26-112 Veterans School Certifying Official (SUA 2)

Join a vibrant campus community whose excellence is reflected in its diversity and student success. West Chester University of Pennsylvania invites applicants for the position of Veterans School Certifying Official within the Weisenstein Veterans Center.

West Chester University, a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, is a public, comprehensive institution committed to offering high-quality undergraduate education, selected post-baccalaureate and graduate programs, and a variety of educational and cultural resources for its students, alumni, and citizens of southeastern Pennsylvania. We are a community of educators dedicated to developing graduates who succeed personally and professionally and contribute to the common good.

West Chester University proudly offers a positive and purposeful work environment; comprehensive employee benefits including health, vision, and dental insurance along with many wellness programs; a commitment to work-life balance including generous paid vacation, paid sick time, military leave and paid time off for most major holidays; and a University mission to support employee personal and professional growth including a tuition waiver for self and family members, training and development, and advancement opportunities.

WCU earned the 2025-2026 Military Friendly® School designation and has advanced to Gold status in recognition of leading practices, outcomes, and effective programs for members of the military and veterans enrolled at the University. The Greg and Sandra Weisenstein Veterans Center strives to create an expansive culture and safe space of understanding, acceptance, and success for veterans, active military, reservists, dependents, and those who support them. The Center facilitates communication among our campus offices to provide students with a coordinated system of support and meaningful transition from the military to West Chester University.

In collaboration with the Director of the Veterans Center, the Veterans School Certifying Official supports certification and compliance for WCU veterans and military family members. This position acts as a liaison between the university and the Department of Veterans Administration (DVA); works in partnership with the Financial Aid office to guide prospective and enrolled student-veterans and eligible family members through all phases of their university career; and provides excellent customer service support.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate work experience in federal programs and federal reporting, management; military and veterans affairs experience; work experience at a university or federal administration; knowledge of Department of Veteran Affairs operations, policies, and procedures; excellent customer service skills; the ability to manage multiple priorities with accuracy in a fast paced environment; and a commitment to student success.

Responsibilities include:

• Serve as the primary School Certifying Official to prepare, review, and submit documentation for certification of student Veteran education entitlements of the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA)
• Comply with VA and related federal regulations, state statutes, and current practices
• Prepare accurate and concise VA and University reports
• Submit enrollment certifications to DVA utilizing VA ONCE
• Act as a liaison between DVA Veterans Readiness and Employment Specialist and veterans with disabilities
• Assign anticipated VA awards for Post 9-11 and Veterans Readiness and Employment recipients
• Disburse funds as received from the DVA
• Resolve any issues and processing of VA debt letters related to student withdrawals from classes
• Track VA funding and review accuracy
• Monitor student veteran enrollment and report changes as needed
• Monitor the subject pursued by the student and certify to VA those which apply to degree program
• Monitor grades to ensure satisfactory progress
• Report when students are ended due to unsatisfactory progress or misconduct
• Provide information and technical support to perspective and current WCU students and veteran families seeking VA educational benefits
• Assist student with a variety of DVA program applications
• Resolve student-veteran record issues relating to enrollment, billing, transfer credits, and graduation
• Perform case files management, including archiving and destruction
• Coordinate and receive program compliance audits from the VA Regional Office
• Collaborate with various campus offices
• Successfully complete U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Online School Official Training
• Complete annual training to remain compliant with Section 305 of the Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2017 and to continue employment as a School Certifying Official with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
• Other duties assigned

• Bachelor's degree
• Experience working with military-connected service members or their families
• Specific knowledge of armed services organizational components and structures
• Demonstrated proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite including Outlook, Word, and Excel

• Professional experience as a VA School Certifying Official
• Experience working with Department of Veteran Affairs operations, policies, and procedures
• Professional experience in federal programs including federal reporting, management, and administration
• Experience using VA-Once
• Experience working with military and veterans' affairs in a higher education setting
• Experience with student information systems and document management systems used in higher education