Coordinator Military Veterans Affairs

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven days. This job may be removed from posting boards and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. The posted salary and/or position title may be adjusted dependent on the successful candidates education experience and unique qualifications as they relate to the position.

This position serves as the School Certifying Official in educational matters related to the Veterans Administration (VA) and ensures all university processes align with VA requirements. This position is responsible for assisting veterans and their dependents with academic direction VA benefit utilization as well as serving as a liaison between the University and the veterans and military community including promoting university services to veterans throughout the campus community as well as reaching out to recruit veterans in the greater surrounding areas. The essential functions of this position are the processing of documents for prospective and currently enrolled students who are veterans or other qualified beneficiaries. Other duties include confidential record keeping budgeting collaborating with military students and the Student Veterans of America registered student organization while supervising the Military & Veterans Affairs center. This position oversees all duties related to the successful processing and direction of military students veterans and dependents from registration to graduation.

• Direct develop and coordinate strategies/programs to assist with the education and development of US service members veterans dependents and survivors;
• Oversee the implementation of a comprehensive education and development center including methods to be followed resources to be allocated and the mechanism for its regular evaluation and reporting;
• Work closely with the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Veterans Affairs and other university departments/offices regarding the availability of resources and opportunities to assist veterans in education and civilian career advancement;
• Foster and support a userfriendly environment for veterans service members dependents survivors and their families as well as provide assistance in the location of financial cultural and social support services;
• Responsible for budget oversight and acting as cost center head for the centers overall budget;
• Responsible for implementation and assessment of programs that increase veteran enrollment retention and graduation;
• Establish and implement short and longrange organizational goals objectives strategic plans policies and operating procedures;
• Monitor and evaluate programmatic/operational effectiveness as well as effect changes required for improvement;
• Develop and recommend policies to university leadership in support of student veterans service members dependents and their survivors;
• Develop and maintain university military veterans service members and dependent and survivor alumni information and relations;
• Develop and implement programming to increase awareness of veterans concerns and challenges (both on and offcampus and how they relate to higher education) as well as increase the visibility and awareness of military and veteranrelated holidays;
• Perform all VA Certifying Official duties;
• Perform a variety of technical duties to ensure eligible students receive available veteran benefits/educational services including:
  • Evaluate military experience and advise student applicants on veterans educational benefits;
  • Communicate program regulations and policies;
  • Provide assistance and information in person and on the telephone regarding various GI Bill programs;
• Serve as a resource to students faculty staff and the public regarding veteranrelated educational functions;
• Process changes in enrollment status for adds drops and schedule changes;
• Monitor and followup on studentenrollment petitions withdrawals grade changes degree/enrollment verifications and academic probation and suspension to ensure VA procedures and requirements are met;
• Review documents to confirm students meet University course enrollment major degree certificate GPA residency program and service requirements;
• Assist students applying for programs services and benefits including veterans and dependents;
• Assist students to establish and meet educational goals;
• Refer students to university programs and services;
• Determine qualification for tuition assistance for qualified veterans and process military tuition requests for assistance;
• Distribute and monitor VAfunded payments to students provide assistance with resolving tuition payment and discrepancy issues and investigate delays and clarification of payments;
• Respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related standards requirements practices policies and procedures;
• Submit reports to the VA;
• Communicate with academic advisors to ensure accuracy of academic plans and advise students regarding individual education plans;
• Review student study programs and unit certification to ensure compliance with established requirements;
• Certify the educational plans of students accurately to ensure receipt of benefits for applicable course work and compliance with applicable VA/university policies;
• Coordinate concurrent enrollment with other colleges;
• Prepare documentation for early outs through the VA office;
• Maintain current knowledge of VA and other applicable policies procedures and regulations;
• Prepare for and assist with VA audits as directed;
• Notify students of changes in applicable policies procedures and regulations as needed as well as implement and report changes in student status and VA services;
• Communicate with students university personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns;
• Serve as a liaison between the university students and the Department of Veterans Affairs;
• Compile information prepare and maintain records and reports related to students veterans dependents degrees certificates benefits Veterans Affairs (VA) and assigned activities;
• Assist with continuous improvement efforts in the office regarding recruitment and retention of students;
• Attend veterans meetings and participate in local and federal workshops and committees as assigned;
• Assume full supervisory responsibility for student employees in training evaluation and making or recommending employment decisions;
• Prepare and distribute a variety of correspondence;
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

• Bachelors degree required;
• Masters degree preferred;
• Experience working with university military units required;
• Knowledge of and experience with Banner is preferred;
• Veteran status with at least five years of prior military service is preferred;
• Knowledge of student advising practices for student organizations is preferred.

• Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse array of students faculty staff administrators parents visitors vendors and the community at large;
• Working knowledge of general office practices and procedures;
• Ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;
• Knowledge of data processing as it relates to personal computer applications;
• Ability to interact effectively with students who are veterans;
• Knowledge of military and veteran educational benefits specifically the GI Bill Tuition Assistance and Alabama GI Scholarship;
• Interpersonal written and verbal communication skills;
• Excellent decisionmaking and time management skills;
• Willingness and ability to travel to conferences and assist in recruitment of prospective students.

Applicants must upload a cover letter and resume at the time of application as well as provide contact information for at least three professional references. For questions please email or call 256.765.4291 and select option #2. Selecting an option other than #2 will result in a delayed response.

UNA is an equal opportunity employer committed to achieving excellence and strength through diversity. UNA seeks a wide range of applicants for this position so that one of our core values ethnic and cultural diversity will be affirmed. UNA is a smokefree campus.