Program Specialist 3 - School Certifying Official

Position Summary

This position is responsible for performing complex tasks in the operations of the Veteran Services Department. This position serves as Green River College's School Certifying Official, who is responsible for reviewing, verifying and transmitting student enrollment, and catalog information to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to initiate and maintain students' VA benefits (CH-31, CH-33, CH-35, CH-1606, CH-33 FRY, CH-33 Transfer of Entitlement, including initiate and manage payment of tuition and fees from the VA to the institution. This position ensures compliance with state and federal regulations, as well as institutional compliance and serves as a liaison between the VA and GRC and its students. In addition to serving in the School Certifying Official role, the Program Specialist 3 - Veteran Services plays an integral role ensuring students understand their benefits, and advocates for the students.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical, 15% Adult Basic Education, 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION:

Green River College is committed to enhancing and supporting a diverse campus environment, incorporating principles of equity in order to promote inclusive practices. Diversity is understood in terms of intersectional identities defined by culture, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, social class, disability, religion, veteran status, immigration status, and age. Given the diversity of our student population and service areas, we encourage applications from faculty, staff, and administrators with demonstrated experience and expertise in supporting, sustaining and serving people from a wide range of backgrounds and collaborating effectively with others.

Position Responsibilities

School Certifying Official:

• Determine course eligibility based on federal regulations and report enrollment information (credits and tuition and fees), including initial enrollment and changes to enrollment, via VA's web-based system, Enrollment Manager

• Maintain all records of VA students in accordance with VA compliance regulation, including enrollment and certification records, and additional VA compliance reports required by quarter or annually

• Gather and provide requested records and account information for review by authorized representatives of the government in the event of compliance surveys, Risk Based Surveys and Targeted Risk Based Reviews.

• Communicate with appropriate college departments and appropriate state and federal agencies to resolve any conflicting issues as needed to maintain compliance

• Point of contact for Veterans Readiness & Employment (CH-31) eligible students and CH 31 Case Managers; establish 3rd party account with the Student Financials, certify and monitor enrollment status through term, set up Paper Tree bookstore point of sale accounts, respond to requests made by CH-31 counselors as needed and requested

• Submit annual academic catalog along with additional required documentation to VA's State Approving Agencies (Washington Student Achievement Council and Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board) who are contracted by the VA to approve the school and its programs for veterans using VA Education Benefits

• Responsible for resolving any debt issues resulting in overpayment notices from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Debt Management Center, and Treasury Offset Program

• Keep up to date on current VA rules and benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official Handbook, communications with VA Educational Liaison Representative (ELR), VA bulletins and webinars, and attendance at VA training opportunities

• Tracking, researching and communicating legislative information to higher-level staff

• Represent the department in daily business as it pertains to the School Certifying Official role • Evaluate student data in multiple database systems such as ctc

Link, Enrollment Manager, Canvas, and Box

Student Support:

• Independently advise students regarding VA benefit application process and program criteria

• Educates students about processes and procedures and refers students to college departments and outside agencies

• Provide New Student Orientations in a group setting or on a one-on-one basis as needed

• Connect students to campus and community resources and serve as referral agent for students needing academic and personal assistance • Provides advocacy for military-connected students

• Provide direct customer service through various formats including virtual, email, phone, and in-person

Program Support:

• Assist in daily operations of the Veteran Services office, to ensure quality service

• Establish/sustain working relationships with internal departments (departments within Student Affairs, the Business Office, Foundation Department, Instruction, Institutional Effectiveness, GRC Administration) and external partners (Washington Student Achievement Council, Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board, Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington Department of Veterans Affairs, Debt Management Center).

• Maintain confidentiality of student records in compliance with FERPA

• Develops and makes public presentations on program related topics

• Report Veteran Services expenditures to Director for budget reviews quarterly

• Participate in institutional committees as requested by the Director

• In collaboration with the Director to interpret, advise, develop and implement institution policies and procedures related to the department

• Provide department services and/or information regarding department content, policies and activities; recommend alternative courses of action as needed.

