Veterans Services Specialist

Job Description Summary

This position is primarily assigned to the San Luis Obispo Campus with up to two work days a week at the North Country Campus.

The position may be required to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Work schedule will be:

• Monday, Thursday, Friday: 8:00am

• 5:00pm

• Tuesday & Wednesday: 9:00am

• 6:00pm

DEFINITION

Under the direction of the the assigned Administrator, the Veteran Services Specialist will be responsible for veteran benefits, certifications, intake, orientation, distribution, timely processing of applications for multiple veterans' benefits programs while assuring compliance with all state and federal program regulations, and the dissemination of related program information to the Cuesta community, including students, parents, faculty, and the community-at-large.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Veterans Services Specialist is distinguished from other Student Success and Support Program series in that the position by the assignment of duties requires a variety of specialized complex technical duties in advising active military, reservists, veterans and their dependents of their rights and benefits entitled to them by law; and ensures the district's compliance with federal and state Veterans Administration laws.

Incumbents in this position support Guided Pathways framework, student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness by advising and directing students from admission to culmination of goal completion while obtaining veterans educational benefits.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE

Where You Will Work

Serving all of San Luis Obispo County, Cuesta College has provided comprehensive associate degree offerings, certificates, and community programs to the region since 1964. The main campus is located along scenic Highway 1, west of San Luis Obispo and east of the beaches of the Pacific Ocean. Cuesta College has a North County Campus in Paso Robles, and South County Center, in Arroyo Grande.

Who We Are

Equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to our culture and the work we do. Cuesta College is proud to be a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) committed to racial and socio-economic diversity as it reflects our communities and student populations. We actively seek to attract candidates who share this commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion. As part of the Cuesta College team, you can expect to be part of a collaborative community of faculty, classified professionals, administrators, students, and community partners advancing educational excellence with intentional support services leading to student success and completion.

Additional information about the college can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/index.html

The college planning documents can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/collegeplans/index.html

Our Student Equity Action Plan can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/info/student-equity-initiatives/equity/index.html

We offer comprehensive benefit options. Information about benefits can be found at

https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/benefits-insurance/index.html

Essential Functions & Qualifications

ESSENTIALFUNCTIONS

• Serve as "certifying official" for the Veterans' Educational Benefits; receive, review and process applications for veterans and eligible dependents.

• Collaborate with Veterans Administration (VA) to ensure that applications are accurate, complete and processed in a timely fashion;

• Plan, organize and conduct orientations, presentations, workshops to promote services; collaborate with other on and off campus student support programs;

• Review and monitor student enrollment and educational plans of students receiving benefits in relation to their courses;

• Analyze and evaluate academic records and other documentation to determine eligibility for veterans' educational benefits;

• Notify and advise veterans when there are discrepancies that might impact eligibility for benefits;

• Determine eligibility of veterans and dependents according to established federal, state, or local regulations;

• Comply with federal reporting requirements for all veterans educational benefits programs, interact with federal and state auditors, prepare federal reports, as required;

• Assist students in resolving program eligibility problems and verify eligibility criteria based on their GI Bill;

• Review academic progress and related data and notify the Veterans Administration as needed regarding changes and unsatisfactory progress;

• Process fee determent/waiver authorizations for veterans under the Veterans Administration Vocational Rehabilitation program as appropriate; including students under the aTuition Assistance program, ArmyIgnitED and other eligibility requirements to waive enrollment fees;

• Plan and organize program-related events, outreach and in-reach activities for veterans, including scheduling internal and external providers to conduct specialized workshops and other support services specifically designed for veterans;

• Work cooperatively with District personnel, community organizations, governmental agencies and others to exchange information for veterans;

• Serve as liaison between Cuesta College and the Veterans Administration;

• Represent the College at various local, regional, state, national conferences, and committees;

• Maintain current knowledge of all laws, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures related to veteran benefit eligibility programs and analyze policies and procedures to ensure compliance;

• Create, updateandmaintainvariousforms, referencematerialsanddocuments;

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS Education:

Required

• Associate Degree

Experience:

Required

• Two years of work experience in veterans' services or other related field.

