Financial Aid Technician II

About the role

Taft College is a community college located in California's Central Valley. We are committed to student success, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment where employees and students thrive together.

Responsibilities

• Assists in the coordination and management of the student worker program.
• Develops and provides complete and current written information to students and parents about financial aid, including costs, application procedures and eligibility criteria.
• Interprets and orally explains financial aid procedures to students, community agencies, faculty, staff and the public.
• Evaluates financial aid packages to ensure materials meet Federal and State guidelines.
• Calculates, awards and prepares disbursements of institutional funds for review.
• Performs data load of financial aid data with Department of Education and the California Student Aid Commission in the absence of the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office Coordinator.
• Affirms applications and validates accuracy of information to meet Federal and State guidelines.
• Processes applications and determines eligibility.
• Records and maintains information in the data management system to maintain Federal guideline tables.
• Responds to student inquiries and maintains all financial aid records.
• Affords assistance in gathering information to submit to the State and/or Federal government to assure proper accounting for and receipt of funds.
• Maintains student eligibility and satisfactory academic progress.
• Notifies students of financial aid eligibility status and awards.
• Performs a variety of specialized clerical duties.
• Gathers, enters and retrieves financial aid data using scanner or computerized system.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Key Knowledge Areas

• Federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to the financial aid process.
• Clerical and office skills.
• Complex and changing state and federal regulations and procedures, including tax forms.
• Financial aid programs.
• College policies regarding satisfactory academic progress.
• Accounting procedures and programs for balancing accounts, calculating eligibility, maintaining, and reporting financial records.
• Program referral procedures.
• Effective methods of working with the public.
• Effective written and oral skills.
• Basic research and evaluation methods.
• Computer applications such as Word, Excel, e-mail and internet browsers.
• Basic filing methods.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• General secretarial skills and techniques.
• Organizational and prioritization skills.
• Accurate recordkeeping operations and guidelines.

Ability to

• Learn District processes and procedures, rules, laws and regulations.
• Learn financial aid programs and procedures.
• Interpret and explain financial aid processes, rules and eligibility requirements.
• Keep files current, accurate and in order.
• Analyze and comply with requested data, reports and fiscal operations.
• Make presentations to public, parents and students.
• Read and interpret laws, rules and regulations.
• Communicate in person or by telephone.
• Use a variety of office equipment, computer keyboards and to handle paper.
• Sit for long periods.
• Lift and carry 25 pounds such as paper and reports.
• Bend and reach to retrieve and file supplies, equipment and documents.

Physical Requirements

• Vision sufficient to read documents and computer terminal displays.
• Speech and hearing to communicate in person or by telephone.
• Manual dexterity sufficient to use a variety of office equipment, computer keyboards and to handle paper.
• Sit for long periods.
• Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds such as paper and reports.
• Ability to bend and reach to retrieve and file supplies, equipment and documents.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate Degree or equivalent and one (1) year of experience working in an office setting; or
• High school diploma or equivalent and three (3) years of experience working with state and federal reporting.

Desirable Qualifications

• One (1) year of experience in a higher education financial aid department, reviewing and awarding student financial aid;
• Bilingual: Spanish/English;
• Prior experience working with Banner.

Salary and Benefits

This is a full-time, 12-month per year position with fantastic benefits! At the West Kern Community College District, you'll enjoy a comprehensive fringe benefits package, including District-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage for you and your dependents. We also offer a generous vacation plan to help you recharge. In addition, you'll be eligible to participate in the CalPERS or CalSTRS retirement systems, with the option to enhance your retirement savings through 457b and 403b optional retirement plans. This is an incredible opportunity to secure both your present and future while working with a dynamic team!

This position is Grade 21 on the Classified Salary Schedule, with a starting hourly range of $27.01-$31.28 per hour.