Financial Aid Specialist and Outreach Coordinator

Job title:

Financial Aid Specialist and Outreach Coordinator

Company

Durham College

Job description

About Durham College:Durham College (DC) is a leading post-secondary institution that supports students to develop career-ready skills for the ever-changing job market. With a focus on experiential learning, led by expert faculty, through field placements, applied research, co-ops and other hands-on opportunities, DC grads are known for having the skills and knowledge they need to adapt to the ever-changing workforce.A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Durham College offers a wide range of market-driven programs across multiple disciplines, including culinary management, farming and horticulture, business, IT, construction and trades, science and technology, health care, engineering, social and community services, media, art and design.Our modern campuses in Oshawa and Whitby offer 145 programs – including six honours bachelor’s degrees and 11 apprenticeship programs – to more than 13,700 full-time post-secondary and 2,300 apprenticeship students. In addition, more than 14,600 students participate in professional and part-time learning. More than 110,500 alumni represent the college, both locally and around the world.A forward-looking organization committed to collaboration, innovation and sustainability, Durham College is ranked annually as one of the GTA’s Top 100 employers and one of Canada’s Greenest Employers and has been recognized as a Top 50 Research College in Canada, 10 times.DC has an estimated annual economic impact of more than $913 million on Durham Region and is proud to be an active and engaged member of the communities we serve by contributing resources and expertise to enhance social and economic well-being through partnerships, investments and collaboration.POSITION INFORMATION:Full-time Support Staff Position Opportunity
Department: Financial Aid and Awards
Hours: 35 hours per week (1) one hour lunch; Mon – Fri (8:30 am – 4:30 pm)
Reporting To: Manager Financial Aid & Awards
Campus Location: OshawaDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:In consultation with the Manager, Financial Aid and Awards (FAA), the incumbent will be responsible to support FAA daily operations i.e. coaching, information sharing, working with internal departments and community agencies to schedule outreach initiatives. Assist students in attaining their educational goals by providing support with financial related issues. Collaborating campus wide, the incumbent will plan and coordinate outreach to internal and community stakeholders aligned with other campus initiatives. The incumbent is responsible to develop, coordinate and deliver, presentations and workshops promoting a variety of financial aid programs and awards. Positively representing DC to prospective students, parents and external community agencies while conducting and participating in outreach activities. The incumbent will be required to conduct off-site visits, be available to work evenings and weekends as required. The incumbent is the departments social media ambassador, liaising internally and externally to disseminate communications, training staff campus wide regarding financial aid services, award opportunities and to understand the escalation process and when to triage to the next level for complex financial aid issues.Communication, Marketing and Outreach

• Develop and implement an ongoing communication and marketing plans for Financial Aid and Awards (FAA) aligned with Durham College’s Communications & Marketing brand and guidelines.
• Promote the office’s supports and services to students, faculty, staff and community partners.
• Create, design and write promotional material and other communications to staff, students, community partners and other stakeholders.
• FAA social media activities such as branding, researching, writing, design, planning, hosting events, workshops and marketing of our channels and reporting through use of data analytics (external and internal).
• Campus marketing and outreach activities such as promotional booths, digital marketing, distribution of flyers, orientation and open house events, high schools, indigenous and community partner visits.
• Lead for all department external outreach activities including marketing, events, communication, strategy, and reporting.
• Create and post content for MyDC and ICE using a content management system; update content for communications; update content on the college’s corporate website; ensure social media is updated with department content.
• Network to build/maintain strong professional relationships internally (departments, faculties, students, committees etc.) and externally (high schools, community partners, indigenous communities, focused on underserved and represented groups.)
• Develop and maintain cyclical financial aid communications plan
• Develop, implement and maintain tracking process to analyze and gauge the effectiveness of targeted outreach initiatives; under the guidance of the financial aid admin staff

Financial and Awards – Student/Staff SupportFinancial Aid coaching requires sensitivity and active listening skills, along with the ability to question without judgement, especially when working with students who are discouraged or have identified personal and financial barriers to reaching their academic goals.

• Coach students on an individual basis and in group sessions on financial aid matters, bursaries, budgeting and personal financial management by asking probing questions and providing a range of options and possible outcomes.
• Interpret and apply academic and government financial aid policy to evaluate and determine student eligibility for all programs including full and part time financial aid, awards, emergency funding, bursaries and employment programs.
• Review and assess conditions for students with immediate financial challenges and accommodate through tuition fee deferrals, food or book vouchers, emergency bursaries or referral to extremal financial supports.
• Determine student eligibility for internal, external and government scholarships and grants.
• Coach and advise students on non-routine financial aid and appeal cases, assisting in the preparation for submission and reviewing of documentation for acceptability
• Review and makes decisions on OSAP and bursary appeal cases that are within the authority of the Financial Aid Office.
• Provide budget counselling to clients and when appropriate refer to outside sources of financial assistance programs.
• Plan, promote and execute financial aid activities that support recruitment, retention, and individual financial literacy of students.
• Work with academic advisors to support retention and continued financial support of at-risk students.
• Provide proactive support to individuals in distress to prevent physical or mental injury or harm. Make referrals to appropriate DC or external services and supports.
• Coach students on repayment options available to student borrowers, repayment assistance programs and on maintaining good standing on outstanding loan debt.
• Verify the accuracy of financial aid entitlements
• Analyze and verify student registration, academic status, academic progress and eligibility for student aid programs
• Approve distribution of financial aid loans, grants and bursaries in compliance with Ministry Policies.
• Work and verify multiple queues within the OSAP system that support the accuracy, eligibility, assessment and release of government aid funding.
• Evaluates and reports academic progress resulting from withdrawals, failures, drops in course load, and multiple program changes.

QUALIFICATIONS: * A minimum of a 3-year diploma or degree in Marketing, Bachelor of Arts, Business Administration

• A minimum of 3 years of work experience in Marketing, Social Media and Business Administration.
• Proven experience in social media, marketing and and communications i.e. website content, developing, implementing and presenting workshops for educational purposes,
• Excellent student service orientation, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong marketing and event planning/coordinating abilities.
• Strong and proven technical abilities with social media marketing experience and ability to utilize different portals/software. Incumbent is expected to remain current in financial aid policy and process and have experience in a financial aid environment including advising and coaching prospective students on financial aid programs, institutional and external aid opportunities and financial literacy.
• Demonstrated experience in dealing with sensitive and confidential information, meeting AODA and FIPPA compliance, and in assisting and advising potential/current students and other clients from diverse socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.
• Must keep an up-to-date knowledge of government, institutional, bank, and private financial aid and award programs as well as financial literacy and money management techniques and practices.

Required SkillsPayband: I; Starting Rate: $39.34; Four Year Rate: $45.59Required ExperiencePlease apply below by submitting your cover letter and resume to the online portal. Job Competition closes on September 23, 2024. Competition number SS24-112.This position is located at 2000 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa. .

Expected salary

Location

Oshawa, ON

Job date

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 06:25:07 GMT

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