Special Information

• This position is a hybrid position which allows the incumbent to complete their work at both an NAU site, campus, or facility and at a non-centralized site with or without accommodation.
• This position is for an Intermediate or Senior level position, based on the selected candidates qualifications, skills and experience. Individuals should mention which level position they are applying for in their cover letter, or application materials.

About the Department/College

Northern Arizona University is seeking a Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate (or Senior) to join the Scholarships team who is committed to the Enrollment Management values of student service, integrity, valuing human difference, engagement, sustainability, responsibility, and excellence.

This position requires the full understanding and active participation in fulfilling the mission of the organization. It is expected that the employee demonstrates behavior consistent with the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid Office’s (OFSA) core values (Empowerment, Service, Respectful Communication, Advocacy, Accountability and Integrity) and supports the strategic plan of the division of Enrollment Management strategic plan.

About the Position

The Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate-Scholarships, Scholarship Universe within the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid (OSFA) position assists in the implementation, and evaluation of the highly visible Scholarships Universe program centralization at Northern Arizona University. The position oversees the overall coordination of the Northern Arizona University Foundation Scholarship program within Scholarship Universe totaling over 600 scholarships. This includes the evaluation and coordination of the NAU Foundation and private financial aid awards, serves as the department liaison, participates in the planning and organization of the awarding process to ensure compliance, quality control and accurate and timely processing of requests. The advisor also serves as a key team resource, frequently stepping in to assist colleagues with various scholarship processes and helping the unit adapt to seasonal workload demands.

This position reports to the Scholarship Manager and is located on the Flagstaff Mountain campus.

Responsibilities Include

Financial Aid Advisor, Intermediate:

Scholarship Application Portal Maintenance – 60%

• Oversees and maintains Scholarship Universe Scholarship portal.
• Updates portal with NAUF scholarship information.
• Works with Business Analysts on uploading data from PeopleSoft to Scholarship Universe.
• Notifies students via Scholarship Universe of eligibility.
• Work collaboratively with Operations areas and other departments’ campus-wide, including but not limited to Service Center, Solution Center, Office of the Registrar, and Student Account Department Services.
• Monitors the expenditure of funds in each of NAU foundation scholarships.
• Making necessary changes in Scholarship Universe based on new/updated Gift Agreement details, including changes to Portfolio/Opportunity Details, Qualifications, Questions, etc.
• Requests additional information for any incomplete or inconsistent requests to perform accurate award assessments.
• Update Payout Details for Opportunities in Scholarship Universe. This will determine the amount of money that can be awarded for the New Cycle.
• Oversees the coordination of the university scholarship committees.
• Re-awards Scholarships as needed.
• Implement ideas for streamlining processes for efficiency.
• Proactive with identifying students for scholarships if no one applied in OSFA Scholarship Application.
• Completes and submits reporting requirements for several scholarship reports on a regular basis.
• Answers questions, inquiries or requests of students, parents, departments or staff in person, in writing or by telephone regarding scholarship eligibility and awards.

Scholarship Universe Management – 20%

• Confers with and advises staff, students and others to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions; refers to appropriate department or person when unable to respond.
• Acts as a resource to academic departments on Scholarship Universe navigation.
• Collaborate with Colleges/Departments to review changes implemented by Central Team.
• Testing/troubleshooting before scholarship application goes live.
• Participate in special projects and cross-training within office as needed.
• Ensure operations is following federal, state and institutional regulations and provide and communicate timely resolutions as needed.
• Interacts and maintains excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, students and outside/community agencies in facilitating Student Financial Aid program objectives.
• Assists Assistant Director of Scholarships in meeting the usage objectives of departmental, and state scholarship accounts.
• Respond to applicant questions.
• Resolve any urgent technical issues and general help questions about Scholarship Universe usage and notify applicant directly (email, phone, etc.).

Collaboration and Teamwork – 20%

• Develops and fosters a collaborative work environment Investigate student accounts as needed to resolve any and all problems.
• Updates policies and procedures pertaining to the awarding of foundation scholarships on an annual basis.
• Assist in testing updates and fixes, system upgrades, and other data processing as needed.
• Supports teammates and key processes during peak periods.

Other – 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Financial Aid Advisor, Senior:

Scholarship Application Portal Maintenance – 60%

• Oversees and maintains Scholarship Universe Scholarship portal.
• Updates portal with NAUF scholarship information.
• Works with Business Analysts on uploading data from PeopleSoft to Scholarship Universe.
• Notifies students via Scholarship Universe of eligibility.
• Collaborate directly with Operations areas and other departments’ campus-wide, including but not limited to Service Center, Solution Center, Office of the Registrar, and Student Account Department Services.
• Monitors the expenditure of funds in each of NAU foundation scholarships.
• Making necessary changes in Scholarship Universe based on new/updated Gift Agreement details, including changes to Portfolio/Opportunity Details, Qualifications, Questions, etc.
• Requests additional information for any incomplete or inconsistent requests to perform accurate award assessments.
• Update Payout Details for Opportunities in Scholarship Universe. This will determine the amount of money that can be awarded for the New Cycle.
• Oversees the coordination of the university scholarship committees.
• Re-awards Scholarships as needed.
• Independently identify and implement enhancements to existing processes for efficiency.
• Proactive with identifying students for scholarships if no one applied in OSFA Scholarship Application.
• Completes and submits reporting requirements for several scholarship reports on a regular basis.
• Answers questions, inquiries or requests of students, parents, departments or staff in person, in writing or by telephone regarding scholarship eligibility and awards.

