Senior Student Veteran Support Specialist & VA Certifying Official, UMKC Student Affairs

Hiring Department

The Office of Student Veteran Support Services is committed to supporting veterans and military-affiliated students at UMKC by offering targeted programming and services tailored to their unique needs. The office connects students with resources to facilitate their academic success, community engagement, and smooth transition into the workforce.

This role serves as the VA School Certifying Official (SCO) by reviewing, processing, and submitting enrollment certifications to the Department of Veterans Affairs in a timely and accurate manner.

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

As the primary VA School Certifying Official (SCO), this position ensures the University’s compliance with federal regulations while supporting the academic success of military-affiliated students. Key responsibilities include:

• Benefits Certification & Enrollment: Review, process, and submit enrollment certifications to the Department of Veterans Affairs via the Enrollment Management system. Confirm accuracy of course loads, credit hours, and term dates for all new and returning students.
• Compliance & Auditing: Conduct regular audits of student records, curriculum changes, and degree progress. Submit timely amendments for student separations, probations, dismissals, or program completions to maintain institutional compliance.
• Student Support & Advocacy: Proactively identify potential shortfalls in benefit entitlements and communicate directly with students to resolve issues affecting their educational funding.
• Records Management: Maintain meticulous records of all certifications, adjustments, and supporting documentation in accordance with VA regulations and University policies.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Utilize IT reporting tools (such as Cognos) to mine data, generate internal reports, and ensure the accuracy of all veteran-related student data.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Coordinate with the Office of the Registrar, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, and academic units to resolve record discrepancies and streamline the student experience.
• Regulatory Expertise: Interpret and apply complex VA regulations; maintain required annual VA training and certifications, which may include occasional overnight travel.
• Administrative Support: Enforce University policies and perform other duties as assigned by the Senior Program Manager, Student Veteran Support Services.

Shift

• There will be occasional travel (including overnight stays) for mandatory VA training.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least two (2) years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a varied student population, specifically Veterans and military-affiliated students.
• Proven experience working with enterprise data systems, databases, or Student Information Systems (SIS) to manage sensitive records.
• Experience coordinating across multiple administrative departments (e.g., Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts) to resolve complex data or billing discrepancies.
• Strong organizational skills with a history of maintaining records in compliance with federal, state, or institutional regulations.
• 2+ years of experience in higher education records management, data processing, or VA School Certifying Official (SCO) duties.
• Functional experience with Banner (SIS) and Cognos (Reporting) or similar enterprise-level tools.
• Possession of a current VA School Certifying Official (SCO) training certificate.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interpret and explain complex federal regulations to students and staff.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $18.87- $23.00 per hour.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Grade: GGS008

University Title: SENIOR STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST