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Job Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations and Technology, the Financial Aid Technician works independently to provide a variety of coordinating and advising services in support of Financial Aid Counseling. The Financial Aid Technician performs functions related to the functional and technical operations of the Financial Aid Office, the Financial Aid application processes and awarding cycles, and student and parent counseling.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintains knowledge of financial aid programs, including Pell, Federal, Federal Work-Study, and Cal Grant 
• Keeps current and interprets federal scholarship eligibility criteria and office practices
• Explains the applicant process award cycle, answers questions related to the Financial Aid and Scholarship award process at San Jose State University, and communicates to students and parents
• Assists students at the front counter answering questions during drop-in hour and provides phone coverage
• Serves as a member of the Financial Aid Technical Team, by ensuring that departmental computing and reporting needs are met on a timely and accurate basis
• Runs established computing processes and consults with the campus Financial Aid Technical Team
• Reconciles and reports Pell Grant payments to the Department of Education within the required timeframe to maintain compliance with federal regulations
• Monitors payment issues with other institutions to reduce overpayments
• Downloads and uploads Middle Class Reconciliation (MCS) files bi-weekly
• Coordinates with California Student Aid Commission and/or other institutions on any issues regarding MCS

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to communicate with constituents in a professional and respectful manner
• Knowledge of financial aid and reconciliation requirements for federal and state
• Ability to interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals, colleges and students, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions, and project consequences of various alternative courses of action
• Knowledge of software applications, such as word processing, spreadsheet, database management, and query tools 
• Knowledge of automated student financial aid systems and database management
• Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action
• General knowledge of programming logic, design methods, report writing processes
• Ability to understand the academic year and processing cycles that effect the workflow of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Unit and Enrollment Services
• Ability to interpret and explain policies to various staff members and students
• Knowledge of individual counseling techniques, and working knowledge of student services programs to which immediately assigned
• Ability to advise students individually and in groups on FASO matters
• Ability to determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature.
• Ability to compose and appropriately format correspondence and reports
• Ability to design and conduct workshops, and make presentations
• Ability to train and direct staff on projects
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and appropriately handle sensitive communications with employees and external agencies.
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service and public relations skills

Required Qualifications

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate coursework in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems. A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job‑related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job‑related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree
• Four (4) years of financial aid advising experience in postsecondary education
• Experience reconciling federal and state programs
• Experience with higher education academic policies and procedures
• Experience collaborating across units/divisions
• Experience with technical programming
• Excellent written communication skills

Compensation

Classification: Student Services Professional IV
Anticipated Hiring Range: $6,019/month - $6,580/month
CSU Salary Range: $6,019/month - $8,585/month

San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary.

Application Procedure

Click Apply Now to complete the SJSU Online Employment Application and attach the following documents:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest

All applicants must apply within the specified application period: September 25, 2024 through October 10, 2024. This position is open until filled; however, applications received after screening has begun will be considered at the discretion of the university.

Contact Information

University Personnel
jobs@sjsu.edu
408-924-2252

CSU Vaccination Policy

The CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measures established by each campus. The system wide policy can be found at https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/9779821/latest/ and questions may be sent to jobs@sjsu.edu.

Additional Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis.

The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire.

SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Office or report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity.

Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: 

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Security-Report.pdf. The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at 408-924-1501 or by email at clerycompliance@sjsu.edu.

Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at https://www.sjsu.edu/clery/docs/SJSU-Annual-Fire-Safety-Report.pdf. The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at 408-795-5600 or by email at uhs-frontdesk@sjsu.edu.

Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director.

Equal Employment Statement

San José State University (SJSU) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, disability, ethnicity, gender, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, national origin, race, religion or lack thereof, sex, sexual orientation, transgender, or protected veteran status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. This policy applies to all SJSU students, faculty and staff programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).