Seattle Colleges is looking to hire an Assistant Director of Financial Aid with Seattle Promise.

Salary Range for this position is $68,435.00-$94.504.00 annually. The expected starting annual rate of pay for this position is up to $78,000, depending on experience and qualifications.

Application and required materials must be submitted no later than / Opportunity is open until filled, first review of materials will begin December 16, 2024.

Position Summary

Are you passionate about supporting young adults achieve their educational goals? Are you looking to work with a high-performing team whose measure of success is their students achievements If yes, we invite you to consider joining the Seattle Colleges District Financial Aid team at an equity-focused, open-access three-college district.

Seattle Promise is an innovative college access and success program designed to serve recent high school graduates. This position will serve as a liaison between the Seattle Promise Program and all three campus Financial Aid Offices. Our Financial Aid teams deliver high quality service to students, prospective students and college partners. We are committed to creating an accessible, supportive environment and an educational experience that recognizes equity, justice, and cultural humility as integral components of academic excellence. We are committed to minimizing financial barriers to support students in achieving their educational goals. In addition, we provide detailed professional caring services to students with regard for individual circumstances. We respect the dignity of individuals and the privacy of confidential information. Our team works to ensure we are committed to the pursuit of equitable student learning outcomes for our diverse students. Candidates who can contribute to these values are encouraged to apply and identify their strengths in these areas. Black, indigenous, People of Color, immigrant, LGBTQIA+, and other historically marginalized candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Seattle Promise reports to the Executive Director of Financial Aid for Seattle Colleges and leads the district efforts in establishing program level policies and procedures that adhere to requirements of the Seattle Promise Program and all Financial Aid regulations. This position will assist cross-teams to address workflow and work volume as it relates to the daily operations and serving prospective and enrolled students in the program. The Assistant Director is responsible for working with each college and program leadership to support students in meeting milestones and aids in the work of the Seattle Promise Specialists to complete work within established deadlines. Through assessment and evaluation, this position will provide recommended alternative courses of action that are equitable, efficient, and focused on continuous improvement.

This position will work closely with Seattle Colleges Campus and District Financial Aid Directors, serve as a member of the Leadership Team, and collaborate with stakeholders across the district.

This position may supervise full-time staff and/or interns and/or student workers as appropriate and necessary.

This position will work to serve all students in the Seattle Promise Program. This position is funded by the City of Seattle's Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise (FEPP) Levy, which is fully funded through June 30, 2026.

This position is full-time, working 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, primarily 8:00am-5:00pm. Evening or weekend work may be required.

This position works a hybrid schedule with both remote and on-site work, arranged with the supervisor.

This position is governed by a collective bargaining agreement with representation by AFT Pro-Staff 6550.

About Us

We are a district of three distinct colleges: North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, and South Seattle College and five specialty training centers. Which makes us the largest and most diverse community college district in the state of Washington, we are leaders in change and innovation.

Seattle Colleges is committed to recruiting dedicated faculty and employees who together create a welcoming academic climate that reflects the diverse backgrounds of our community, including ethnicity, national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation.

As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates

• Promotional Opportunities

• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans

• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave

• Transportation benefits

• Tuition Waivers

• PEBB Wellness Plan

• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume

• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online

Notice to Applicants:
Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

What you will be working on:

• Serve as an advocate for individuals of historically oppressed communities, by supporting and enhancing a sense of belonging and success for students from traditionally marginalized populations with inclusive practices and a strong customer service model.

• Collaborate with the Financial Aid Teams at each Seattle College (North, Central, and South) to build inclusive practices that remove barriers for students while maintaining compliance with Seattle Promise Program requirements.

• Responsible for supervising and leading file review and awarding of financial aid funds, managing the application milestones and student eligibility determination.

• Work with the Seattle Promise and Financial Aid teams to ensure prompt and compassionate service is provided to eligible students.

• Analyze and improve processes used to monitor program eligibility based upon application data, milestone complete, and academic progress requirements

• Manage outreach efforts to students and families regarding FAFSA/WASFA/financial aid file completion in collaboration with college and Seattle Promise leadership and staff

• Participate in planning, coordination, and facilitation of Readiness Academy and Summer Bridge programs that result in a similar student experience at all three colleges

• Make strategic decisions in collaboration with Seattle Promise leadership and campus financial aid leadership to increase the number of Seattle Promise students completing their FAFSA/WASFA/financial aid record at Seattle Colleges.

• Participate in the development of program priorities as a member of the Seattle Promise team, including but not limited to developing and maintaining programming to build campus and community involvement with Seattle Promise.

• Evening or weekend work may be required.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.

What you bring as a candidate: (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)

• Relevant earned Bachelor's Degree

• Three (3) or more years of experience with financial aid awarding, file review, reconciliation, and program oversight.

• Experience leading programs, initiatives, staff, trainings, etc.

• Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of working to remove barriers for historically marginalized communities and students

DEMONSTRATED KNOWLEDGE OF:

• Financial aid programs, regulations, and rules pertaining to the exercise of professional judgment

• Federal and state resources available for training and compliance, including network of financial aid associations and annual conferences

• Systems used for processing, communicating, and overseeing student eligibility

• Financial aid processing dates that determine when tasks must be completed

DEMONSTRATED ABILITY TO:

• Understand, interpret and apply complex federal regulations, and conduct research

• Evaluate individual staff members need for training

• Think critically, be proactive, and take initiative

• Provide positive and constructive feedback to staff

• Communicate clearly, collaboratively, and consistently

• Meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work

• Work evenings and weekends as needed

Physical Demands and Disability Accommodation

• Ability to operate office equipment, receive and interpret data, and prepare various materials

• Ability to exchange information with supervisor, lead, co-workers, and students

• Ability to provide 1:1 support, present to small groups, and work at a computer exercising repetitive hand motion

• Work is performed primarily in office settings with frequent interruptions and encounters noises typical of these settings

Notice of Non-Discrimination Statement

Seattle Colleges is committed to the concept and practice of equal opportunity for all its students, employees, and applicants in education, employment, services and contracts, and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, color, age, national origin, religion, creed, marital status, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, status as an honorably discharged veteran or disabled veteran or military status, political affiliation or belief, citizenship/status as a lawfully admitted immigrant authorized to work in the United States, or presence of any physical, sensory, or mental disability. In addition, reasonable accommodation will be made for known physical or mental limitations for all otherwise qualified persons with disabilities. Further, the Seattle Colleges is committed to ensure that all employees and students work and learn in an environment that fosters mutual respect and professionalism, free from all forms of "bullying" behaviors, including "cyberbullying."

Inquiries regarding compliance and/or grievance procedures may be directed to the Director of Legal Compliance.

Background Check Statement