Work in Washington Veterans Jobs

Req #: 240714

Department: VETERANS EDUCATION BENEFITS OFFICE

Posting Date: 11/08/2024

Closing Info: Closes On 11/17/2024

Salary: $3,749 - $5,010 per month

Shift: First Shift

Notes: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here. (https://hr.uw.edu/benefits/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2018/02/benefits-summary-classified-staff-greater-than-half-time-20220908_a11y.pdf)

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills, and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits, and natural beauty.

The Veterans Education Benefits Office has an outstanding opportunity for a Temporary Program Coordinator (NE S SEIU 925 Non Supv)to join their team.

The Program Coordinator position in the Veterans Education Benefits Office is a multi-faceted role encompassing knowledge of Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) education benefits, and a desire to support veterans and their families in their transition to campus life and throughout their enrollment at the University of Washington.

The population the Veterans Education Benefits Office serves is dynamic and diverse with students from varying cultural, economic, education, political, and military service backgrounds. Students utilizing the services of the Veterans Education Benefits Office may also be experiencing difficulties with transition from military service, may have visible or invisible injuries and may require more in depth and persistent follow-up and support.

The Program Coordinator will administer and coordinate VA education benefits and state waiver programs, exercise independent judgment in interpreting and applying federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations governing the VA education benefits and state waiver programs. Making an assessment whether standard procedures will adequately resolve the situation and if the situation appears to be exceptional and may benefit from use of exception to policies.

The Program Coordinator will provide in person advising and counseling for students, parents, UW staff, and others seeking information and assistance with all aspects of Veterans Educational Benefits, and State Veteran Waiver Programs.

The administration of VA education benefits programs is complex, always changing, and subject to routine compliance audits from federal, state, and institutional officials. The Program Coordinator will keep abreast of federal, state, and institutional rules, and regulations governing the administration and implementation of the VA education benefits programs, and state waiver program.

The Veterans Education Benefits Office has experienced significant growth over the last years and the volume of students the Veterans Education Benefits Office serves is expected to continue to increase. The Veterans Education Benefits Office supports over 1200 students- veterans, active duty, reserve, National Guard, and dependents of active duty: VA Benefit and Program administration of $26 million annually, offering direct services and referrals to support services on campus and in the community to ensure success and retention. The Program Coordinator position will play a vital role in the continued growth and development of the Veterans Education Benefits Office.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Administration and Certification of Veteran Related Aid (55%)

• Inform and assist students with application for VA benefits.

• Keep VA informed of the enrollment status of veterans and other eligible persons and report any enrollment changes.

• Report accurate tuition and fees to the VA and monitor for other types of aid that may affect the benefits.

• Maintain required records and files- with clear written documentation regarding tuition and fee calculations, exceptional circumstances and decisions made.

• Collect appropriate and required documentation from eligible students. Follow up with students if documentation is not complete or sufficient.

• Review and determine eligibility for veteran related tuition waiver programs. Authorize quarterly payment and reconcile any payment exceptions or discrepancies.

• Keep informed of changes to VA and state policies, regulations and procedures regarding VA education benefits and state waiver programs.

• Monitor students' grades to ensure satisfactory progress is being made.

• Consult with academic advisor as to the applicability of courses to the student's degree program.

• Communicate and coordinate benefits with other colleges if a student is pursuing courses as a guest student.

• Process overpayments.

• Coordinate and process the Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) program, and process billing for VR&E benefits.Advising and Counseling (35%)

• Provide in person advising and counseling for students, parents, UW staff, and others seeking information and assistance with all aspects of Veterans Educational Benefits, and State Veteran Waiver Programs.

• Utilize a thorough understanding of veterans educational benefits; and articulate the various eligibility requirements to current and prospective students.

• Utilize independent judgment as needed and consult with the Program Support Supervisor, Associate Director or the Director Veterans Education Benefits Office for more complex situations and cases.

• Utilize independent judgment to determine when standard UW policies / procedures may be inadequate to meet the student's needs and advocate for the student for exceptions to policy within the office or with process partners, such as Student Fiscal Services, Housing and Food Services, and Educational Outreach. Advise, and assist students in preparing the documentation needed to proceed.

• Advocate on student's behalf to resolve complex issues, eligibility, or payment discrepancies.

• Make an assessment whether normal method of communication will suffice or if the student has special needs (whether visible or hidden) requiring additional accommodation.

• Make referrals to appropriate staff, managers, departments, organizations as needed.Audit and Compliance (7%)

• Review of variety of reports, such as quarterly grade and repeat course reports, course changes, payment rosters, etc. to ensure compliance with federal regulations and VA policies in the administration of benefits.

• Perform quarterly audit of files.

• Review student data to ensure proper coding for military affiliation for state and federal reporting.

• Prepare information and files for annual audit from VA or State Approving Agency.

• Ensure benefits payments are posted to account accurately and make necessary adjustments to reconcile the account.

• Payment reconciliation for VR&E.

• Deliver presentation about VA education benefits, and waiver programs for current and prospective students.Training and Conferences (3%)

• Attend various training workshops at state, regional and/or national conferences to maintain knowledge of regulatory policies. Keep up to date on proposed or enacted legislative changes.

• Keep abreast of technical applications of regulatory and institutional changes and utilize competent and increasingly complex computer system skills to meet job requirements. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• High school graduation or equivalent AND 2 years of experience in the program specialty (counseling and advising in a higher education setting), OR equivalent education/experience. DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Specialized training in VA educational benefit administration.

• Specialized knowledge of local and national resources to support veterans in their transition from military life to campus life.

• Additional years of experience in veteran counseling, or other settings administering public benefit programs.

• Demonstrated ability to work well with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Proficiency in providing written and oral communications to students, faculty, staff, and the general public- delivering information regarding UW policies and procedures, Federal and State regulations, and the proven ability to convey difficult messages.

• Experience and/or exposure to supporting veterans and military service populations in a university setting.

• Experience utilizing Enrollment Management and multiple data systems.

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.