San Diego State University Hiring for Financial Aid Senior Counselor (Student Services Professional IV) at San Diego Full Time

Job no: 535031
Work type: Staff
Location: San Diego
Categories: Unit 4 – APC – Academic Professionals of California, Probationary, Full Time, Student Services, On-site (work in-person at business location)

Position Summary

Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Senior Counselor provides program-wide critical support and oversight for highly complex operational financial aid functions, which include training staff and Cal Coast Student Financial Center Junior Counselors. This position is also responsible for high-level program management and compliance that involves highly sensitive and difficult issues.

This is a full-time (1.0 time-base), benefits eligible, permanent/probationary position. This position is designated exempt under FLSA and is not eligible for overtime compensation. Standard SDSU work hours are Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., but may vary based on operational needs.

The individual hired into this role will work on campus at SDSU in San Diego.

Department Summary

The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Campus Diversity is responsible for the coordination and development of student services and building the inclusive excellence of SDSU’s staff and faculty at San Diego State University. Departments include, but not limited to, Assistant Deans for Student Affairs; Basic Needs Center/ECRT; Career Services; Center for Educational Partnerships, Outreach and Success; Digital Marketing and Creative Services; Counseling and Psychological Services; The Office of Educational Opportunity Programs, Outreach and Success; Financial Aid and Scholarships; Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center; New Student and Parent Programs; Office of the Student Ombudsman; Residential Education; Resource Management; Student Disability Success Center; Cal Coast Student Financial Center: Student Health Services; Student Life and Leadership; Student Rights and Responsibilities; Testing Services Office; Well-being & Health Promotion; Cultural Centers; and programming related to Inclusive Excellence.

Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity

The Division works proactively to address systemic inequities through professional learning, community building, advocacy, policy recommendations and organizational structures, while facilitating an integrated vision and shared responsibility for prioritizing and advancing institutional goals. We aim to foster an affirming campus culture based on the core values of excellence, equity, diversity, belonging and inclusion through:

Recruiting and retaining faculty and staff who are reflective of the diverse student body and communities served by SDSU, and recruiting students who are representative of the rich diversity of the region and the world;

Fostering an environment that is welcoming, affirming, and empowering for students, faculty, staff and alumni of all backgrounds;

Enhancing the career and educational pathways of a diverse student body, the faculty and staff, including enhancing the learning environment and expanding learning opportunities for all students inside and outside the classroom, and expanding and connecting opportunities for students to participate in transformational experiences;

Developing leaders who believe in and lead others toward supporting civility, mutual respect and diversity in our society and workplaces; and

Cultivating relationships with the local community that advance the well-being of diverse individuals and communities.

Position upholds the Student Affairs and Campus Diversity Statement on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, specifically:

“The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity acknowledges and honors the inherent value and dignity of all individuals by creating and nurturing a learning and working environment that affirms and leverages our community’s diversity of traditions, heritages, perspectives, and experiences. We are committed to fostering a culture of inclusive excellence designed to facilitate the personal and professional success, growth, development, and well-being of all members of our community. We manifest this commitment through our innovative, strategic and collaborative efforts to develop leaders who believe in and lead others toward practicing civility, mutual respect, and inclusion in our workplaces and society.”

The Student Financial Resource sub-division, within the Division of Student Affairs & Campus Diversity houses four separate student service offices- the Cal Coast Student Financial Center (CCSFC), the Financial Aid Office, the Scholarship Office, and the Basic Needs/Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT). This subdivision focuses on delivering student-centered engagement in an environment that is transparent, highly regulated and compliance driven under the leadership of an Assistant Vice President.

The Financial Aid Office (FAO) supports students attending SDSU at all of the university’s campuses – San Diego, Imperial Valley, and Global Campus. FAO determines student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and private/institutional scholarship funds according to applicable statutes, regulations, and requirements, and coordinates the administration of these funds with numerous external sources. The responsibilities are carried out by highly trained staff using the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions Financial Aid module in an efficient and effective organizational structure. The Office’s broad range of responsibilities includes awarding over $300 million of financial aid and scholarship funds coordinated and administered by the university, counseling students and parents about availability and eligibility criteria for all aid programs, coordinating reporting responsibilities with all funding sources, and managing aid delivery in a timely and accurate manner.

For more information regarding the Financial Aid Office click here.

Education and Experience

Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field plus upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing and conflict resolution where such are job related.

Possession of the below required knowledge and abilities is typically demonstrated through the equivalent to four years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience which includes experience in advising students individually and in groups, and in analysis and resolution of complex student services problems.

A master’s degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work or a job-related field may be substituted for one year of professional experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling, guidance or a job-related field may be substituted for two years of the required professional experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional, personal or career counseling.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of financial aid law, rules and regulations.
• Maintain in-depth knowledge of the policies and procedures governing student financial aid administration.
• Ability to make decisions based on logic and proper interpretation of regulations.
• Ability to contribute to the management of aid program objectives and implement changes that better serve students, other office units, and the public.
• Must possess excellent managerial and administrative skills that include strong communication with staff, good listening skills, effective evaluation strategies, ability to motivate, resolve problems, evaluate accuracy and correctness of activities and strong written and oral persuasive abilities.
• Must be willing to sincerely evaluate divergent opinions and recommendations from staff.
• Must be empathic with a large number of staff from varying backgrounds, experience, and preparations.

Compensation and Benefits

Starting salary upon appointment is not expected to exceed $5,732 per month.

Salary placement is determined by the education, experience, and qualifications the candidate brings to the position, internal equity, and the hiring department’s fiscal resources.

San Diego State University offers a rich benefits package that constitutes a major portion of total compensation. For more information regarding SDSU benefits, please click here.

CSU Classification Salary Range: $5,732 – $8,176 per month.

Diversity and Community at SDSU

At SDSU, our diversity gives us power and benefits every single member of our community.

Through our commitment to equity and inclusion, we encourage all members of our community to purposefully learn from one another through open and respectful dialogue and responsible engagement. For more information, click here.

Principles of Community

At San Diego State University, we are a community of diverse individuals who have and represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities. This diversity lends our community strength, and we commit to creating and sustaining an inclusive and intellectually vibrant environment that benefits all members of our university.

SDSU’s Principles of Community is an aspirational statement that is intended to evolve over time. The statement reflects the ideals we are encouraged to uphold in our interactions with one another.

Supplemental Information

Initial review of the required application materials, including cover letters and resumes, will begin on February 12, 2024. To receive full consideration, apply by February 11, 2024. The position will remain open until filled.

The person holding this position is considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

San Diego State University is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions (e.g., H-1B visa). Applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Offers of employment are contingent upon the presentation of documents that demonstrate a person’s identity and authorization to work in the United States, which are consistent with the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily and is required for employment. SDSU will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current SDSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

SDSU is a smoke-free campus. For more information, please click here.

SDSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer that considers all qualified candidates for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, covered military and veteran status, or any other protected characteristic or status. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who request an accommodation by contacting Pang Thao at [email protected].

Advertised: Jan 24, 2024 (9:00 AM) Pacific Standard Time
Applications close: Open until filled