settings in higher education, UC Santa Cruz offers rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities. At the core of our progressive educational approach are our 10 distinctive residential colleges, which organize the campus into smaller living/learning communities.
 

More information can be found at: https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/index.html

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Director, the Associate Director of Compliance and Scholarships oversees the administration of scholarship programs, including those under the purview of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, campus departments, and outside agencies. Responsible for fiscal management of all scholarship funds, including developing and maintaining  policy, ensuring unit and campus are compliant with federal and state laws.

Supervises Financial Aid Officers and formulates procedures for functional areas to ensure accurate, efficient, and timely delivery of student aid that is in compliance with regulations and supports departmental objectives.

Acts as liaison to campus University Relations and Development offices, scholarship recipients, departments, faculty, administrators, and agencies for purposes of scholarship selection, training, and compliance.

The Associate Director of Compliance and Scholarships is also responsible for leading and supporting a professional, efficient, and service oriented operation that is responsible for ensuring university compliance with applicable laws related to federal, state, and institutional aid. Independently monitors, interprets and analyzes statutes and regulatory requirements, providing direction and developing implementation plans. Formulates and maintains financial aid policy and procedures. Oversees training on policies and procedures within the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) and for other campus stakeholders. Serves as financial aid policy expert and resource for the campus, oversees audit activities and implementation of required process changes. Work to resolve the department's most complex financial aid cases that require manager intervention and policy determination. Oversees all compliance publications or communication materials where necessary. 
 

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $89,350/Annually. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
• Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment 

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus / Hybrid

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: FINANCIAL AID SUPV 2 (004531)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

• 25% - Oversees the compliance, and scholarships unit workload and cyclical processes in support of campus enrollment goals and enrollment management timelines by overseeing and organizing operations of functional areas, including but not limited to federal and state programs.

• 20% - Responsible for recruitment, monitoring and evaluating employee performance, providing direction, training, and assistance to Financial Aid Officers on the most complex and sensitive issues and circumstances. Recommends employees for promotion, corrective action and separation of employees when appropriate.

• 20% - Monitors program regulations, law changes, processing changes, and requirements. Incorporates these into office procedures and processes and advisor training programs. Ensures compliance of financial aid policies and programs with federal, state, University, agency and donor laws, regulation, policies and terms.

• 20% - Coordinates, implements, evaluates, and reports on very complex, specialized government, agency, University, or donor aid programs.

• 15% - Works with internal and external organizations to develop program policies and coordinate procedures. Interprets regulations, and develops or recommends procedures to ensure compliance and accurate aid delivery.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
• Advanced knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid. Specialized knowledge of particular programs.
• Demonstrated skills in managing staff
• Experience interpreting complex policies and developing procedures to ensure compliance.
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work for self and others to meet deadlines. Possesses strong project management skills.
• Possesses strong verbal communication skills along with active listening, persuasion, and negotiation skills.
• Possesses strong written communication skills.
• Possesses and uses strong customer service orientation skills.
• Experience assessing processes and implementing improvements.
• Interpersonal skills in order to work collaboratively with others.
• Social perceptiveness, the ability to sense verbal and nonverbal communication.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proficiency with standard office software, internet, and email applications.
• Experience using complex databases. Working knowledge of common university-specific computer application programs.
• Ability to define specifications for database programming.
• Advanced knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures, including those related to supervising employees.
• Advanced knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate has the option to work a hybrid work schedule. If a hybrid work schedule is confirmed, the selected candidate must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and be able to fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
• Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here .

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.