Job Details
Job Title: Director of Student Financial Services - Student Services - Columbia College
Site: Columbia College
Salary Range/Other: Management Salary Schedule (2025-2026) Range 38: $9,650 to $12,261 monthly or $9,901 to $12,512 monthly with earned Doctorate. New appointees will receive year-for-year credit for prior management experience to a maximum of Step C.
Benefits: The District currently pays for a health options for the employee and dependents. Employees may elect to pay a premium for a higher health option. Vision care and dental insurance premiums for the employee and dependents is District paid. Income protection and life insurance premiums for the employee are also District paid. The estimated cost of District provided benefits (health, dental, vision, and life) is $24,408 annually.
Scope of Assignment
DEFINITION Under general administrative direction, plans, organizes, integrates, and manages work pertaining to the Financial Aid department; the efficient and equitable disbursement of grants and loans to students, determines department needs, formulates action plans and works with staff to deliver department services; provides expert and professional assistance and guidance to college administration on financial aid; and preforms related duties as assigned.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED Receives general administrative direction from upper-level Administration, Dean or Vice President of Student Services. Provides direct supervision to numerous financial aid staff as well as other programmatic and administrative support staff, as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Education/Experience, Knowledge and Ability requirements are representative of essential duties. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Education and Experience
- Education: Equivalent to the completion of an earned Master of Arts or higher degree from an accredited college or university in educational administration, financial management, career and vocational education, or a closely related field.
- Experience: Four years of successful financial aid experience, and supervisory experience in career development and placement programs with experience working with the District’s computerized financial aid software a plus.
Knowledge of
- Federal and state laws and regulations governing student aid, veterans and CalWORKS.
- Principles, techniques, strategies, goals, and objectives of public education;
- Methods, techniques, procedures, and strategies concerning the assessment and evaluation of the financial aid, scholarship, and veteran affairs programs;
- Legal mandates, policies, regulations, and operational procedures pertaining to the Federal and State projects and programs concerning local funding sources;
- Data management computer software related to financial aid administration.
- Business management, supervision, human resource practices and strategies, conflict resolution strategies, and team building principles and techniques.
- Budgeting and general accounting procedures.
Ability to
- Provide resource support and coordination of a comprehensive financial aid programs and services;
- Analyze and assess program needs, and implementing program activity revisions, additions, or deletions, as necessary;
- Conduct and participate in the review and evaluation of the financial aid and related programs and projects; advise, evaluate and award financial aid;
- Serve as a resource to District instruction, support and management personnel; work with a wide variety of students to assist in the interpretation of financial aid policies and procedures;
- Establish and maintain effective organization, community, and public relationships;
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing; prepare a variety of clear and concise reports;
- Understand and carry out oral and written directions with minimal supervisory controls.
Desirable Qualifications
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Desirable Professional Characteristics
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Example of Duties
ESSENTIAL DUTIES
- Plans, organizes, directs, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of the Financial Aid department; implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget; manages and directs development, implementation and evaluation of plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
- Directs and manages the performance of staff; directs and oversees the selection/hiring of staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets for direct reports; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; hears and acts on grievances; subject to concurrence by Human Resources, approves or takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance Board policies, Administrative Regulations, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
- Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, service-oriented work environment that supports achievement of the departments and college’s mission, objectives and values; promotes workplace diversity, inclusion, cultural competency and a positive work environment.
- With other members of senior management, participates in the development and implementation of College and District strategic plans, goals and objectives; leads and directs department staff in the development and application of new methodologies, technologies and business process improvements to achieve higher efficiency, productivity and customer service in department work processes.
- Directs, plans and ensures the timely, efficient and proper determination of student eligibility for financial aid, grants and loans; oversees the comparison of financial need with available financial aid and personally adjudicates the more complex and difficult financial aid and student account issues and appeals; interprets, explains and enforces policies, procedures and practices; provides technical direction to staff and information to students pertaining to Financial Aid rules, regulations, operational procedures associated federal and state programs; reviews, develops and implements policies, procedures and practices.
- Directs the planning, coordination and development of annual outreach plans, financial aid in-reach and outreach workshops and community presentations.
- Reports changes and submits recertifications of the Program Participation Agreement (PPA) and Eligibility and Certification Approval Report (ECAR) to maintain institutional eligibility and compliance; oversees institutional responses to independent audits, internal audits and federal and state program reviews.
- Oversees the completion, submission and maintenance of 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) and Student Services Automated Reporting for Community Colleges (SSARCC), liaisons with the Department of Education to ensure the college meets all regulatory requirements and to recover previously disbursed funds.
- Evaluates the impacts of current and proposed changes in laws, reporting regulations and academic policies and procedures and makes recommendations to District administrators and other colleges, departments and divisions; performs, prepares and presents program review and unit review; conducts studies and special projects.
- Consults and coordinates with the college and District information technology departments to define system requirements and upgrades of computerized financial aid management systems to ensure appropriate use and development of technology to support department functions; coordinates relevant activities with other departments such as EOPS, CalWORKs and the Counseling.
- Interprets, applies and ensures compliance with applicable laws, codes and regulations; remains current on applicable legislative decisions and developments.
