VA School Certifying Official Coordinator

Type of Appointment: Full-Time, Probationary

Job Classification: Student Services Professional III

Anticipated Hiring Range: $5,276 - $6,023 per month

Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm, unless otherwise notified

Recruitment Closing Date: September 3, 2024

Other: 2 positions available!

THE DEPARTMENT:

Cal Poly Pomona's Veterans Resource Center was established in 2012 to support the academic and personal success of its military affiliated students. The Center serves as a central resource for information, support, guidance, and community. It is a center of excellence that models a teamwork environment. This team strives to develop comprehensive services that will enrich the lives and support the success of Cal Poly Pomona's military affiliated students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Military Affiliated Student Advisement

• On an individual or group setting, advise students through basic counseling techniques that may concern career, academic, learning, campus life and/or related issues.
• Know, understand and implement current policies, regulations and procedures administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), California Department of Veterans Affairs (Cal Vet), and Department of Defense. Responsible for informing students of changes in VA, DoD, and Cal Vet regulations.
• Reviews all documentation, collaborates with academic advisors, and evaluates courses taken by veterans, service members, and dependents to verify all coursework is required for degree and in compliance with the regulations of the VA and DoD as well as within the regulations and policies by the university. Utilizes the degree progress report, education plan from academic/faculty advisors, major curriculum sheet, and the university catalog to advise students regarding selection of classes eligible for VA and DoD benefits.
• Advises, plans, provides counseling and communicates with current and prospective student veterans, military service members, dependents, and parents about all aspects of VA, Cal Vet, and DoD educational benefits students may be eligible for. Students are advised on the following, but not limited to: rate of pursuit, days of benefits being used, monthly housing allowance compensation based on units certified, grades, study abroad, debt, the process to apply for VA, Cal Vet, and DoD benefits. Provide recommendations and action plans to students who are in danger of exhausting military educational benefits.
• Regularly communicates with military affiliated students throughout the semester to advise and inform them of important dates and tasks to be completed that may affect their registration. This includes, but is not limited to, advising holds, financial holds, and trainings to be completed in order for students to enroll successfully.
• Advocates for student veterans who are part of the Veteran Readiness and Employment Program (Chapter 31) of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Quickly problem solves and mitigates any issues and concerns that are brought to their attention. Prepares and assists students who are applying for Chapter 31 benefits. When requested provides student documentation to VA Chapter 31 counselors.
• Explains and advises students who are unaware of VA Disability Claims on how to apply and connect with appropriate resources.
• Communicates and informs all military affiliated students when they've become at-risk students as well as potential discontinued students. Provides and offers referrals to different resources within the university such as the Office of Student Accounting and Cashiering Service, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, and Registrar's Office as well as external university resources such as VA Vet Centers and the County Veterans Services Offices.
• The incumbent promotes an environment of inclusion and cultural sensitivity and serves as a point of response to military affiliated students that may raise issues or concerns about the services provided by the campus.
• Responds and troubleshoots student conduct issues and report them to the Veterans Resource Center Director as soon as possible.

