Position Title:
Director of Financial Aid

Institution:
Pacific University

Salary Range:
Salary Range: $90-120k, DOE.

Deadline or Close Date:
06/05/2023

Job Location - City, State:
Forest Grove, Oregon

Position Description:
Pacific University achieves excellence and distinction by investing in exceptional people to think, care, create, and pursue justice in our world. We embrace discovery in a close nurturing environment that leads to genuine transformation. Our community is diverse, sustainable, and dedicated to discovery and excellence in teaching, scholarship and practice.

At Pacific University we thrive in an extraordinary environment, surrounded by the beauty of the great Pacific Northwest, with campus locations in Forest Grove, Hillsboro, Eugene, and Woodburn. We humbly acknowledge and thank the original caretakers of the lands on which we live, work, teach, acquire and share knowledge.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF POSITION:

The Director of Financial Aid is a highly motivated, knowledgeable and collaborative leader that oversees the efforts of all personnel within the Office of Financial Aid and ensures compliance with all federal and state statutes and regulations as well as institutional policies and priorities. The Director plays a strategic role in the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management, the Director is responsible for the administration of Title IV programs, institutional assistance programs, and other assistance programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Salary Range: $90-120k, DOE.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Supervise, evaluate and support the professional and student staff of the office;
  • Engage in planning to meet the University’s long-range strategic vision;
  • Advise the Vice President of Enrollment Management on policy as it relates to the awarding and disbursement of all financial aid administered by the University;
  • Oversight for the packaging, awarding and disbursement of all financial aid awards, including scholarships, grants, loans, emergency funds and student work study funds;
  • Interpret federal and state regulations ad guidelines and implement policies and procedures that are in compliance with them;
  • Develop and maintain effective fiscal controls and proper record keeping;
  • Support the development of Office procedures that promote efficiency and accuracy;
  • Responsible for yearly audits and ensuring that the university remains compliant and in good standing with all federal, state and institutional regulations.
  • Serve as liaison between the Office of Financial Aid and the Business Office, Registrar’s Office and University Advancement in matters relating to financial aid;
  • Encourage the professional development of staff and their participation in professional financial aid organizations;
  • Participate in regular planning meetings with undergraduate admissions and business office designee;
  • Provide reports to the Vice President of Enrollment Management as needed and requested;
  • Oversee federal work study program including processing of awards, developing and executing communication plans with campus supervisors during the employment process;
  • Maintain accurate and complete records for all students as required by federal, state and university rules, regulations and policies;Interview and counsel with students, prospective students and families as requested and/or required;
  • Embrace diversity and collaborate effectively with a variety of students, faculty, staff and the public from diverse cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds;
  • Encourage student-centered services and positive problem resolution;
SECONDARY FUNCTIONS:
  • Develop content for financial aid brochures and written information in collaboration with MarCom and Admissions;
  • Counsel students and families in financial planning, financial aid application and debt management;
  • Offer financial aid workshops to interested groups and schools;
  • Serve on university and divisional committees, task forces, and hiring committees, as needed
  • Perform other related duties as assigned;
  • Proactively identify facilities, infrastructure, and resource needs.
  • Actively seek out and identify innovative ways to improve the student experience and student success at Pacific University;
  • Listen for, respond empathetically, and initiate referral and documentation for follow-up on occasions when students present with high distress or with other concerns that impede their success as students.
JOB SCOPE:
Decisions are made within general University policy constraints but require much autonomous decision-making. Decisions of significant consequence are made independently. Position oversees financial processes, manages detailed records, and performs daily customer service tasks.
SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITY:
Supervises employees and student workers.
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE:
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution required, Master’s degree preferred;
  • 7+ years’ of experience in higher education preferred;
  • 5+ years’ experience in financial aid preferred;
  • 2+ years’ supervisory experience;
  • Experience with customer services within higher education preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND BEAHAVIORS
  • Ability to organize workflow and coordinate projects and processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency;
  • Ability to communicate policy, processes, and procedures clearly and appropriately to the audience;
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding information pertaining to students, faculty and staff;
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively;
  • Ability to perform detailed project work with dynamic deadlines;
  • Evidence of using best practices to improve operations;
  • Demonstrated ability to deescalate and resolve student or other customer complaints;
  • Experience with Ellucian Colleague a plus;
  • Experience developing and managing budgets;
  • Broad knowledge of Title IV federal student aid regulations;
  • Broad understanding of federal and state regulations governing student financial aid operations, academic records security, FERPA, registration, billing and admissions;
  • Excellent administrative skills, including written, oral, and editing accuracy;
  • Embraces, understands and uses appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions;
  • Stays current with industry issues, changes, trends and technology;
  • Nimble with data and comfortable with technology to support best practices in all aspects of the financial aid operation;
  • Takes responsibility to eliminate the source of problems.
WORKING CONDITIONS:
Work occurs in an office environment. Required to work some evenings/weekends to support campus recruitment events. Occasional travel with the Admissions team may be needed.
This position is a full-time, in-person position (not remote), primarily located on the Forest Grove campus. For full consideration, please submit applications by June 5th. Review of applicants will begin after June 5th and the position will remain open until filled.
At Pacific University we are dedicated to providing experiences that are authentic, holistic, equity minded, and responsive. We continue to develop our equity practices with a particular focus on racial equity.
For qualifying employees, our benefits include generous paid time off for vacation, holidays (including winter break) and sick leave. We offer medical coverage with alternative care (in-network services covered at 100% after payroll deduction), comprehensive dental, vision plans, 9% contribution to retirement after one year of service with no match required, free mental health appointments, and tuition remission for employees and their dependents. We cover employer paid life, short term disability, and long term disability insurance. On campus benefits include free access to our sports facility and library, with discounts on campus food, bookstore purchases, clinic services, and gear rentals through our outdoor program (kayaks, snow shoes, bikes and more).
Candidates from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Studies have shown that candidates that are female and/or BIPOC are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet all of the qualifications they find in the job description. We are seeking the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be a person who comes from a less traditional background. We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every minimum qualification described or are unsure if your experience could be considered related experience.
NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
It is the policy of Pacific University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, religion or religious creed, disability, sex or gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, military, veteran or Vietnam Era status, or any other protected classification recognized by applicable law, in admission, access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or any other applicable state or federal law, or city ordinance. Questions or complaints may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, [email protected].
Application materials will be screened and interview candidates will be selected and notified by telephone. The hiring process normally consists of several interviews and can last several weeks depending on the position. All applicants will be notified once the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States.