Financial Aid Counselor/Program Coordinator (Student Services Professional III)

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion:

California State University (CSU), Chico is a comprehensive and residential public university, holding Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) designation. Chico State operates as part of the 23-campus CSU system, which educates the most ethnically, economically, and academically diverse student body in the nation. The University enrolls over 15,000 students, with over half identifying as first-generation college students.

Chico State is committed to recruiting outstanding candidates. The ideal candidate will embrace our values predicated on the primacy of student success and the elimination of equity gaps, have demonstrated experience working with diverse populations, and will contribute to policies, programs, and practices that support an inclusive, accessible, and equitable learning and working environment. Black, Indigenous, People of Color, veterans, and those with diverse abilities are encouraged to apply.

Job/Department Summary:

Working independently under general direction of the Assistant Director, the Financial Aid Counselor/Program Coordinator (Student Service Professional III) performs complex Student Services professional work characterized by independent student advisement and guidance in individual and group settings. Using an integrated student services model, the incumbent independently counsels and advises a widely diverse population on complex federal, state, and institutional financial and student-related matters.

This level is further characterized by assignments requiring the application of a high degree of judgment, or persuasiveness, imagination, and professional skills and knowledge in a specified program or service area, as well as a general understanding of the interrelationships and the need for coordinated action within the total Student Services program. This level requires considerable administrative planning to develop creative solutions that integrate approaches across organizational lines. At this level, there is also the responsibility for recognizing specific program needs and for developing approaches for possible implementation to meet these needs. The incumbent must possess the ability to independently exercise Professional Judgment as a Financial Aid Administrator, or the ability to acquire this understanding quickly.

Problems encountered are of varying degrees of difficulty, including problems of considerable difficulty where alternative solutions are not readily available, or where guidelines and precedents do not exist or are not applicable. Incumbents are expected to use judgment to select and interpret available guidelines and precedents, and within their area of expertise, to adapt or create approaches and procedures to fit specific situations. Incumbents are expected to develop solutions to individual student problems which represent integrative solutions comprising appropriate elements of all appropriate Student Services programs.

EDUCATION:

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration, or a job-related field. 

AND

EXPERIENCE:

Three years of full-time professional experience in one of the student services program areas or in a related field; experience should give evidence of competence and indicate the potential for further growth.

A Master’s degree in a job-related field may be substituted for one year of the professional experience.

Additional specialized experience which demonstrates the applicant has successfully applied the knowledge and abilities of a Student Services professional may also be substituted for required education on a year-for year basis. 

Preferences:

Preference may be given to individuals with the following as they may be considered specialized skills:

• Bilingual skills, especially in Spanish, Hmong, and/or Punjabi.
• PeopleSoft Financial Aid/Scholarship experience
• Work experience in an academic setting, ideally public higher education.
• Experience with outreach presentations to diverse audiences.

Time Base: Full-time

Pay Plan: 12/12

Work Schedule: Mon-Fri 8:00am-5:00pm, Summer: Mon-Thurs 7:00am-5:30pm 

CSU Classification Salary Range:  $66,480 - $94,716 per year. 

Benefits: This position qualifies for benefits including tuition fee waiver (if eligible).

CSU, Chico offers a number of benefits to its employees (e.g., sick leave, vacation, health insurance).  For more information please visit https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/caree