Assistant Director, Compliance and Scholarships

The Assistant Director, Compliance and Scholarships administers scholarships and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements. The Assistant Director, Compliance and Scholarship provides training to relevant individuals concerning financial aid compliance.

• Executes a system of internal controls to ensure financial aid operations are compliant with all relevant requirements.
• Identifies potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk.
• Manages the overall administration of scholarships offered through the institution and external sources.
• Regularly reviews samples of work, checking for compliance with federal and state requirements.
• Reads, analyzes, and interprets federal and state regulations and provides departmental training.
• Collaborates with scholarship committees, departments, and external organizations to award scholarships.
• Updates departmental policies and procedures as necessary.
• Coordinates audit activities with auditors, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the U.S. Department of Education as required.
• Maintains a database for all scholarship awards.
• Assists in the implementation of new institutional scholarships.

• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Direct Reports:

• None

Delegation of Work:

• N/A

Supervision Given:

• N/A

Required Education:

• Bachelor's degree

Required Experience:

• Minimum of five (5) years of related job experience

License/Certification:

• None required

• Five (5) years of recent financial aid experience is preferred; PeopleSoft financial aid experience is preferred; proven auditing skills and knowledge of conducting federal needs analysis is preferred.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the scholarship process in a higher education environment, and of the related trends, issues, and accepted practices; knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulatory policies; knowledge of the theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical, or professional discipline.

Skills:

• Good technical skills, including proficiency in using MS Office; strong analytical and problem solving skills; excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Abilities:

• Ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community.

Primary Work Location:

• Works in an office environment > 8 hours and a lobby customer service island or reception area for 4 to 6 hours.

Physical Demands:

• Work is performed in a typical interior work environment which does not subject the employee to any unpleasant elements; individual has discretion in relation to walking, standing etc., and has minimal exposure to physical risks.

Commitment to Excellence - UHD

• Demonstrates a commitment to competently perform his/her job duties and responsibilities within established time frames.
• Continuously strives to improve work performance.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her commitments to the university.
• Contributes to the success of the university by consistently providing quality results in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.

Dependability

• Takes responsibility to accomplish job assignments within reasonable deadlines.
• Willing to accept new projects and/or commitments.
• Does due diligence to complete projects within specified timeframes and/or fulfill commitments.
• Arrives to work on time prepared and ready to contribute.

Integrity

• Demonstrates high ethical standards of conduct in the performance of his/her job duties and responsibilities.
• Accepts responsibility for his/her actions.
• Respects and complies with department and university policies, procedures, and work rules.

Flexibility

• Willingly adjusts to changing work assignments or conditions.
• Open to changes in operational procedures, technology, and/or organizational structure.
• Views changes as opportunities for learning and professional development.
• Displays a positive attitude to encourage others.
• Promptly responds to changes in work priorities and/or unexpected circumstances or situations.

Proficiency

• Possesses required job skills and knowledge.
• Demonstrates the ability to apply those skills and knowledge to competently perform his/her job duties and assignments.

Focus on Customer Service

• Focuses on customer's needs and expectations. (Customers can be students, external constituents, employees, or university guests.)
• Respectfully ascertains customer's needs and determines appropriate response.
• Promptly responds by providing requested information, takes appropriate action, or refers customer to appropriate individual or department.
• If further actions need to be taken, advises customers of realistic timeframes for a response to their request.
• Follows up with customers on outstanding requests in a timely manner.
• Tactfully explains to customers why their needs and/or expectations cannot be met if the university does not provide the requested information or services.

Problem Solving

• Formulates plans and strategies to proactively resolve anticipated problems.
• Prudently responds to unforeseen problems through careful consideration and analysis of problem and relevant information and circumstances.
• Recognizes and apprises appropriate university administrator when resolution requires senior management input and/or approval.

Respect and Cooperation

• Treats others with courtesy, respect, and dignity in the workplace.
• Promotes cooperation through open and honest communications and consideration of others ideas, thoughts, and opinions.

Research and Analysis

• Applies knowledge and skills to collect and analyze relevant data and information.
• Assesses benefits and risks, and prepares comprehensive reports of findings.
• Submits recommendations for management's review and evaluation.

Building External Relationships

• Demonstrates the ability to build rapport and develop relationships with external constituents.
• Displays a genuine interest in constituents' ideas and concerns, and pursues mutual interests and aspirations between the university and external constituents.
• Builds trust and forms alliances through shared respect and cooperation.

Instruction/Training

• Demonstrates the ability to orally convey subject or message clearly and concisely to the intended audience.
• Generates interest and enthusiasm in the subject or message from the participants.
• Responds to participants' reactions or comments, and adjusts delivery style and/or format of presentation as needed.
• Possesses a thorough understanding of the subject or topic to provide practical responses to questions or issues.
• Displays applicable visuals and provides appropriate written materials to support the presentation.

Writing Proficiency

• Demonstrates the ability to express information clearly and concisely in writing.
• Formulates and writes information to effectively communicate messages, ideas, and/or concepts for the intended recipient or audience.
• Uses appropriate words and tone, and correct grammar.

Computer/Automated System Proficiency

• Proficient in the use of university applications or automated systems to perform job duties.
• Complies with related policies, procedures, and work rules to maintain system security and data integrity.

Student Success Indirect Support

• Contributes to student success by assisting students with anything that supports their student experience, whether directly or indirectly.
• Helps students navigate their way through the different offices, programs, and services at the university and/or connects students with the appropriate party(ies).
• Connects students with services or resources that can help them with career exploration, goal selection, and ongoing academic assistance.
• Helps students build peer support networks.
• Encourages student participation in out-of-class activities.
• Provides encouragement and guidance to foster student success.
• Treats students with respect
• Maintains the learning environment to ensure quality and/or sound pedagogy.