Career Center

Veterans Services Specialist

Salary: $27.27 Hourly
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 2324-00019
Closing: 12/3/2023 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Rocklin, CA
Division: Student Services

Description
Under general supervision from assigned manager, performs program, technical, and administrative duties in support of the veterans services program; serves as an advisor for and assists active military, veteran, and eligible dependent students with obtaining resources and services; assists with the coordination and oversight of the activities and daily operation of the Veterans' Success Center; and serves as the School Certifying Official (SCO) and liaison between the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the District.

Examples Of Functions and Tasks
REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES
The following duties are typical for this classification. Incumbents may not perform all of the listed duties and/or may be required to perform additional or different duties from those set forth below to address business needs and changing business practices.

1. Serves as the School Certifying Official (SCO) and liaison between the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) and the District to ensure compliance with VA educational regulations; supports the program during VA and Department of Defense (DOD) audits; maintains, verifies, and updates documentation and student enrollment records; ensures certification of veteran student eligibility and enrollment; advocates for distribution of eligible benefits and receipt of services and resources; consults with students regarding academic concerns and monitors academic progress; assists students with scheduling courses, determining an appropriate class schedule, and registering for classes.
2. Advises and assists active military, veteran, and eligible dependent students with obtaining resources to maximize their VA and DOD educational benefits; assists students with completing applications for services and other required documents.
3. Conducts and participates in outreach events for recruitment and veteran benefits awareness; plans, coordinates, organizes, schedules, and conducts orientations, workshops, seminars, presentations, tours, meetings, and other activities related to the veterans' program; arranges and confirms speakers; reserves facilities and makes other necessary arrangements.
4. Partners with marketing to develop promotional and informational collateral for outreach events to raise awareness and promote available programs, services, and educational resources to military and community organizations offered to aid the applicable student population.
5. Partners with appropriate District offices for the billing, receipt, and accounting of funds as defined by the VA.
6. Coordinates with Admissions and Records staff to verify periodic activity reports and comply with federal reporting requirements for the Post 9/11 GI Bill.
7. Serves as the point of contact for students, District staff, and the public regarding department and program services; provides technical and specialized program information and assistance; explains program applications, policies, procedures, requirements, and restrictions; assesses students' current knowledge, understanding, and experience to determine next steps and recommend applicable resources; assists students and provides technical assistance in the use of programs and resources; refers students to counselors, other student services, and resources, as needed; answers phones and refers callers to appropriate office or District staff, as needed.
8. Establishes and maintains records, files, and record keeping systems, including confidential and sensitive information; collects, compiles, records, and verifies narrative, statistical, and financial data, and other information; researches and verifies information, as requested.
9. Coordinates communications and activities with other District departments and personnel, educational institutions, government, private agencies, and the public.
10. Performs clerical and administrative duties in support of department and program operations; composes and prepares correspondence, materials, reports, forms, brochures, presentations, handbooks, manuals, and information; develops promotional and informational materials for distribution; assists with planning, developing, documenting, and implementing department or program operations and procedures; recommends changes regarding policies and procedures; collects, compiles, verifies, and records information in preparation of reports; researches and resolves problems; maintains and generates reports from a database or network system; maintains assigned calendars, schedules, and appointments; maintains inventory of office and department supplies, resources, and collateral; arranges for equipment repair or service, as needed.
11. Serves as a technology resource for students and District staff for information and assistance.
12. Determines program eligibility and prepares needs analysis, as needed; reviews, processes, and assists students with program and college applications; registers students for programs; uses case management strategies to monitor, track progress, and provide support to students ensuring they maintain program eligibility and reach educational goals.
13. Compiles and tabulates statistical data; compiles information from various sources and prepares appropriate forms, schedules, and summarizes data related to standard reports; lists, abstracts, or summarizes data; inputs and reviews data and prepares special and periodic reports related to an assigned project or program area, including federal and state mandated reporting; verifies accuracy, completeness, and compliance with rules, procedures, regulations, policies, and other mandates.
14. Participates in evaluating current processes and procedures that impact effectiveness and the ability to fully leverage technology to serve students; makes recommendations to increase efficiencies.
15. Pulls research and data reports to identify students who may be eligible for additional support programs.
16. Reviews updated or new technical instructions or references; assists in providing training and direction to others regarding changes and new regulations, including creating and disseminating new instructions.
17. Assists students in the preparation and completion of forms, petitions, and certifications, including, but not limited to, program and college applications, graduation petitions, and other documents; clears prerequisites and registration holds; verifies completeness and processes forms and petitions; enters data and maintains records of student activity.
18. Monitors accuracy of college catalog and changes in academic programs that impact student's eligibility.
19. Assists manager with hiring process for the VA Work-Study program as the Work-Site Supervisor.
20. Develops and establishes relationships with the service area communities to promote the college, including educational programs and resources, campus events, career workshops, and scholarships.
21. Develops and implements a peer-to-peer veteran's mentorship program.
22. Collaborates with the Sierra College Foundation to fund programs to improve the educational experience and outcomes of applicable students.
23. Attends VA trainings and conferences, as needed, to ensure compliance with VA rules and regulations for certified program funding.
24. May perform general clerical accounting duties related to various financial processes.
25. Provides assistance to and backs up co-workers and other staff within the assigned area, as needed.
26. Provides onboarding support, general work training, guidance, supervision assistance, and directs activities of students or temporary employees.
27. Performs related duties that support the overall objective of the position.

