Financial Aid Assistant

Job Description: The Financial Aid Office Assistant is a support position responsible for providing assistance to the Office of Financial Aid in the division of Enrollment Management. This position carries responsibility for providing exceptional customer service through personable and accurate management of the financial aid front desk. Duties involve answering a majority of the incoming phone calls and emails. The Financial Assistant also plays a role in counseling a majority of the walk-ins to the office. The Financial Aid Office Assistant participates in on-campus events, carries out data entry of financial aid documents, printing of financial aid award letters, and special projects as assigned by the Assistant Vice-President for Financial Aid.

Responsibilities:

Office Reception:

Financial Aid Office Assistant provides direct customer service and support to the office of financial aid by warmly greeting and assisting walk-ins to the office on campus, answering and directing phone calls, and overseeing the main financial aid email account.
Daily tasks will include providing information about financial aid and admissions to current and prospective students and families with a friendly and kind demeanor. Also maintains the overall organization and cleanliness of the reception area (50%)
Office Management:

Financial Aid Office Assistant is responsible for the accurate review, printing and timely mailing of all undergraduate financial aid award offers and revisions. This individual maintains an inventory of financial aid publications and other related supplies. This individual also updates shared google calendars and provides support as needed to the Assistant Vice-President for Financial Aid..
This position occasionally supervises undergraduate work-study students who are assigned to perform specific tasks. (40%)
Event Participation:

Financial Aid Office Assistant will participate in open houses and other on-campus recruiting events, including occasional evening and weekend programs. (10%)

Marginal Functions
Perform other duties as assigned by the Assistant Vice-President for Financial Aid or other senior management, as appropriate. Assist the Office of Enrollment Management with taking on additional work on a temporary basis during times of high-volume activity or need.

Qualifications:

Communication:

Able to give clear and timely information to the appropriate stakeholders in compliance with state and federal laws that safeguard personal information.
Able to professionally communicate via written correspondence, telephone or video, online media, and face to face, and tailoring the message appropriately to the medium used and the audience (example: supervisor, coworker, parent, student, other University employees).
Customer Service:

Able to work professionally and positively with prospective students, current students, parents, high school representatives and university employees.
Provides clear and timely information and answers to questions, following up as necessary, or being able to refer an individual to a more appropriate team member.
Able to empathize with others and understand the various perspectives that individuals bring to a situation, and address those perspectives. Has a friendly demeanor and welcoming disposition.
Project Management:

Able to organize tasks in the right order to reach the right outcome at the right time.
Monitor progress in projects and plans and adapt appropriately to changes or challenges.
Communicates workload and status of projects effectively and timely. Is well organized and manages assignments to a successful conclusion.
Technology:

Able to use appropriate software for efficient completion of work objectives. Demonstrate beginner-level mastery of core MS Office programs.
Cultural Understanding:

Able to demonstrate respect for and engage with people of diverse backgrounds to create a stronger community
Emotional Intelligence:

Ability to understand how this role fits into the overall goals of the EM office and the University, and how the quality and consistency of individual efforts affect other staff in the unit.
Able to respond positively to direction and performance-related critiques. Able to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive, cooperative, productive work atmosphere while on campus and while representing the office off-campus.