• Respond to inquiries regarding the function of Veteran Services; coordinate with state, federal agencies directives; collaborate with partners across campus departments in support of Veteran Services.

• Participate and/or maintain professional membership status with state, federal and national councils, as well as any college committees representing the interests of Veteran Students

• Generate and prepare reports as needed for administrative purposes and data tracking

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate 's degree AND/OR 2-3 years working with Military Connected Students or a combination of both.

• Demonstrated ability in the following areas to include:

a. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

b. Work independently

c. Organize and establish priorities and objectives on a daily, quarterly, and annual basis.

d. Anticipate problems and develop resolutions.

e. Interpret policies and establish operating procedures.

• Work accurately with numbers to attend to minute details.

• Effective skills in the following areas:

a. Analytical and critical thinking skills

b. Prioritize multiple tasks and competing timelines.

• Knowledge of Workforce, or willingness to learn. (ie Vie-25) and Veteran Services connections with them.

• Knowledge and experience in the use of MS Office Word, Excel, and Access.

• Skills in working closely and collaboratively with internal and external partners to maintain program accountability.

• Ability and demonstrated interpersonal and intercultural communication skills with ability to work effectively with people of various ethnic, cultural, educational and socio-economic backgrounds.

• Demonstrate multicultural competence (including an awareness and understanding of historically underserved populations) and create an educational environment that affirms commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

• Regularly participate in trainings and professional development opportunities to further knowledge and self-awareness of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree

Supplemental Information

Required Training:

• Non-discrimination

• Ethics

• Child Abuse and Neglect

• Safety Orientation

• Title IX

• Procurement 101

• Campus Safety Authority (CSA)

• FERPA

• School Certifying Official Training (Annual)

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Must have the ability to stand for prolonged period of time at a computer/workstation

• Frequent repetitive arm, hand, and finger motions

• Frequent use of computer and exposure to terminal screen in performing work assignments

• Work in a setting with frequent interruptions

• Must be able to maintain "regular and predictable attendance."

• May need to carry, lift or move equipment/supplies up to 50lbs.

• Must have the ability to push/pull hand truck/dolly loaded with up to 100lbs.

• Work schedule: Generally, 8:00am-5:00pm

• Some schedule flexing will be required.

• Term of Position: 12 months

Attach the following with your completed online application and responses to the Supplemental Questions (located under the tab titled "Supplemental Questions") to be considered for this position.

• A Cover Letter which specifically describes how you meet each qualification.

• Resume

• Supplemental question(s)

(*) Should you have any difficulties uploading the below documents, please contact Neogov tech support at 1-855-524-5627 Mon-Fri 6 a.m.

• 6 p.m. pacific time.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks. (Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.)

At this time, Green River College does not offer H1B Visa.

Green River College is a tobacco free campus. For more information on the tobacco policy, please visit the following link: https://www.greenriver.edu/campus/policies-and-procedures/general-administrative-policies/ga-2-tobacco-use-policy/

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report- Green River College's Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at www.greenriver.edu/CleryASFR, containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 253-288-3350.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER: Green River College does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, gender, gender orientation, age, marital status, religion, disability, genetic information or on any other unlawful basis. The college is committed to preventing and stopping discrimination, including harassment of any kind and any associated retaliatory behavior.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn, WA 98092-3622, 253-288-3315. To receive this information in an alternate format, please contact Disability Support Services at (253) 833-9111, ext. 2631; TTY (253) 288-3359.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation. We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement and dental plans through the Public Employee Benefit Board, and most classified staff members will participate in either WA state's PERS 2 or PERS 3 retirement programs. Other benefits include sick and vacation leave, staff training, paid holidays, and the opportunity to participate in the tuition-waiver program. We also offer an on-campus fitness center.

Health Benefits:

Medical, dental, life and long term disability insurance benefits are provided as currently administered under the Public Employees Benefits Board.

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After over 55 years, Green River College remains committed to serving the needs of our communities. How would your proven commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion support our commitment to serve communities that are rapidly changing?

Required Question

Agency Green River College

Address 12401 SE 320th Street

Auburn, Washington, 98092

Website http://www.greenriver.edu/