Minimum Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS
The following generally describes the knowledge and ability required to enter the job and/or be learned within a short period of time in order to successfully perform the assigned duties.

Knowledge of:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of the veteran's services program, including objectives, policies, and procedures.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official Handbook.
• Veterans Affairs education benefits and military tuition assistance programs.
  
• College course prerequisites and matriculation policies.
  
• Federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations regarding support of active military, veteran, and eligible dependent students, including, but not limited to, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and educational benefits and military tuition assistance programs.
  
• Principles, practices, and techniques of marketing, public speaking, and outreach.
  
• Principles, practices, and procedures of fiscal, statistical, and administrative record keeping.
  
• Basic research methods and data analysis techniques.
  
• English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation, and vocabulary.

Ability to:

• Provide assistance, training, and information to students, District staff, and the public concerning veteran services and programs.
• Serve as the School Certifying Official and ensure the college abides by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) policies and regulations.
• Coordinate and conduct workshops, seminars, special events, presentations, orientations, and tours.
• Research, compile, analyze, and interpret data.
• Prepare administrative and financial records.
• Screen, interview, and assess needs of students and clients.
• Make presentations to groups.
• Properly handle difficult, sensitive, and confidential situations and materials.
• Plan and organize work to meet changing priorities and deadlines with frequent interruptions and a high degree of public contact.
• Maintain current, accurate, and confidential records and files.
• Utilize office procedures, methods, and equipment, including computers, technology, and applicable software applications sufficiently to perform the duties of the classification, including the District's Banner Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
• Adapt to changing technologies and learn functionality of new equipment and systems.
• Maintain confidentiality of information.
• Follow oral and written directions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Provide onboarding support, general work training, guidance, supervision assistance, and direct activities of students or temporary workers.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Work with and show sensitivity to a diverse student population from a wide range of ethnic, socio-economic, gender, sexuality, and accessibility backgrounds.
• Work independently and collaboratively.
• Apply District policies and procedures.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE GUIDELINES
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required qualifications for the position. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

• Education/Training: Equivalent to completion of the twelfth grade or General Educational Development (GED) supplemented by college level course work.
• Experience: Three years of experience with Veteran Services or increasingly responsible clerical and program support experience involving frequent customer contact.
• License/Certificate - Possession of, or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe, each of the following:
  • Valid California Driver's License with acceptable driving record.
  • School Certifying Officer (SCO) Certification.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The conditions herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Environment: Work is performed primarily in a standard office setting. Position may be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends. Position may require occasional travel to other locations.
• Physical: Primary functions require sufficient physical ability and mobility to work in an office setting; to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time; to occasionally walk, stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, reach, and twist; to lift, carry, push, and/or pull light to moderate amounts of weight; to operate office equipment requiring repetitive hand movement and fine coordination, including use of a computer keyboard; and to verbally communicate to exchange information.
• Vision: See in the normal visual range with or without correction; vision sufficient to read computer screens and printed documents; and to operate assigned equipment.
• Hearing: Hear in the normal audio range with or without correction.

Supplemental Information

WHY SIERRA?

• One of Aspen Institute's Top 150 Community Colleges in the nation
• The Accrediting Commission recognized Sierra 'for its exemplary practice of providing personnel with opportunities for continued professional development in order to meet its mission.' This includes providing students and employees with a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our students, etc.
• Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS)
• 17 paid holidays (including extended time off during the winter break)
• 12 accrued paid vacation days per year (vacation accrual increases over time)
• Competitive benefits package
• Flexible work schedules may be available
• Currently during summers, some employee groups participate in 4x10 schedules
• Qualifying Employer for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (in most cases)

Sierra College is a Community College located near Sacramento, California where a heavy emphasis is placed on academic excellence and student success. Since its founding in 1936, Sierra College has focused on quality instruction and meeting the evolving needs of the students and communities that it serves. The Sierra Community College District covers more than 3,200 square miles and serves the Northern California foothill counties of Placer and Nevada, as well as parts of El Dorado and Sacramento. We serve over 16,000 students throughout the region in both on-ground and online courses, including students at our main Rocklin Campus as well as at three centers located in Grass Valley, Tahoe/Truckee, and Roseville. Our District prides itself on academic excellence.

