School Certifying Official

Virginia's Community College System · Richmond, VA · 1 mo ago

Education$50k–$53k/yrFull-time

About the role

The School Certifying Official (SCO) serves as J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College’s primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military‑connected students. The SCO ensures accurate certification and administration of VA educational benefits in full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, while providing student‑centered service to veterans, service members, and their families. Collaboration with Financial Aid, Registrar, Bursar, and Advising strengthens institutional compliance and enhances the veteran student experience.

Key Responsibilities

Certify student enrollment and academic progress for VA educational benefits in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
Serve as the official VA point of contact for the college, maintaining timely communication with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Review, process, and monitor student eligibility, enrollment status, academic progress, and payment reconciliation.
Maintain accurate records in VA certification systems (e.g., VAONCE or the VA Education Platform) and the college’s student information system.
Ensure institutional compliance through accurate reporting, documentation, and periodic audits.
Collaborate with campus partners in Financial Aid, Registrar, and Bursar offices to resolve student benefit and account issues.
Provide guidance, workshops, and one‑on‑one support to veteran and military‑affiliated students regarding benefits, policies, and academic processes.
Analyze data to support continuous improvement, identify trends, and contribute to institutional reporting.
Participate in professional development, training, and networking with the VA and statewide organizations to maintain current knowledge of policies and best practices.
Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and service‑oriented environment that supports the success and well‑being of military‑affiliated students.
Perform other duties as assigned, including assistance during emergency declarations by the Governor.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of VA education benefit programs (Chapters 33, 35, 30, 1606) and related certification systems.
Familiarity with federal and state compliance regulations related to veterans’ educational benefits.
Experience working with student information systems and Microsoft Office or comparable data‑management tools.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.
Proven ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and provide high‑quality, student‑centered service.

Preferred Qualifications

Two or more years of experience supporting veteran or military‑affiliated students in higher education.
Experience using VA certification systems (VAONCE or VA Education Platform) and enterprise student systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner, or Colleague).
Working knowledge of financial aid, registration, and student billing processes.
Certification as a School Certifying Official (SCO) through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (preferred or required within six months of hire).
Experience managing or coordinating state or federal benefit programs.
Familiarity with military culture, structure, and transitional challenges of service members and their families.
Active involvement in professional organizations such as the National Association of Veterans’ Program Administrators (NAVPA) or related groups.
Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in student support and service delivery.

Additional Information