VA School Certifying Official Financial Aid & Student Financial Services

The VA School Certifying Official is responsible for processing VA benefits. This person acts as a representative of the institution responsible for certifying the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) and California Department of Veterans Affairs (CDVA) education and vocational rehabilitation benefits for eligible students. The official serves as a point of contact for potential students who inquire about VA Benefits and supports and educates other departments on campus about VA benefits policies and guidelines. This position is fully grant-funded.

Required Education

• Bachelors degree in a related field required.

Required Experience

• Two to three years of professional experience preferably working with veterans benefits in a higher education setting.
• Prior military experience or experience serving military personnel and dependents is strongly preferred.
• Experience in a high-volume customer service unit in higher education is strongly preferred.
• Experience with serving special populations on a college campus is strongly preferred.
• Excellent knowledge of FERPA and college records and registration policies and procedures preferred.
• Experience working in high-pressure environments while maintaining a high level of attention to detail.
• Ability to make independent decisions informed by an appropriate awareness of risk management factors.

Primary Duties/Essential Functions

• Fulfills essential administrative functions within the MVEB Office assists in the development and implementation of MVEB policies and procedures assists in overseeing and training student workers.
• Processes certifications for all military benefit programs APU participates in including but not limited to: Chapter 31 Chapter 33 and Military Tuition Assistance. Authorizes benefits and coordinates VA payments for veterans eligible dependents survivors and reservists with all Student Financial Servicesdepartments across the university in accordance with regulatory guidelines and APU policies.
• Acts as a primary liaison between the university and all military benefit offices (such as the VA CSAAVE and DOD).
• Conducts MVEB activities in accordance with and in compliance with all rules and regulations contained in the VA School Certifying Official Handbook as well as any other guidance issued from other regulatory bodies.
• Adheres to and is knowledgeable on appropriate guidelines relating to FERPA and university policy on the release of records and information to a third party.
• Responsible for developing and maintaining essential communication and outreach activities for the MVEB office with both internal and external constituencies ensuring all communications align with MVEBs customer service philosophy.
• Manages initial veterans prospective and current student inquiries and information requests in all forms including in-person voicemail e-mail and correspondence.
• Attends and represents APU at WAVES conference and regional VA conferences as requested.
• Required to work one Saturday commencement event (Winter or Spring) a calendar year.
• Other tasks and special projects as assigned by the Assistant Director.
• Committed to a Christ-centered multicultural community that values diversity.
• Support affirm and sustain the beliefs values and mission of the university in all facets of ones role and through the universitys daily living expectations.

Skills

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills and ability to manage database information.
• Ability to balance a variety of tasks and demands.
• Typing speed of 45 wpm.
• Good organization and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of office procedures.

Mental Demands

• Work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Work effectively with other staff.
• Judgment and discretion skills on when to act and when to consult others.
• Ability to learn procedures and retain information.
• In agreement with the purpose and goals of Azusa Pacific University in providing a Christian-based higher education for its students.

Physical Demands

• Requires sitting occasionally for extended periods of time and repetitive motions for operating computer mouse and keyboard.
• Hearing and speaking on the telephone.
• Ability to lift pull bend grasp occasionally lift up to 20 lbs.
• Attend meetings at other campus locations.

Visual Demands

• Computer monitor and reading.

Environment

• Pleasant office comfortable temperatures.

Technologies

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Word and Excel

Compensation

• Grade 9: $23.58 to $27.12 is the hourly compensation for this role and reflects what Azusa Pacific University reasonably expects to pay for this position. Actual compensation may vary based on the qualifications experience and internal addition to compensation APU offers a competitive benefits package.

Azusa Pacific University is a Christ-centered multicultural community that values and seeks faculty and staff who are committed to diversity work effectively with diverse populations and engage others in ways that honor our rich cultural mosaic and biblical foundation. Please click the links to learn more aboutwhat we believe ourmission statement and our statement of faith.

You can learn more about APU by watching the stories of faculty staff and alumni as they carry out our mission here: role is designated as a Campus Security Authority (CSA) under the Clery Act. It involves responsibility for students and the campus community requiring the individual to receive and report crimes or incidents to Campus Safety especially those posing an ongoing threat.

Azusa Pacific University will conduct a background check on all final candidates.

Review of applications will begin immediately and the position will remain open until filled unless otherwise stated. Azusa Pacific University does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin sex age disability or status as a veteran in any of its policies practices or procedures. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.