"Financial Aid Systems Technician"

Financial Aid Systems Technician

Company: Portland Community College

Job Location: Portland, 97280-0990

Category: Financial Aid

Type: Full-Time

****Join our Team at Portland Community College****

Portland Community College is the largest post-secondary institution in Oregon and 19th largest in the nation, serving approximately 80,000 full- and part-time students. PCC, which is roughly the size of Rhode Island, has four comprehensive campuses, five workforce training and education centers, and 200 community locations in the Portland metropolitan area. Wherever you're coming from and wherever you're going in life, Portland Community College has the classes and programs to get you there. Our unique role is to make high-quality education accessible to everyone, creating opportunities for our students and contributing to the economic development of our community.

Portland Community College embraces equity and inclusion as a priority. We are committed to building a community with a variety of backgrounds, skills, views, and life experiences. The more we value equity and inclusion, the more we will add value to the work we do and how we serve our students, engage with each other, and the Oregon Community that we serve. Creating a culture that honors equity and inclusion is our objective and the smart path forward.

Portland Community College will ensure that applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for the hiring process are provided for. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact the PCC Talent Acquisition Team at pccjobs@pcc.edu.

***Please Note:*** PCC currently limits employment to individuals residing in Oregon and Washington. Employment offers are contingent upon the ability to establish residence in Oregon or Washington.

Under the direction of the Associate Director of Financial Aid perform a variety of technical support activities for the financial aid systems including the financial aid application and correction record load process; transmission of application, Pell Grant origination/disbursement and transfer monitoring data to and from the federal processor. Supports the ongoing testing of programs, processes and data in Banner and other financial aid systems. Functions as the lead trainer of financial aid imaging system and assists in the disbursement of financial aid funds. Guides and advises students and prospective students concerning financial aid programs, forms, regulations and procedures.

Interpersonal contacts include college staff, federal agency representatives, students, faculty, and the public. Incumbent performs technical financial aid systems support on an independent basis subject to supervisory direction and review.

See the classification description for additional information: https://www.pcc.edu/hr/employment/classified-jobs/finaidsystmtech/

****What You'll Do and Who We Are Looking For****

Principal Accountabilities:

• Performs the federal financial aid application data load process, including downloading electronic application and correction records from the federal processor, uploading records to the Banner financial aid system, batch posting data requirements to applicant records, resolving data discrepancies, coordinating letter and postcard generation and maintaining the database. Transmits application and correction data to and from the federal processor.
• Transmits Pell Grant origination and disbursement records to and from the federal COD. Transmits transfer monitoring data to federal NSLDS system. Assists with troubleshooting and resolving transmission and/or data problems.
• Runs daily update reports after electronic data has been received and uploaded into the Banner system. Reviews and analyzes the reports to determine type and level of action required to update records and/or resolve discrepancies. Reviews data on the federal NSLDS system to determined default and overpayment information. Follows up with students or staff to resolve problems.
• Assists with the Banner annual set up process and on-going testing of Banner upgrades. Supports the development of basic programming statements, population selections, and rules maintenance in the Banner system.
• Provides assistance in the maintenance and enhancement of the financial aid Banner system, Image Now imaging system, financial aid web pages and other financial aid software systems.
• Functions as lead staff trainer for financial aid imaging system. Assists with Banner staff training.
• Performs data entry to convert award notifications.
• Assists in the disbursement of federal student aid; Performs revisions to financial aid awards due to changes in enrollment status, requests for changes in award and other special projects. Guides and advises students and prospective students concerning financial aid programs. Explains complex policies and procedures and answers questions.
• Assists applicants in completing the various forms required for financial aid. Resolves problems with document tracking, application status, and check disbursement. Scans and links documents into financial aid imaging system.
• Participates in professional development activities and attends training workshops. Performs other related duties as assigns.

These qualifications, skills and abilities are critical for success in this position. Throughout the screening process, you will be evaluated based on the demonstration of these qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in financial aid; especially pertaining to Direct Loan Processing.
• Demonstrated experience running and reviewing daily reports. Experience analyzing reports to determine type and level of action required to update records and/or resolve discrepancies.
• Have the ability to explain complex policies and procedures, and answer questions, to students, staff, and other constituents. Interact with federal and state agencies, lenders, and loan servicers.
• Analyze and identify work process improvements; implement changes in support of greater communication to students and efficiency in services; where appropriate, develop electronic processes to supplant manual activity.
• Under the guidance of the Director, involve affected departments and provide training as needed.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associates degree in computer science, information management, business or related area. Two years of related experience may substitute for the degree requirement.
• Two years of responsible financial aid experience with an emphasis on computer and systems support.
• Demonstrated experience working with complex procedures and regulations.
• Good analytical and problem solving skills required. Must be detailed oriented.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain accurate records and convey complex technical information. Requires keyboarding and math skills.

Job Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated Experience:

• Working with Banner or another SIS.
• With Direct Loan Reconciliation.
• Working with COD, NSLDS, EDConnect and ELM
• With the certification of federal and non-federal student loans.
• With federal R2T4 processing and related compliance requirements.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. Extensive use of a computer and long periods of sitting is required. Incumbent may be required to work extended hours on an intermittent basis. Some evening and Saturday work is necessary on a rotational basis. Job demands can be difficult due to heavy work flow, deadlines, competing priorities and changing regulations.

Physical Requirements

Learned physical skill is required for keyboarding.

****Position Grade****
Classified 19 (A)

****Employment Type****
Full time