Director, Financial Aid

Kern Community College District
United States, California, Bakersfield
Mar 25, 2025
Director, Financial Aid Kern Community College District Salary: $134,531.96 - $190,090.14 Annually Job Type: Full Time Job Number: FY24-2501150 Location: Bakersfield, CA Department: Financial Aid Basic Function The Director of Financial Aid develops, implements, and manages the multi-faceted student financial aid programs at Bakersfield College, and serves as the Financial Aid Administrator of record for all purposes specified within federal and state regulations and guidelines. Under the direct supervision of the Vice President of Student Services or assigned supervisor, the Director, Financial Aid is responsible for ensuring accuracy, timeliness, completeness and compliance with regulations. The director shall establish proactive services, assistance and resources for students and their families and shall develop, implement, and monitor annual financial aid and budgets, including establishing goals and activities and evaluating program outcomes for all programs supervised. The Director of Financial Aid will maximize Financial Aid's role in recruitment, retention, and student success. Representative Duties Participate as a member of campus-wide committees along with other directors and deans. Ensure Financial Aid representation and share appropriate knowledge amongst other areas of the college. Establish strategic goals for department. Serve as consultant on financial aid issues that impact faculty, staff, and students. Provide training and materials to College staff. Review and evaluate assigned programs and services; recommend and implement approved plans and policies to facilitate and improve the operations and programs within areas of responsibility. Lead and direct Financial Aid Office. Supervise in accordance with college policies and applicable laws including training, evaluation, reward and discipline, and address and resolve problems. Lead staff meetings, share information, and promote development of ideas for improvement of service and efficiency. Assist staff in developing professional goals and objectives. Encourage teamwork. Monitor State and federal regulations and ensure compliance and oversight. Maintain liaison with federal, state, county, and other agencies to answer questions, resolve problems, provide data, and interpret and apply changes in rules and regulations concerning financial aid in the college community. Work closely with the district destination point administrator (DPA) for federal electronic and online systems. Complete federal, state, and institutional reports, including applications for federal funding and reports of the expenditures of funds allocated, such as the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP). Develop and generate statistical data and reports related to various programs supervised. Assist in the design and assessment of institutional research focusing on student outcomes. Maintain fund control records in accordance with funding level limitations. Manage the staff to provide insight and leadership regarding various functions of compliance review, communications, systems review, and budget assessment. Ensure compliance with all federal and State regulations, which impacts the administration of financial aid programs and mandates maintenance and reporting. Provide direction and clarification when regulations are unclear or appear to be in conflict between federal, state, and/or college policies. Responsible for filing and maintaining the Program Participation Agreement (PPA), FISAP, and other reports required by governmental and other agencies, which impacts all Federal Title IV funding. Review yearly reference materials and implements revised procedures which impact the delivery of financial aid. Develop and enhance policies and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable governing bodies related to financial aid and scholarships. Monitor and modify financial aid packaging in accordance with regulations. Set annual packaging guidelines to be followed during the award year. Oversee the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and Return of Title IV funds processes. Direct the budget of the Financial Aid Office. Work with the Business Services and Information Technology to ensure proper fund management and disbursement as well as accurate and timely exchange of information between school information systems. Coordinate internal reconciliation efforts and report to reviewing entities such as auditors, program reviewers, and accreditation teams. Administer a comprehensive scholarship program with funding from the Bakersfield College Foundation and from private and community donors. Disseminate federal and state financial aid program information, such as the Community College Promise Grant (CCPG), Cal Grant, Federal Work-Study (FWS), Direct Loans, Pell Grant, Emergency Aid, and Scholarships. Collaborate across campus on ways to increase financial literacy, reduce student financial aid bad debt and reduce cohort default rates. Ensure compliance with all policies and regulations through accurate reporting, auditing and resolve audit findings. Provide current updated information and training on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). Perform other position-related duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Master's degree preferably in student affairs or higher education management or the equivalent of a combination of education and related experience. Minimum of five years' experience in a Financial Aid Office. Demonstrated experience with an enterprise level Student Information System (SIS). Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees. Salary Management Salary Schedule, Range 015 $134,531.96 - $190,090.14 monthly (Maximum Entry Level Salary: $141,342.64 annually) Special Instructions Complete application packets will be accepted until the position is filled. However, applications received by 03 /10/25 are assured consideration. The District and/or College reserves the right to extend time limits or reinitiate the recruitment/selection process at any point. Completed application packet s must include the following. Completed Online Application for Employment form Current resume Letter of interest (Cover Letter) Copy of legible transcripts, if applicable List of five (5) professional references - Listed on application form It is the applicant's responsibility to redact or remove any personal information from all documents prior to uploading. This includes Social Security Numbers, Date of Birth, and any photos of the applicant. International or Foreign Degree s Applicants with international or foreign degrees from colleges or universities outside of the United States must have their coursework evaluated by a professional association that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, INC. (ACEI). A copy of the evaluation must be submitted with your online application. Accommodations Applicants who require reasonable accommodation to participate in the selection process should contact Human Resources to make the necessary arrangements. (See our EEO Plan 2021-2024.) Discrimination Free Work Environment The District and College are strongly committed to achieving staff diversity and the principles of equal employment opportunity. The District and College encourages a diverse pool of applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, religion, age, gender, gender identity, gender expression, race or ethnicity, color, medical condition, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, or because he/she is perceived to have one or more of the foregoing characteristics, or based on association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law, in any of its policies, procedures or practices. (See our Discrimination Free Work Environment information.) Work Authorization Kern Community College District does not provide sponsorship for authorization to work in the United States. Work authorization should be established at the time of application submission. Knowledge & Abilities Knowledge of: Applicable California Education Code provisions and Title V requirements pertaining to Financial Aid. Technical Federal and State laws and regulations pertaining to student financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loan programs. Accounting, budgeting, and fiscal reporting. Application procedures for financial aid programs, financial aid verification and packaging concept. Data processing systems and software applicable to the analysis, award, and disbursement of student financial aid. Personnel procedures and skill in supervising and training staff. Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers. Ability to: Work as part of a management team dedicated to collaboration and the college goal of integrating instruction and student services as a way to create and maintain a supportive student-learning environment. Comprehend and interpret government regulations related to programs. Analyze student financial aid needs and award student financial aid. Develop and implement systems for effective delivery of student financial aid. Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines. Select, train, and evaluate assigned staff. Analyze and prepare administrative reports, both narrative and statistical. Effective represent the College to outside individuals and agencies in the course of work. Participate in the preparation and administration of assigned budget. Effectively communicate orally and in writing. Manage comprehensive sources of funds in excess of $48 million. Apply legal and policy provisions/regulations to various problems consistently and correctly. Demonstrate sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic background of community college students and personnel, including those with physical or learning disabilities. All applicants must apply online at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/kccd/jobs/4846070/director-financial-aid. Emails will not be accepted. jeid-a5f288080bf9b049afafbec9cdebe4b7