- Makes presentations to the Board of Trustees and to other board-level groups.
- Serves on District committees and represents the District at local, regional, state and national conferences, meetings, workshops and training seminars; maintains 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.
- Participates in shared governance processes and initiatives.
- Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Licenses and Certificates
- Possession of valid California Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.
Physical and Mental Standards
- Mobility: ability to sit for long periods, move about an office, stand occasionally, reach above and below desk level.
- Dexterity: fine manipulation sufficient to operate a keyboard, handle individual papers, write and take notes.
- Lifting: occasional lifting of papers, files, equipment and material weighing up to 25 pounds.
- Visual Requirements: close vision sufficient to read files, documents, and computer screens and do close-up work; ability to adjust focus frequently.
- Hearing/Talking: ability to hear normal speech, speak and hear on the telephone, and speak in person.
- Emotional/Psychological Factors: ability to make decisions and concentrate; frequent contact with others including some public contact; frequent deadlines and time-limited assignments.
Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
Typical Working Conditions
- Work is generally performed in a standard office environment.
- Work may require occasional evening and weekend hours.
Additional Applicant Information
Applications are accepted online only at:
https://www.yosemite.edu/recruitment/employmentopportunities/
Select Job Openings, Select Search Jobs, Select Job Title, Create an account and Apply to this job.
SELECTION PROCEDURES
Only online application packets will be accepted including:
- YCCD Administrative online application, including contact information for at least three professional references.
- Resume
- Personal letter of interest
- Unofficial Transcript
Applications will be reviewed by a screening committee which will select candidates to be interviewed. Those applicants selected for personal interview will be notified by email or phone. In accordance with Board policy official offers of employment will be made only by the Chancellor or Vice Chancellor/Human Resources, YCCD. Final appointment is subject to confirmation by the Board of Trustees. Federal law requires the District employ only US citizens and aliens authorized to work in the United States. Written verification of employment eligibility is required.
BACKGROUND CHECK: A background investigation of new employees is required, including reference checks and a state criminal history report. Employment will not begin until the history check has been cleared by Human Resources. The cost for the criminal history report will be the responsibility of the successful candidate.
The District may hire more than one applicant from this applicant pool. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the position.
The Yosemite Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
It is the policy of Yosemite Community College District (Modesto Junior College and Columbia College) not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or disability in its educational programs and its employment practices. YCCD BP 3410 Nondiscrimination can be found at: https://www.yosemite.edu/trustees/board_policy/3410%20Nondiscrimination.pdf
Title IX Sexual Harassment regulations define Title IX Sexual Harassment to include four terms “as defined in” the Clery Act and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA): Sexual Assault, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence, and Stalking.
In accordance with 34 C.F.R. §§ 100.6(d), 104.8, and 106.9; and 28 C.F.R. § 35.106, the following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504/Title II policies:
District Title IX/Civil Rights Compliance Coordinator
Yosemite Community College District
2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto, CA 95358
Open Date: 08/04/2026
Close Date: 09/08/2026
Open Until Filled: No
Organization
On behalf of everyone at the Yosemite Community College District Office, Modesto Junior College and Columbia College, we welcome you to our District. All of our employees throughout the District are dedicated to excellence in serving our students. Even with all the fiscal issues that we are facing within the State of California, our staff has been working miracles with continuously reduced budgets. We continue to serve our students well, and provide them with great opportunities and a quality education. As the Chancellor, I am very proud of their efforts and dedication.
One of my greatest challenges is to ensure the educational quality and fiscal stability of our institutions. One way this is accomplished is through long-range planning. There are many exciting things on the horizon for the Colleges of the YCCD - especially with all the construction and completion of our Measure E building projects. We are very grateful to the community for your support of these efforts. Students will benefit for years to come; we extend to you heartfelt thanks.
The Mission of the Yosemite Community College District is: "The YCCD is committed to responding to the needs of our diverse community through excellence in teaching, learning and support programs contributing to social, cultural and economic development and wellness." We take this mission statement seriously; it is the one key element that we base all our efforts on - it is our charge to provide excellent, meaningful service to the community.
As educators, we always focus on offering life-changing opportunities for our students; that is our business. One of the most enjoyable experiences in my 30 year higher education career has been witnessing lives changing right before my eyes as students graduate or achieve their educational goals. When they go on to create successful lives for themselves, their families and their communities I know we have done our job! This is the reward of the work that we collectively do at the Yosemite Community College District. I most cordially invite you to become more involved in our dynamic educational community called the YCCD.
Most sincerely,
Joan E. Smith, Ed.D.
Columbia College is a dynamic institution of learners and creative thinkers dedicated to high standards of student success. We prepare students to be fully engaged in an evolving world by offering comprehensive and high quality programs and services. Columbia College is committed to a culture of improvement through measuring student learning across the institution. We strive for excellence, foster a spirit of professionalism and embrace diversity.
Modesto Junior College, one of the oldest community colleges in the state, was organized in 1921 to serve the first junior college district established under a State Legislature Enabling Act. Modesto Junior College was established to meet the needs of the community. Today the college strives to maintain the same objective—that of dedication and service to the community.
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