VA Certifying Official

• Advise, plan, and communicate with prospective and enrolled military affiliated students on all aspects of VA educational benefits (i.e., eligibility, benefits overview, VA application process) and how to establish these benefits at Cal Poly Pomona. The incumbent will ensure that all and any upgrades in technology (i.e., VA Online Certification on Bronco Direct, VA Enrollment Manager, and the Cal Vet College Fee Waiver System) meets the expectation to process and certify military affiliated students in an effective manner to support student success and timely disbursements of their educational benefits.
• Interpret VA and Cal Vet policy regarding VA and Cal Vet education benefits programs (i.e. Chapter 30, 31, 33, 35 & 1606 and Cal Vet Fee Waiver) to successfully implement the appropriate certification process for enrolled military affiliated students. Advise and guide military affiliated students to determine eligibility, if applicable, to Department of Defense Tuition Assistance programs and ensure that the appropriate campus reporting is completed.
• Monitors the subjects and courses pursued by a student to certify to VA only those subjects that apply to the student's program along with monitoring student's grades, tracks changes in major, and/or adding minors to ensure they are making satisfactory progress.
• Inputs student veterans, military service members, and dependents into student groups such as: VABG, VABD, RV33, and RVOC. In addition, enters financial arrangement codes for military affiliated students using benefits. It is the responsibility of the Certifying Official to ensure that veterans and military service members who self- identify to the University and meet the criteria mandated by Cal. Ed. Code § 66025.8 are provided with priority registration.
• Collaborate with the Office of Student Success to provide enrollment verification letters for military affiliated students.
• Submit Cal Vet Fee Waivers to the Office of Student Accounting and Cashiering Services to ensure benefits are processed in a timely manner.
• Efficiently scans pertinent documents such as education plans, enlistment and discharge documents, military transcripts, military identification cards, contact information forms, and statement of responsibility forms directly to OnBase Liaison for VA compliance purposes and data tracking.
• Collaborate with the Veterans Resource Center to delivers presentations for the campus community and external organizations.
• Advise the Director of the Veterans Resource Center and University Registrar of any deficiencies and fields required for the effective enrollment processing and educational benefits certification. Support the Director of the Veterans Resource Center and University Registrar to ensure that CPP's military affiliated students and the university maintains compliance with VA and Department of Defense (DoD) policies and procedures (i.e., DoD Compliance Reporting, VA Risk Based Surveys, VA's 35% exemption waiver and CSAAVE Annual Renewal Applications).
• Engages in the University's efforts to continuously improve and expand its services to military affiliated students. Works with the VRC and the Office of Admissions to comply with residency requirements/exceptions and credit for prior learning that pertain to active or recently discharged military personnel and their dependents. Supports and works with the VRC and the Registrar's Office to ensure compliance with the military service leave of absence policies.
• Maintain access to the AI Portal and Navy College portal to support military affiliated students utilizing DoD Tuition Assistance. Report grades and maintain degree programs for DoD benefit recipients.
• The Certifying Official must monitor and utilize Cal Poly Pomona's online VA Benefits Certification program. This program provides a 24/7 self-service to military affiliated students that are requesting the certification of their VA educational benefits per academic term.
• Collaborate and consult with the Enrollment Management & Services to obtain listings, reports, and other information to track and analyze data on current CPP military affiliated students; and work with various staff when needed in the Institutional Research, Planning & Analytics area in regard to Data Warehouse reports and Tableau Dashboards. Provide reports to the Director of the Veterans Resource Center and University Registrar for VA compliance purposes and other reporting needs as assigned.
• Collaborate with Enrollment Management & Services on providing military transfer credit support.

Professional Development & Other Duties as assigned

• The incumbent will participate in staff meetings, in-service training sessions, retreats, planning meetings, and other professional development activities; attend conferences and keep current on issues as they relate to military affiliated students, VA, Cal Vet, and DoD policies and processes. Participate in monthly CSU system wide Veterans Affairs conference calls & monthly VA Office Hours.
• Maintain knowledge of current policies, and procedures related to military affiliated student education concerns by reading relevant materials, interacting with on and off campus colleagues, and attending relevant conferences and other veteran related activities as necessary.
• The incumbent will support all events, activities, and programs facilitated or sponsored by the Veterans Resource Center in person and/or virtually.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in a related field, including or supplemented by upper division or graduate course work in counseling techniques, interviewing, and conflict resolution where such are job-related.
• Three (3) years of progressively responsible professional student services work experience. One year in the program area to which assigned may be preferred but is not required. A master's degree in Counseling, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, or a directly related field may be substituted for one year of experience. A doctorate degree and the appropriate internship or clinical training in counseling or guidance may be substituted for the three years of experience for positions with a major responsibility for professional career or personal counseling.
• Thorough knowledge of the principles of individual and group behavior. General knowledge of the principles, practices and trends of the Student Services field as well as general knowledge of the policies, procedures and practices of the program area to which assigned; general knowledge of individual counseling techniques; general knowledge, or the ability to rapidly acquire such knowledge, of the organizational procedures and activities of the specific campus to which the position is assigned. Working knowledge of student services programs outside the program to which immediately assigned. Ability to analyze complex situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action; advise students individually and in groups on complex student-related matters; determine appropriate courses of action and proper techniques to utilize while engaged with individuals in personal interactions of an argumentative or sensitive nature; interpret and evaluate descriptions and explanations of problems brought forward by individuals or student organizations, analyze and define the problem, draw valid conclusions and project consequences of various alternative courses of action; carry out a variety of professionally complex assignments without detailed instructions; and establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with a variety of individuals.