Desirable Experience:

• Two years of work experience in veteran services, financial aid, social services in a higher education setting.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state educational assistance programs;

• Community and social service agencies;

• Community college educational programs;

• Technology/computer systems used for veterans' benefits processing and record keeping;

• Veterans' compliance and reporting;

• Public speaking methods;

• Current technologies, personal computer, and associated office software such as work processing, spreadsheet, presentation and/or database software;

• Practices, procedures and activities of a program of higher education;

• Standard office procedures and practices including filing systems, receptionist, telephone techniques and business letter and report writing; and

• Correct use of English grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling.

Abilityto:

• Maintain current knowledge of state and federal program regulations;

• Interpret and apply state and federal regulations related to educational assistance programs;

• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse socioeconomic, cultural, disability, military and racial/ethnic backgrounds of community college students.Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the performance of duties;

• Analyze difficult situations and take appropriate action;

• Work independently and prioritize work assignments;

• Communicate effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;

• Communicate complex information in an understandable manner;

• Understand and carry out oral and written instructions;

• Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills;

• Keep records and prepare reports;

• Resolve problems, coordinate tasks, and proceed appropriately;

• Operate and instruct on computer-assisted guidance systems.

Physical ability to:

• Read and comprehend printed matter and text and data on computer monitors;

• Communicate intelligibly and effectively via speech, telephone, written correspondence, and/or email;

• Sit or stand for extended periods of time;

• Lift and/or carry 25 pounds;

• Work in various weather conditions;

• Exert manual dexterity sufficient for keyboard and other office equipment operation.

Additional Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO APPLY

Candidates will be required to submit ALL of the required documents below when applying for this position. When uploading documents, PDF uploads are preferred.

• Cover letter;

• Resume;

• Reference List (see further instructions below);

• Unofficial transcripts;

• Diversity statement (see further instructions below).

Diversity Statement Instructions: Cuesta College is committed to building and maintaining a workforce that reflects and honors the diversity of our students. It is important to us that our faculty, staff, and administrators demonstrate an understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, and religious backgrounds as well as sexual orientation and abilities of all constituents in the Cuesta College community.

In 500 words or less, with consideration to our Mission Statement and our values expressed above, please explain how you will demonstrate your commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in this position.

Reference List Instructions: Your reference list must include three professional references, their contact information, and their relationship to you.

Completed online applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by the closing date for this position. LATE, INCOMPLETE, FAXED, MAILED OR EMAILED APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

SALARY SCHEDULE

Below is the full salary schedule range for this position, steps A through E. Per Cuesta College's bargaining agreement, new employees are placed at Steps A through C, which is the anticipated hiring range also listed below. The bargaining agreement also includes step and longevity increases.For a full salary schedule, please see our website: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/salary_schedules.html

• Salary Schedule Range: $4,555 - $5,536 per month.

• Anticipated Hiring Range: $4,555 - $5,021 per month.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Cuesta College will not sponsor any visa applications.

San Luis Obispo County Community College District ("Cuesta College") is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), age, disability (physical and mental), genetic information, military and veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal and state law in admission and access to, or treatment in employment, educational programs or activities at any of its campuses. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. Cuesta College also prohibits harassment on any of these bases, including sexual harassment, as well as sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

In compliance with California law, all prospective staff and students are entitled to read the Annual Security Report, published each October by the Cuesta College Department of Public Safety. This report contains information about our emergency and crime reporting procedures, as well as crime statistics for the past 3 years. You may request a copy of this report at one of our two Public Safety Offices: on SLO campus at Building 6600A or on North County Campus at building N1021, during campus business hours. You may also access the complete text of this report at the following website address: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/publicsafety/clery_act

Cuesta College uses E-Verify as part of the I-9 process to verify the work eligibility of all new hires. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee's Form I-9 to data from U.S Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records. For further information, visit: https://www.cuesta.edu/about/depts/humanresources/Job_Opportunities.html

Interview Process Information

Selected applicants will be invited to attend a Zoom interview and skills test on Thursday, June 27th, 2024.