Sierra College has a strong commitment to the achievement of equity and inclusion among its faculty, staff, and students and values the rich, diverse backgrounds that make up the campus community. A strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds. This includes persons with disabilities, various gender identities and sexual orientations, as well as individuals from historically underrepresented communities and other groups. Our District is committed to providing strategies for success and proactive student-centered practices and policies focused on eliminating equity gaps to ensure the District provides an inclusive educational and employment environment focused on strategies for success and equitable outcomes for all.

As an institution, Sierra College is committed to eliminating the equity gap in all student populations with dynamic, learner-centered practices and policies that fully engage the college community. The ideal candidate will share the College's commitment to helping its racially and socioeconomically diverse students succeed in their degree and career objectives. Currently, Sierra College enrolls 16,500 students per term, where approximately: 24% of Sierra College's students are Latin(o)(a)(x)(e), 3% are African-American, 2% are Filipino, 6% are Asian-American, 7% are multiracial and 55% are White.

The successful candidate will join a College dedicated to the use of culturally responsive strategies and methods that meet the varying needs of our students, faculty, staff, and surrounding community. Sierra College demonstrates its commitment to equity by supporting ongoing professional development for students, faculty, and staff. These opportunities include trainings and workshops on equity and inclusion, active Academic Senate standing committees concerned with student success and equity, a Presidential Equity Advisory Committee (PEAC), culturally responsive student engagement centers, support for our undocumented and AB540 students, campus-wide equity summits, a robust set of programs, events, and conferences related to equity-mindedness and supporting the success of our diverse students.

Need Help With Your Online Account?

• Use the online Help Guide or contact the NEOED Applicants Support Line at 855-524-5627 if you need assistance with your online applicant account.
• Applicant Support is available between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. Pacific Time, Monday through Friday.

Helpful Tip:

Please note that as described above a strong candidate for this position must demonstrate a profound understanding of and experience with successfully supporting individuals with varying backgrounds; and therefore, hiring committees assess candidates for these knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Applicants may want to consider incorporating culturally-inclusive/equity-minded strategies practiced and/or evidence of the responsiveness to and understanding of the racial, socioeconomic, and cultural diversity of community college student populations throughout their application materials (including application and documents uploaded, if any).

Please see the Sierra College website for additional helpful tips and tools for prospective applicants.

Travel expenses may be partially reimbursed for candidates traveling beyond a 150 mile radius for second round interviews. All other travel expenses will be borne by the candidate (if in person interviews).



Terms and Conditions of Employment:

Other terms and conditions of employment are specified in the applicable collective bargaining agreements on file in the District Human Resources Department. Position description of record on file in the Human Resources Department.

*Sierra Community College District currently operates campuses in Rocklin, Roseville, Truckee and Grass Valley. In its management of a multi-campus environment, the District reserves right of assignment including the right to change assignment locations and shift assignments based on District need. Although this position may currently reside at the Rocklin campus, the assignment location may be subject to change as needed. Additionally, the district reserves the right to cancel, revise or re-announce this position as well as any and all positions at any time.

EEO/TITLE IX EMPLOYER Sierra College is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination and the achievement of diversity and equity among its faculty, staff, and students.

Persons with inquiries about the application of Title IX and/or EEO may contact the Director of Diversity, EEO & Title IX (Title IX Coordinator) at the address below, at (916) 660-7006 or via email at EEOT9@sierracollege.edu.

Persons with questions regarding reasonable accommodation of physical and other disabilities should contact the Sierra College Human Resources Department at (916) 660-7105.

If you have limitations hearing or speaking, the State of California offers a specially-trained Communications Assistant (CA) that can relay telephone conversations for all of your calls. Dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). Dialing 711 is for everyone, not just those who have difficulty hearing on a standard phone. If you prefer having your calls immediately answered in your mode of communication, dial one of the toll-free modality and language-specific numbers below. The call will be routed to the CRS provider.

TTY/VCO/HCO to Voice

English 1-800-735-2929

Spanish 1-800-855-3000

Voice to TTY/VCO/HCO

English 1-800-735-2922

Spanish 1-800-855-3000

From or to Speech-to- Speech

English & Spanish 1-800-854-7784



To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/sierracollege/jobs/4270540/veterans-services-specialist






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