Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) Technical Specialist

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision of the Director of Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS) and Special Outreach, the position will perform a variety if complex and technical duties for students in the Extended Opportunities Programs and Services (EOPS) Department. Technical duties include analyzing program eligibility, awarding students while monitoring federal and state categorically funded programs and reconciling EOPS program disbursements. This position values and promotes the mission and vision of the college.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS: The incumbent performs technical work with a high degree of accuracy in the planning, organizing, and carrying out of multiple programs with a considerable degree of independence thereby relieving the supervisor of a wide range of routine program administration. The incumbent must have a good working knowledge of the college's EOPS programs and is required to have an operational knowledge of federal, state, local, and institutional regulations and categorical guidelines to ensure program compliance and to support student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness. The incumbent works with a high degree of accuracy in the disbursement of funds as well as for the preparation of federal, state, and institutional reports and audits.

1. Maintains current knowledge of federal, state, local, and institutional guidelines/regulations related to programs;
2. Interprets and applies regulations to determine program eligibility to maintain program integrity;
3. Assists in the implementation of internal policies and procedures, including development and preparation of correspondence, announcements, forms and award notifications;
4. Evaluates transcripts, financial aid, and student academic history that may affect students' continuing or remaining eligibility;
5. Assists with individual and group recruitment, orientations, case management, and presentations;
6. Assists, advises and educates current and potential students and parents in completing applications and forms and understanding student resources including federal and state aid and scholarships;
7. Manages expenditures to ensure timely, ongoing direct aid executes the process to award and distribute resources to students
8. Technology and data liaison with ITS to ensure timely updates are made to institutional database; maintains a working knowledge of department software to support students and train staff and faculty in categorical programs; reviews data for accuracy and prepares state and local reports, utilizing a variety of technical and software systems;
9. Maintains a working knowledge of department software to support students in categorical programs;
10. Discretionary ability to determine eligibility exceptions, verify student income, and resolve conflicts within student applications;
11. Assists in the recruitment, orientation, training and day-to-day oversight of peer advisors;
12. Assist in new student eligibility determination and analyzes categorical program applications and level of financial assistance according to CA Education Code and Title 5 state regulations;
13. Advises students on maintaining program requirements, income appeals, loan responsibility and repayment obligations;
14. Applies EOPS requirements to determine satisfactory academic progress utilizing students' transcripts and academic and program history;
15. Support district collection of data by inputting new and continuing categorically eligible students into district reporting system for state reports;
16. Collaborates with other departments and agencies to support eligible and potentially eligible students;
17. Attends conferences, meetings, and workshops to remain current with ongoing changes to federal and state regulations;
18. Prepares, generates data, and reviews state and local reports for accuracy as requested, utilizing a variety of technical and software systems;
19. Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Socioeconomic conditions;
• Basic statistics, research methods, and reporting;
• Methods and practices of financial record keeping;
• Federal, state, and local student financial aid programs;
• Word processing and data entry skills are essential;
• Written business communications;
• Organizational skills and office techniques.

Demonstrates ability to:

• Learn, understand, interpret, and apply Title 5 regulations, policies, guidelines and procedures;
• Plan, organize, prioritize work in order to meet frequent and changing deadlines;
• Investigate and research problems, devise solutions and present recommendations;
• Work independently, with the ability to prioritize;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions;
• Multitask and adapt to changing tasks, workflows, and project expectations;
• Make arithmetical computations quickly and accurately;
• Operate a computer with speed and accuracy;
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work in order to meet frequent and changing deadlines;
• Analyze student financial aid needs;
• Use complex, integrated financial aid delivery system to input and retrieve data with speed and accuracy.

• May sit for extended periods of time;
• Operate a computer and software programs;
• Communicate over the telephone, via email, and in person;
• Ability to lift, carry, and/or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Education and Experience:

Possession of an associate's degree or higher from an accredited college with a major in psychology, sociology, public relations, financial services or related fields AND one year experience performing duties close related to this position. (Qualifying experience performing duties closely related to this position may be substituted for the required education on the basis of two years' experience for one year of education.)

The desired start date is January 2025. This a full-time, 37-hours-per-week, classified position.

Bilingual is preferred.

Work Schedule: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

To be considered for this position, the candidate must submit the following application materials through our website https://www.hancockcollege.edu/hr/ by Sunday, December 1, 2024, by 11:59 PST:

• Cover letter;

• A current and complete resume/CV of education and professional experience.

Allan Hancock College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.