Veterans Affairs Admissions Advisor Senior

Department Contact: McKenna Garcia, 575-527-7550, mcgarcia@dacc.nmsu.edu

Target salary range: $53,165.80 - $67,786.96. Full-time, exempt position.

Admissions Services hours are from 8am-6pm M-Th, and 8am-5pm F. Individual schedules will be determined by employee and supervisor, will not be required to work more than 40 hours per week without prior notice.

About the Role

Under general supervision of the Admissions Director, the Veterans Affairs Admissions Advisor Senior assists students and their families requesting and receiving financial aid from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and coordinates application processing between students, NMSU-Dona Ana Community College, and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Responsibilities

• Prepares and certifies VA educational benefits, and reports student status and eligibility changes to the VA.
• Analyzes reports and ensures compliance on all student files and auditing requirements.
• Keeps students informed on VA education benefit regulation and policy changes, liaising with University departments impacting VA education benefits.
• Submits accurate student enrollment data—such as credit hours, training time, and tuition/fee charges—directly to the VA's Enrollment Manager system.
• Ensures NMSU-DACC Veterans Office complies with VA requirements to participate in VA programs, completing paperwork for the college/university to participate, maintaining records of eligible veterans and dependents, and completing regular catalog reviews and audits.
• Serves as the lead point of contact in the certification of Veteran’s Administration (VA) educational benefits.
• Assists veteran and dependent students with interpreting, implementing, and disseminating information on new VA regulations to align regulations with NMSU-Dona Ana Community College.
• Guides benefited VA students through the admissions and educational benefits application process.
• Collaborates with NMSU University and other NMSU campuses on VA requirements.
• Advises benefited VA students on all factors that have a potential impact on VA educational benefits, including successful academic progress, credit hour requirements, changes to student schedule, and location of training or classes.
• Enters and updates military-connected student codes and information in Banner and VA Enrollment Manager, and BDMS.
• Monitors students' course load and grades to ensure compliance with VA regulations; reports status changes that affect student eligibility for VA benefits.
• Assists students in resolving issues with the VA and other agencies or university departments; liaises with college/university departments (e.g., financial aid, registrar) on the impact of VA education benefits.
• Prepares and maintains required reports and documentation in accordance with State Approving Agency (SAA) policy and audit guidelines.
• Audits student files at the beginning of each semester and at graduation to ensure 100% compliance and timeliness.
• Serves on college committees, participates in community service activities, and engages in college initiatives.
• Trains new VA work studies, completes required paperwork for VA approval for new hires, and trains VA work studies on standard operating procedures, DACC policy and procedures, and approves time sheets.
• Participates in community service activities and college initiatives on and off campus.
• Regularly assumes responsibility for office operations, providing leadership, staff support, and ensuring uninterrupted service to students and campus partners.

Requirements

• Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
• Must be able to obtain an NMSU defense driving permit within 3 months of hire.
• Must successfully complete U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Online School Official Training within 30 days of hire.

Preferred Qualifications

• Veteran or dependent preferred.
• Spanish speaking preferred.
• Knowledge in VA Enrollment Management.
• Knowledge in Banner.
• Knowledge in BDMS.

Working Conditions

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required.
• Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 10 pounds or some standing or walking.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.