Financial Aid Outreach Specialist

Grays Harbor College is accepting applications for a Financial Aid Outreach Specialist. This full-time position is responsible for making significant contact with high school students and their families for the purpose of increasing financial aid completion rates and providing information on how to access private scholarships. This position will be the primary contact for high school and parent financial aid questions. The outreach specialist will be the primary back-up for the following: conducting outreach as appropriate, including virtual or in-person presentations with students and families, communications regarding financial aid in schools and on social media, and support for college and career related events in school and community settings.  This position reports to the Director of Recruitment & Admissions.

Grays Harbor College has an excellent benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, basic life insurance, primary and supplemental retirement programs and long-term disability insurance. Full-time employees will also receive 15.34 hours of vacation leave per month, 8 hours of sick leave per month and 4 personal leave days a year.  Washington state also observes 11 paid holidays per year.  
 
This position at Grays Harbor College has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Grays Harbor College Federation of Teachers, Local 4984.  The union and the college have a collective bargaining agreement (referred to as the contract) that is posted on the GHC website at https://www.ghc.edu/hr/labor-relations

About the College                                                                                                                        .
Grays Harbor College serves the communities of Grays Harbor and Pacific counties on the Pacific coast of Washington. Located in Aberdeen, Washington at the base of the beautiful Olympic Peninsula, the College is less than an hour away from scenic Pacific Ocean beaches and close to both the Olympic and Mount Rainier National Parks. Grays Harbor provides the perfect landscape to enjoy the abundance of excellent outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, biking, fishing, clam digging, surfing, boating, and various kayak/canoe paddling opportunities.  For more information about working for the college and living in Grays Harbor visit https://www.ghc.edu/hr 
 
Grays Harbor is committed to providing excellent educational opportunities. We prioritize student learning, promote student and faculty success, foster an inclusive environment, manage our resources, and connect with the community. We strive to create a culturally relevant environment on campus and in the community by learning and practicing equity-mindedness and promoting faculty, staff, and student diversity.Processing of federal, state, and institutional financial aid applications.

• Act as the point of contact for the Financial Aid Outreach Specialist (FAOS) assigned to community engagement.
• Act as the point of contact for high school students, parents, and prospective students working with the FAOS.
• Serve as the primary back up for the FAOS.

Financial Aid Outreach Specialist assigned to community engagement duties: 
Independently advise students and families, consult with co-workers, K-12 and community partners, other GHC departments, and other institutions of higher education about financial aid processes, policies, and procedures. 

•  Coordinate and/or support virtual and in-person financial aid-related events hosted by high school and community-based partners.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of a financial aid outreach plan to promote state and federal financial aid and private scholarships throughout assigned Grays Harbor and Pacific County Educational Service Districts.
• Track and assess student progress toward FAFSA/WAFSA completion and milestone achievement, making appropriate referrals for additional planning and facilitating financial aid application and completion workshops, developing and executing financial aid-related presentations, conducting information sessions on financial aid programs and processes for high schools and community organizations, finding or creating opportunities to make significant contact with high school students and their families for the purpose of increasing FAFSA and WASFA completion.
• Maintain expertise and up-to-date knowledge of federal and state regulations for federal and state financial aid.
• Develop innovative financial aid messaging and communication methods to engage students and families, with special attention to reaching historically underserved communities and first-generation college students.
• Use various communication strategies including text, email, social media, school announcements, family bulletins, phone, and newsletters to reach students and their guardians needing to complete the FAFSA or WASFA application.
• Develop inclusive and accessible content for various in-person, hybrid, and virtual-only outreach efforts.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree OR Associate Degree with at least 2 years of experience working in higher education or K-12 schools
• Demonstrated experience with public speaking and presentations
• Understanding of financial aid programs
• Experience posting social media and other website editing
• Valid unrestricted Washington Driver’s License

 
 Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and experience working in higher education or K-12 schools
• Commitment to a philosophy of promoting student success
• Working knowledge of financial aid regulations
• Bilingual Language Ability in Spanish (verbal and written fluency)

In addition to the GHC online Application you will need to submit the following materials. Incomplete applications will not be accepted or considered.     

• Letter of application addressing your qualifications for the position. 
• Resume 
• Contact information for 3 professional references.
• Transcripts of all college work completed. Unofficial copies are acceptable, official copies will be required at time of hire. 

Background checks - Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted.  Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.  Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington State Law.
 
Grays Harbor College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or use of a trained guide dog or service animal, as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington State’s Law Against Discrimination, Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations.  The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
 
Title II/Section 504 – Colleen Meyers, Interim Executive Director of HR 
Title IX Coordinator – Ashley Bowie-Gallegos, Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management
 
For further information on notice of non-discrimination, visit https://ocrcas.ed.gov/contact-ocr for the address and phone number of the office that serves your area, or call 1-800-421-3481.

Salary : $59,429