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE:

• Ability to learn new software systems quickly, ability to function effectively in an environment of changing priorities.
• Ability to effectively write and present reports using office software package, technology and systems.
• Ability to analyze operational and procedure problems and develop, recommend and evaluate proposed solutions.

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Cal Poly Pomona, we are committed to the urgent and ongoing work of creating and sustaining an inclusive campus where all students, faculty, and staff are welcomed, respected and can flourish to achieve their dreams of success.

We believe diversity strengthens community. Cal Poly Pomona proudly holds designations as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). In 2022, the campus launched the Black Thriving Initiative recognizing that Cal Poly Pomona's future as a university must be linked to the success of its Black community.

More information about our campus initiatives can be found on the Office of Inclusive Excellence's website .

Out of State Work

The California State University (CSU) system is a network of twenty-three public universities providing access to a quality education through the support of California taxpayers. Part of CSU's mission is to prepare educated, responsible individuals to contribute to California's schools, economy, culture, and future. As an agency of the State of California, the CSU's business operations almost exclusively reside within California. The CSU Out-of-State Employment Policy prohibits hiring employees to perform CSU-related work outside California. For more information, go to https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/10899725/latest/ .

Background Check

Cal Poly Pomona will make a conditional offer of employment to final job candidates, pending the satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check). The conditional offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. In determining the suitability of the candidate for the position, Cal Poly Pomona will give an individualized assessment to any information that the applicant submits for consideration regarding the criminal conviction history such as the nature, gravity and recency of the conviction, the candidate's conduct, performance or rehabilitation efforts since the conviction and the nature of the job applied for. For more information, go to https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/13813878/latest/ .

CSU Classification Salary Range

This position is part of the Academic Professionals of California (APC) bargaining unit - 4. The CSU Classification Standards for this position are located on the following site: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/compensation/Pages/Classification-Standards.aspx . The CSU Salary Schedule is located on the following site: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/compensation/Pages/salary-schedule-documents.aspx . The classification salary range for this position according to the respective skill level is: minimum $5,276 and maximum $7,517 per month. Please refer to the anticipated hiring range for the appropriate salary rate for this particular position.

Employment Eligibility Verification

Cal Poly Pomona hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. For more information, go to https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA)

The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. See policy at https://calstate.policystat.com/v2/policy/10927154/latest/ .

Security & Fire Safety

In compliance with state and federal crime awareness and campus security legislation, including The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, California Education Code section 67380, and the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Cal Poly Pomona's Annual Security Report and Annual Fire Safety Report are available for viewing at: https://www.cpp.edu/pdfs/annual_security_report.pdf and https://www.cpp.edu/housing/documents/fire_safety_report.pdf.

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination

As a federal contractor, Cal Poly Pomona will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. For more information, see the Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision poster .

Reasonable Accommodation

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact the ADA Coordinator by email at ADACoordinator@cpp.edu . For more information, go to Employment Notices .

Equal Employment Opportunity

Cal Poly Pomona is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workforce. The university subscribes to all state and federal regulations that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity/gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information, medical condition, and veteran or military status. We engage the talents of all qualified workers, regardless of their background. More information is available at Equal Employment Opportunity statement .

Other Notices

For other important employment notices, we invite you to visit Cal Poly Pomona's Employment Notices web page.

Advertised: August 15, 2024 (9:00 AM) Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: September 03, 2024 (11:55 PM) Pacific Daylight Time