Scholarship Universe Management – 20%

• Confers with and advises staff, students and others to provide technical advice, problem solving assistance, answers to questions; refers to appropriate department or person when unable to respond.
• Acts as a resource to academic departments on Scholarship Universe navigation.
• Collaborate with Colleges/Departments to review changes implemented by Central Team.
• Testing/troubleshooting before scholarship application goes live.
• Participate in special projects and cross-training within office as needed.
• Ensure operations is following federal, state and institutional regulations and provide and communicate timely resolutions as needed.
• Interacts and maintains excellent working relationships with faculty, staff, students and outside/community agencies in facilitating Student Financial Aid program objectives.
• Assists Assistant Director of Scholarships in meeting the usage objectives of departmental, and state scholarship accounts.
• Respond to applicant questions.
• Resolve any urgent technical issues and general help questions about Scholarship Universe usage and notify applicant directly (email, phone, etc.).

Collaboration and Teamwork – 15%

• Works closely with the Assistant Director of Scholarships to oversee student staff assisting with scholarship related processes.
• Develops and fosters a collaborative work environment Investigate student accounts as needed to resolve any and all problems.
• Updates policies and procedures pertaining to the awarding of foundation scholarships on an annual basis.
• Assist in testing updates and fixes, system upgrades, and other data processing as needed.
• Supports teammates and key processes during peak periods.

Other – 5%

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

For the intermediate level:

• Associates or Bachelor's degree.
• 2 - 4 years of relevant experience.

For the senior level:

• Undergraduate Bachelor’s degree.
• 3 - 5 years of administrative/coordination experience.

*A combination of related education, experience, and training may be used as an equivalent to the above Minimum Qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

For both the intermediate and senior levels:

• Strong team orientation.
• Customer service experience.
• Experience working in a higher education financial aid setting, or scholarship office.
• Proficient in Excel and Word.
• Proficient in use of PeopleSoft Student Administration software, as well as working
  knowledge of Salesforce case management and OnBase document imaging.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

For both the intermediate and senior levels:

Knowledge

• Knowledge of government rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to financial aid.
• Knowledge of higher education law, including FERPA, Title IX, HIPAA, etc.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in working with students and individuals of diverse backgrounds

Skills

• Skills in prioritizing and completing multiple tasks of varying complexity and urgency in a timely and efficient manner.
• Skill in planning, organizing and giving direction to meet desired office goals and objectives
• Extensive customer service experience
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Abilities

• Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality when working with confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Ability to analyze problems and make well-reasoned sound decisions
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Communicates effectively, including the ability to present to small and large groups.
• Possesses problem solving, organizational, and analytical capabilities.

Compensation

Intermediate salary range begins at $42,409. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Senior salary range begins at $44,421. Annual salary commensurate with candidate's qualifications and related experience.

Pre-Employment Check

Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, an employment history verification and a degree verification (in some cases) prior to employment. You may also be required to complete a fingerprint background check. Also, as an employer in the state of Arizona, NAU is required to participate in the federal E-Verify program that assists employers with verifying new employees' right to work in the United States.

This position has been identified as a safety/security sensitive position. Therefore, per AZ Revised Statute, Northern Arizona University requires satisfactory results for the following: a criminal background investigation, employment history investigation, degree verification (in some cases) and fingerprinting. If you are applying for a job that requires a CDL, you will be required to register with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse and adhere to the clearinghouse requirements.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Fire and Security Report

Each year Northern Arizona University releases an Annual Security Report. The report is a result of a federal law known as the Clery Act. The report includes Clery reportable crime statistics for the three most recent completed calendar years and discloses procedures, practices and programs NAU uses to keep students and employees safe including how to report crimes or other emergencies occurring on campus. In addition, the Fire Safety Report is combined with the Annual Security Report for the NAU Flagstaff Mountain Campus as this campus has on-campus student housing. This report discloses fire safety policies and procedures related to on-campus student housing and statistics for fires that occurred in those facilities. If you would like a free paper copy of the report, please contact the NAUPD Records Department at (928) 523-8884 or by visiting the department at 525 E. Pine Knoll Drive in Flagstaff.

Immigration Support/Sponsorship

NAU will not provide any U.S. immigration support or sponsorship for this position.

Submit your Application

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply" button on this page. You must submit your application by midnight of the application deadline.

If you are an individual with a disability and need reasonable accommodation to participate in the hiring process, please contact the Disability Resources Office at 928-523-8773, DR@nau.edu, or PO Box 5633, Flagstaff AZ 86011.