Clerk IV - Student Financial Services - El Centro at InsideHigherEd

About Holyoke Community College:Holyoke Community College is housed on a multi-million-dollar, 135-acre campus, equipped with state-of-the art technology in specialized learning facilities. HCC serves over 9,000 students annually, and provides a variety of recreational and cultural activities, from sports programs to music festivals, for students and community members alike. The college's strongest assets continue to be an innovative spirit, a sincere concern for students and a commitment to strive for even greater success. These are the values which have created a tradition of excellence spanning more than six decades, and which are enabling Holyoke Community College to meet today's challenges.Mission:Educate. Inspire. Connect.Values: Kindness, Inclusion, Trust, Innovation & CollaborationKindness, inclusion and trust are the foundation of the work that we do together. Innovation and collaboration enable us to explore and implement the ideas that will shape our future. Under the general supervision of the Director of El Centro, the Student Financial Services Clerk IV will help drive the development and daily operations of El Centro. HCC is seeking one (1) Student Financial Services Clerk IV to support this equity-driven, Latinx-centered department. El Centro offers a bilingual, culturally responsive space that actively works to reduce inequities by providing services, resources, and support aligned with the specific needs of Latinx students and their families, while remaining open and accessible to all HCC students who may benefit. The drop-in center uses a collaborative, bilingual, case-management model to deliver:Academic & transfer advisingCareer readiness & explorationFinancial aid advisingCommunity engagement opportunitiesRooted in a vision of a Hispanic thriving learning community, El Centro prioritizes culturally responsive practices that promote academic success, advancement, and a strong sense of belonging for Latinx students and the wider HCC student population.This position is responsible for being the liaison in the day-to-day operations between El Centro and the Student Accounts and Financial Aid Offices. This is a cross-trained professional that supports students and families seeking assistance with Financial Aid and Student Accounts. This individual will work with students to get financial aid and financial support to continue through to completion of degree. This position will assist with FAFSA completion, help students gain financial literacy skills and ultimately work toward increasing rates of early/on time FAFSA and financial aid application documents completion. Works as a team with the Academic, Community Outreach and Student Success Counselors to create a seamless one-stop shop for Latinx students.Customer Service for Financial Services Information for El Centro:Serves as a front-line resource for prospective, current, and former students, as well as their families, providing exceptional customer service to all parties. Works to support a culture of joy and belonging for all visiting students, community members, and staff by engaging with kindness and proactive inquiry.Answers questions regarding Financial Aid and financial services in person, over the phone, and virtually, and monitors voice mail/email and return messages.Assists with all inquiries in regards to Financial Aid regarding academic progress, including support with SAP appeals, scholarships, FAFSA preparation, completion, and submission, loan procedures and reviewing awards.Assists with all inquiries in regards to Student Accounts; billing, understanding payment plans, health insurance waivers, bus pass applications, and account review.Protects the confidentiality of student records and files within Student Financial Services.Promotes self-service tools among students, including web-based resources; assists with training students on the functionality of these tools to increase self-sufficiency and increase student's financial literacy.Assist in the development and facilitation of workshops on pertinent topics.Special Projects and Related Responsibilities:Works a flexible schedule including some nights and weekends as required to meet objectives.Makes connections with community-based organizations, local school districts, and adult education programs. Establishes and maintains confidential records and contributes to the program record keeping system, including case management notes via the EAB Navigate system.Meets with the El Centro Director regularly. Attends the Financial Aid Office, Student Accounts Office, & Enrollment Service meetings and informs El Centro on updates as needed. Collaborates with other relevant departments as necessary.Performs other related duties as assigned.Undertakes special projects and related responsibilities as requested.Minimum Qualifications: Three years of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in financial aid operations or loan processing or substitutions for experience as described in the State Classifications Specifications;High School Diploma or equivalent;Ability to effectively use Microsoft Office Suite software, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint to support financial aid office operations and presentations; Experience working on multiple high-priority projects.*A comprehensive list of duties may be found at the Massachusetts Human Resources Division- Classification Specification under the “Clerk Series” series. https://www.mass.edu/forfacstaff/classificationspecs/home.aspEquivalency Statement: We welcome and encourage applicants, who do not meet the qualifications as stated below, to put in writing precisely how their background and experience have prepared them for the responsibilities of this position. It is preferred that this document be uploaded separately from the resume, cover letter, and references. Applicants who do not meet the minimum qualifications and do not have an equivalency statement will not be considered for the position.Preferred Qualifications:Associate’s degree or higher;Ability to understand, explain and apply financial aid laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; Experience working with Ellucian/Banner software; Community college work experience;Bilingual in Spanish and English.Full-time, AFSCME Unit Position: Bi-Weekly salary: $1,894.66; Grade 13, plus a comprehensive State benefits package. Hours: 37.5 hours/week.Funding Source: State.Disability Accommodations:Holyoke Community College is committed to the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities and will ensure the availability of reasonable accommodations. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Office of People and Talent at (413) 552-2554.Background Check:Employment is contingent upon the successful completion and review of a background check which will include CORI (Criminal Offender Record Information) and SORI (Sex Offender Registry Information).All candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States. HCC is not sponsoring H1B Visa.Holyoke Community College is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, genetic information, gender identity or sexual orientation in its programs and activities as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and college policies. The College prohibits sexual harassment, including sexual violence. Inquiries or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, retaliation or sexual violence shall be referred to the College’s Affirmative Action and/or Title IX Coordinator, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination, the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission or the United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights.