Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS)

ArtCenter College of Design is searching for an experienced Assistant Director, Financial Aid (FWS) to join our team.The salary range for this position: $30.00 - 37.00 per hour (35-hour workweek)Finalsalary is based on education, experience, skills relevant to therole, and internal equity.About ArtCenterFoundedin 1930 and located in Pasadena, California, ArtCenter College of Design is a globalleader in art and design education and has had an international reputation forits rigorous, transdisciplinary curriculum, faculty of professionals, strongties to industry, and commitment to socially responsible design. ArtCenter is aprivate nonprofit fully accredited by the WASC Senior College and UniversityCommission (WSCUC).Every position atArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals,strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding andcultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyonefeels a sense of belonging.Job SummaryEvery position at ArtCenter plays an important part in carrying out the cultural values, goals, strategic vision, and mission of the College. This includes upholding and cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.Reporting to the Director of Operations this position will counsel students and families on the financial aid process, determining eligibility, and awarding federal, state, and institutional aid. The incumbent will be responsible for managing the Federal Work Study Program and may assist with awarding and other programs as assigned.This is a full-time position with a schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. The position is eligible for flexible scheduling and can be performed, remotely, hybrid with a minimum of 3 days on site or required as a condition of employment, subject to change depending on the staffing needs of the office.Essential FunctionsFinancial Aid Advising and Compliance - 50%Counsel students and parents regarding federal, state, institutional and privately funded programs; explain student financial aid policies, procedures and processes; evaluate student situations and requests regarding financial aid awards; advise students on the timely completion of financial aid applicationsManage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staffAssist in scholarship and award process including adjustments and revisions; advise students regarding standards of satisfactory academic progress, address problems and other matters pertaining to continued eligibility; respond to telephone calls, correspondence and email messagesAssist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activitiesProvide counseling on budgeting, aggregate loan limits, debt management, bankruptcy and default resolution as it applies to financial aid; offer assistance and provide initial admission, accounting and registration informationEnsure compliance on federal and state regulationsProcess all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid file Operations - 30%Manage assigned financial programs as distributed among office staffProcess all forms in accordance with State and Federal regulations and Institutional policies and procedures; complete and maintain required documentation in the student financial aid filePrimary administrator for Federal Work study program:Monitor and verify eligibility requirements for Federal Work study per Department of Education regulationsMaintain position descriptions and authorize students to work in Federal Work-Study positionsDevelop, communicate, and cross train staff on student employment guidelines and processCollaborate with Payroll regarding student eligibility and monitor student biweekly earningsInterface with Human Resources Office to process required paperwork to add students to the payroll systemSet and adjust pay rates and end dates Reporting and Compliance - 15%Ensure compliance on federal and state regulationsGenerate reports and meaningful data as needed Other Duties - 5%Serve on educational or institutional committees as appropriateMaintain memberships and active involvement in applicable professional organizationsAssist at special on-campus admissions and financial aid activities including OrientationOther duties as assigned Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in related field from an accredited college or university or equivalent work experience4 years of current experience in financial aid, higher education, or similar workExperience with the Federal Work Study ProgramAdaptability to and knowledge of ever-changing regulationsCommitment to the role of financial aid in providing educational accessKnowledge of all federal and state regulations regarding financial aidPrior experience in counseling, information integrationProficiency in MS Office Suite including Excel, Word, PowerPointExperience with student software, COD, NSLDS, Web GrantsExcellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to work effectively with staff, students, parents, and other external contactsOrganizational skills to prioritize, manage multiple assignments, and be a team playerAbility to maintain detailed information with transparency and integritySelf-motivated, with ability for independent and detailed thinkingDemonstrated experience in cultivating an inclusive, respectful, and welcoming environment into workplace practices within ArtCenter's diverse communities Preferred QualificationsExperience with administration of Federal Work Study or other programs desirableKnowledge of art and design educationExperience with Ellucian ColleaguePrior experience in higher educationProficiency in a second language (other than English)Diversity StatementArtCenter is fully committed to fostering a culture that values diversity, equity, inclusion, access and belonging not only in vision but in practice. Our path forward is predicated on our belief that multiple points of view, life experiences, ethnicities, cultures and belief systems are essential to academic and creative excellence. We strive to learn more about difference while respecting the rich diversity in our world, attending to important questions about racial injustice and decolonizing our curriculum. Our campus environment must be vigilant in supporting the full participation of students, faculty, and staff of every race, color, ethnicity, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, socioeconomic status and political viewpoint.Equal Opportunity EmployerArtCenter is committed to a policy of equalemployment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees orapplicants on the basis of race (including hair texture and protectivehairstyle), color, religion (includes religious dress and grooming practices),sex/gender (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and/or relatedmedical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, maritalstatus, medical condition (genetic characteristics, cancer, or a record orhistory of cancer), military or veteran status, national origin, ancestry,disability (mental and physical, including HIV/AIDS, cancer, and geneticcharacteristics), genetic information, request for family care or medicalleave, age (over 40), criminal background (Fair Chance Act), reproductivehealth decision-making, off-duty and off-premisescannabis use, or any other actual or perceived characteristic protected byapplicable state or federal law. Equal employment opportunity is extended toall persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, includingwithout limitation, recruitment, hiring, upgrading, learning and professionaldevelopment, promotion, compensation, benefits, leave of absence, transfer,discipline, layoff, recall and termination. This commitment applies to allpersons involved in the operations of ArtCenter and prohibits unlawfuldiscrimination by any employee of ArtCenter. Applicants who wish to request an accommodation for a disability may contact the Office of Employee Experience and Engagement at (626) 396-2470.Applicant Rights (Prior Cannabis Use)ArtCenterwill not request information from an applicant relating to the applicant'sprior use of cannabis. ArtCenter will not use information obtained from acriminal history about an applicant or employee's prior cannabis use, unlessArtCenter is permitted to consider that information under applicable law.Employment At-WillAll employment with ArtCenter is for anunspecified term and is "at-will." Employees are free to resign at any time,with or without reason, and with or without prior notice. Similarly, ArtCenterhas the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, with orwithout cause, and with or without prior notice. This "at-will" employment,which includes the College's right to transfer, discipline, demote, or changethe conditions of employment with or without cause and with or without priornotice, cannot be modified, amended orwaived by any oral or implied agreement, and may be modified or altered only byan express individualized written employment agreement signed by both theemployee and the College presidentArtCenter Employees have a Mandatory Duty to ReportAll employees who know or have reason to know of allegations or acts that violate ArtCenter's Title IX Policy prohibiting discrimination, harassment, retaliation, sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, dating violence, and stalking shall promptly inform the , Title IX Coordinator or designee, or the Associate Dean of Students or designee. Faculty, who have a mandatory duty to report, are required to disclose all information including the names of the parties, even where the person has requested their name remain confidential.