Los Angeles Community College District

Manages the centralized administration and coordination of all student financial aid programs within the District, including leading the development and implementation of district-wide financial aid policies, leading technology system development and integration; representing the District in program audits, providing training to District and College staff, and ensuring integrity in the financial aid disbursement program.

Manages the centralized administration and coordination of all student financial aid programs within the District.

Manages key areas including Grants, Systems Compliance, Loan Programs, and Student Outreach through the Central Financial Aid Unit (CFAU), ensuring consistency, compliance, and efficiency across all colleges.

Provides strategic leadership to ensure districtwide compliance with State and Federal regulations, continuously monitoring and enforcing adherence to relevant rules and policies.

Leads the development and implementation of district-wide financial aid policies to promote standardization and consistency with federal, state, district, and college guidelines.

Proactively identifies and implements necessary revisions to maintain regulatory compliance.

Recommends and oversees technological integration and procedural improvements to strengthen internal controls to optimize the processing of Federal and State student financial aid.

Ensures smooth communication and integration of financial aid systems across the District as the primary liaison between the Central Financial Aid Unit and District IT, District Accounting, Admissions and Records, and other key departments.

Develops and coordinates district-wide training programs on critical topics for new staff and continued professional development for current staff to ensure consistent knowledge and skills.

Selects, trains, and supervises an assigned team of financial aid professionals, guiding them through all phases of the financial aid award process.

Represent the District and colleges in annual audits and programs reviews as conducted by external auditors, State and Federal officials.

Works closely with colleges to review audit findings and leads the implementation of corrective actions.

Stays current on trends and developments related to financial aid programs; researches and analyzes the impact of proposed new laws, regulations, and guidelines on the District’s financial aid programs; makes recommendations on program changes needed to ensure compliance.

Ensures that financial aid is prominently represented at college and community events, leading outreach initiatives to support student financial literacy.

Compiles, edits, and publishes the District's Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Manual.

Performs related duties as assigned.

A District Financial Aid Systems Manager manages the centralized administration and coordination of all student financial aid programs within the District, including leading the development and implementation of district-wide financial aid policies, leading technology system development and integration; representing the District in program audits, providing training to District and College staff, and ensuring integrity in the financial aid disbursement program.

A Financial Aid Manager develops, implements, and manages the student financial aid programs at one of the colleges of the District; serves as the financial aid administrator of record for all purposes specified within federal and state regulations and guidelines.

A Financial Aid Systems Specialist through continuous audit and user consultation identifies and defines student financial aid transactional, business process, and financial aid system issues; reviews and translates departmental requirements into specifications based on a thorough understanding of Federal and state regulations, requirements and procedural guidelines and PeopleSoft and legacy DEC financial aid systems; performs testing, and maintenance tasks; and serves as a technical resource to financial aid office staff at both the District Office and colleges.

General supervision is received from the Director of Accounting. General supervision is exercised over assigned supervisory, technical, and clerical staff.

Knowledge of:

Provisions of state and federal legislation and administrative regulations and policies governing federal financial aid or other funded programs

Computerized financial aid award and tracking systems

Eligibility requirements and application procedures for financial aid programs

Principles and procedures related to financial aid office operations

Accounting and fiscal management practices of governmental agencies

Goals and objectives of the District as they relate to financial aid operations

Principles and methods of developing operational process specifications and documentation

Principles of supervision, coaching, and training

Capabilities of computer applications, systems, and hardware used in financial aid operations

Ability to:

Administer and manage the District’s financial aid programs

Develop methods and procedures to implement new policies or regulations or improve efficiency of operations

Establish work standards and goals, and evaluate program results

Recognize critical elements of problems, develop and evaluate data, determine strategies and appropriate solutions

Interpret and apply federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to financial aid programs

Express complex concepts effectively, orally and in writing

Integrate technology into business operations

Anticipate conditions, plan ahead, establish priorities, and meet deadlines

Provide leadership and technical assistance to others

Select, motivate, and supervise others

Consistently use and promote professional standards and practices related to assignments

Actively contribute to a culture of constructive collaboration and innovation with colleagues

Prepare clear, comprehensive, and concise reports and presentations

Establish and maintain effective and cooperative relationships with a diverse pool of District staff, administrators, and representatives of other jurisdictions

Train others in financial aid systems practices and procedures

Work confidentially with discretion

Travel to off-site events and meetings

Learn specialized software applications

Education and Experience:

A bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, preferably with a major in accounting, business administration, economics, finance, public administration, or a related field.

AND

Four years of recent, full-time paid experience in managing student financial aid programs, which must have included supervision of staff.

Special:

A valid California Class “C” driver’s license.

Travel to locations throughout the District is required.

Our class specification generally describes the duties, responsibilities, and requirements characteristic of the position(s) within this job class. The duties, responsibilities, and requirements of a particular position within this class may vary from the duties of other positions within the class.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Los Angeles Community College District provides reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with covered disabilities on a case-by-case basis throughout the application, examination, and hiring processes and throughout employment. If an individual is in doubt about their ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of a position or possession of any other requirement noted in a class specification or job announcement, they should always apply for a position and request reasonable accommodation at the appropriate time.