Customer Service Specialist Intermediate - Financial Aid Receptionist

Job Details

Working Title: Customer Service Specialist Intermediate - Financial Aid Receptionist
Job Class: Customer Service Specialist, Intermediate
Agency: Minnesota State

• Job ID: 79370
• Location: Bemidji
• Telework Eligible: No
• Full/Part Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
• Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
• Date Posted: 08/19/2024
• Closing Date: 09/17/2024
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: MN St Colleges & Universities / Bemidji State Univ-AFSCME
• Division/Unit: MnSCU Bemidji SU / MnSCU BSU Classified Dorm
• Appointment Type: Unlimited, Full-time
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Travel Required: No
• Salary Range: $20.45 - $27.12 / hourly; $42,699 - $56,626 / annually
• Classified Status: Classified
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 206 - Clerical/AFSCME
• Work Area: Bemidji State University Financial Aid Office
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Job Summary

Bemidji State University (BSU) invites qualified applicants to join our team as a Financial Aid Receptionist (CSSI). The Financial Aid Receptionist performs receptionist duties and is the initial evaluator of application documents for the Financial Aid Office. This position provides quality control of incoming application materials and accurate detailed information on student aid programs to current students, prospective students and parents. This position prepares and processes tracking/editing letters, verifies and inputs various forms into the ISRS computer system, and communicates with students, parents and outside funding agencies regarding the status and outcome of financial aid applications for Bemidji State University (BSU) and Northwest Technical College (NTC).

Responsibilities of the Financial Aid Receptionist include:

• Disseminating accurate information to students, parents, faculty, staff, and outside funding agencies either in person, by telephone, email or regular mail on financial aid programs. Recommending specific application procedures based upon an interpretation of the applicant's comments, requests and needs. Providing advice on completing forms including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and verification forms. Explaining Federal, State and institutional policies and procedures to applicants. Retrieving information from Perceptive, the ISRS computer system for Financial Aid, Admissions, Records and Accounts Receivable modules as needed for applicants to complete the application process. Advising students on satisfactory academic progress policy, various loans, grant, work and other aid programs including eligibility limits for both BSU and NTC. Initiating institutional change form for students requiring a revised aid package. Managing the Financial Aid Office email and replying to questions. Screening and returning phone messages for the Financial Aid Office in a timely manner. Serving as a backup, answering NTC phones and email when the NTC Financial Aid Coordinator is out of the office.
• Collecting and reviewing data submitted by applicants for completeness and accuracy, initiating correspondence, requesting clarification of data and obtaining answers to missing data. Sending and retrieving mail daily. Collecting BSU Status Report Letters, Federal Tax Transcripts, Special Condition Forms, Summer Supplemental Forms, VRS forms and numerous other forms.
• Reviewing and clearing processing edits in the Financial Aid Tracking Program to allow financial aid applications to continue through the aid process and become finalized. For BSU and NTC, reviewing financial aid tracking status report and financial aid status report letters. Providing necessary information, forms and enclosures to expedite the tracking process. Preparing various documents for the Perceptive process, including scanning and linking as time allows .
• Data inputting into the ISRS computer system. Proofreading applications and tax materials for completeness and accuracy. Inputting various verification documents into ISRS. Coding in documents as they are received. Reviewing and entering application information for the Summer Supplemental Form and monitoring the completeness of these applications. Receiving scholarships checks through the mail or in person delivery - properly receipt, making copies of scholarship checks and conducting deposits of scholarship checks (as instructed in the absence of the scholarship coordinator).
• Screening and scheduling appointments for the Financial Aid Office. Providing work direction to student employee assistants. Exercising judgment on client's need to see a counselor and need for an appointment. Providing work direction and assigning routine tasks for student employee assistants. Informing student employee assistants of changes in procedures and policies. Providing support in preparing/reviewing reports or special projects in the Financial Aid Office as directed.

Minimum qualifications for this position include:

• Customer service skills sufficient to effectively communicate on the phone, in person, and online, to provide effective general and specialized office support (this requires common courtesy, tact, interest in positive problem solving, empathy, and the ability to organize ideas logically).
• Knowledge of standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, and databases sufficient to create, modify, manage and protect them.
• Data entry skills sufficient to receive and review source documents, compare documents to database information, and edit documents.
• Ability to schedule and confirm customers' appointments in person, on the phone, and through e-mail and other written correspondence.
• Ability to -effectively communicate and elicit information with tact and diplomacy in difficult situations.
• Ability to -convey complicated information in an understandable manner as an expert resource for outside agencies and individuals.
• Ability to explain laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures to customers.
• Document and records management skills sufficient to ensure data integrity; ability to file and categorize electronic documents; ability to read source documents and accurately enter data in specific data fields; ability to thoroughly compile, sort, and verify data accuracy before entering it.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Experience with student information systems, preferably the Integrated Student Records System (ISRS).
• Experience with document imaging systems, preferably Perceptive.
• A demonstrated commitment to the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism.

Application Details

How to Apply

To view the full job posting and to apply please go to: https://minnstate.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/Minnesota_State_Careers/job/Bemidji/Financial-Aid-Receptionist_JR0000000392 .

Contact

If you have questions about this position, contact Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu or 218-755-2084 .

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Mary Miller at mary.miller@bemidjistate.edu .

About Minnesota State

Minnesota State is making a difference. From the students we serve, to our business partners, to those we employ, chances are good you or someone you know has benefited from the work of your state colleges and universities. It is the core value of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities to provide an opportunity for all Minnesotans to create a better future for themselves, for their families, and for their communities.

Working together to improve the state we love.

What do Minnesota's State employees have in common?

• A sense of purpose in their work
• Connection with their coworkers and communities
• Opportunities for personal and professional growth

Benefits

As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well.

Your benefits may include:

• Paid vacation and sick leave
• 12 paid holidays each year
• Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
  • Fertility care, including IVF
  • Diabetes care
  • Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
• 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
• Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
• Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury
• Tax-free expense accounts for health, dental, and dependent care
• Resources that provide support and promote physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being

Support to help you reach your career goals:

• Training, classes, and professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid website at studentaid.gov )

Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for work/life support:

• A voluntary confidential program that helps employees and their families with life challenges that may impact overall health, personal well-being, or job performance
• Common sources of stress can be addressed through the EAP: mental health, relationship challenges (personal and work), grief and loss, finances, and legal issues
• Daily Living/Convenience Services: Chore services, home repair, trip planning, child/elder care

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

Other Information

Employment information for this position can be found in its collective bargaining agreement or its plan document at http://mn.gov/mmb/employee-relations/labor-relations/Labor/ .

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State is an equal opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.