Associate Director, Financial Aid

Location: Princess Anne

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** Job Description Summary
** Organization's Summary Statement:  The Department of Financial Aid at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore invites applicants to apply for a full-time, exempt position with full benefits.
Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Associate Director of Financial Aid is responsible for various financial aid reporting, analysis, problem resolution, maintenance, testing and enhancement. Responsible for improving inefficiencies within all functional areas of Financial Aid by using technology to provide systematic solutions to problems and enhancement of existing processes. Works closely with the IT and related campus departments.
Essential

Job Duties /Responsibilities:

• Assists Director of Financial Aid with daily import and export processes    between Department of Education and People Soft system.

• In consultation with Information Technology Services, maintains a working    knowledge of financial aid processes, People Soft Financial Aid screens and    software, including but not limited to ED Connect, Image Now, Common    Origination and Disbursement (COD), federal Central Processing Services    (CPS), Student Aid Internet Gateway (SAIG), and National Student Loan Data    System (NSLDS).

• Monitors financial aid procedures and assures that data entry standards are    followed and that the FA operations process manual is kept current annually.

• Works with Director of Financial Aid to test patches and upgrades regularly and    timely.

• Maintains a clear and thorough understanding of current systems environment.
Carries out fact finding and problem analysis where applicable. Completes test    scenarios and works with related departments to ascertain testing effects.
Working closely with the Director of Financial Aid, troubleshoots and resolves    processing and setup errors within the Financial Aid People Soft module;
pays attention to issues that arise as a result of modifications to related    modules of the system.

• Works closely with the Director of Financial Aid and Information Technology    Services to continually grow the system and improve business process    operations within the Financial Aid Office. Assists with the automation of    standard processes i.e. packaging and SAP.

• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.
Physical Demands:  
• May require extended periods of standing, bending, stooping, sitting at desk.

• May require lifting.  
• Requires communication with a variety of constituents externally and internally.

• Requires operation of a variety of office equipment.
Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree.  
• Five (5) years of experience in financial aid administration with at least three    (3) years of management experience.  
• Supervisory experience.  
• Strong knowledge of Federal Financial Aid COD / CPS / NSLDS /EdConnect    /FAA Access.  
• Experience with awarding, verification, review of appeals, and counseling    students on federal financial aid.

• Thorough knowledge of Title IV and Title VII financial aid programs.  
• Knowledge of how state programs integrate with federal and institutional    funding.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills to analyze and interpret financial data.

• Ability and a record of team building, problem-solving, and integrity.

• Ability to present in front of an audience.  
• Ability to prioritize and balance multiple tasks/projects concurrently and    respond to emergency situations effectively.  
• Expertise with the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

• Effective written and oral communication skills.#
** Minimum Qualifications
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* Education:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

Eight (8) years of professional financial aid administration experience. Three (3) years of experience supervising or managing professional staff. Knowledge of accounting systems, financial reporting, and financial aid administration.

Skill in oral and written communication.

Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.

Ability to multitask and prioritize assignments.

Ability to acquire, apply and expand knowledge of the University’s policies and operating details for sponsored…