Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance & Operations, Central Services* at Colorado Mountain College in Glenwood Springs, Colorado

Job Description:

Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance & Operations, Central Services*

About Colorado Mountain College

Imagine working at a college that welcomes everyone - students, faculty, staff, and community members - regardless of their backgrounds, beliefs, or traditions. An institution that is also integrally connected to, appreciated by, and supported by those same communities.

Envision yourself at a dynamic, innovative, forward-leaning college that has a highly entrepreneurial spirit and deep commitment to every learner - from first-generation college students and new-traditional and adult learners to academically motivated students seeking a more traditional liberal arts education - all within a robust and highly personalized learning environment.

Visualize applying your energy and skills for an organization that respects and cares about its employees enough to offer competitive compensation and benefits while encouraging every team member to renew and recharge in places of inspiration, reflection, and world-class outdoor recreation.

Welcome to Colorado Mountain College and its eleven campus locations sprinkled across a spectacular region of Colorado's central Rocky Mountains.

Our vision

Colorado Mountain College aspires to be the most inclusive and innovative student-centered college in the nation, elevating the economic, social, cultural, and environmental vitality of its beautiful Rocky Mountain communities.

The college

CMC is a comprehensive, public, open-access dual-mission institution offering 136 academic programs ranging from specialized certificates to associate and bachelor's degrees, a wide range of online, non-credit and lifelong learning courses, as well as extensive concurrent enrollment opportunities in close partnership with neighboring school districts.

Over 15,000 students attend CMC annually, and 40% of degree-seeking students earn a certificate or degree every year. The college's Latinx enrollment has doubled in six years to 27%, making CMC eligible for federal Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status. CMC courses are highly personal and many are highly experiential by design, each with a maximum registration of 25 students.

Colorado Mountain College campuses are located in Aspen, Carbondale, Breckenridge, Dillon, Steamboat Springs, Glenwood Springs, Glenwood Springs-Spring Valley, Leadville, Rifle, the Vail Valley, and Salida. Of these locations, three are residential-Spring Valley, Leadville, and Steamboat Springs - and students in Breckenridge have access to college-owned off-campus housing. CMC campuses are close-knit communities, on average serving between 1,000 - 2,000 students.

The majority of the college's financial support comes from local property taxes, not tuition or state revenues. Consequently, CMC is uniquely positioned to be entrepreneurial, nimble, mission-focused, and responsive to community and workforce needs. The college's Central Services administrative office, which provides administrative support to all campus locations, is located in historic downtown Glenwood Springs, the town from which CMC originally launched in 1965.

Colorado Mountain College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. For general information about CMC, its programs, locations, students, faculty, and offerings, go to: www.coloradomtn.edu.

Our commitment to an environment where everyone belongs

Our college and beloved mountain communities are enriched by a variety of voices and experiences.

At Colorado Mountain College, we continually work to improve learning and working environments that welcome everyone. We are deeply committed to promoting a free and open exchange of ideas, improving critical thinking, deepening mutual empathy and respect, and ensuring that every learner and team member has equal opportunities for personal and professional success.

The college prioritizes the recruitment, hiring and retaining of a highly engaged workforce that reflects and supports the backgrounds, characteristics and aspirations of the students enrolled at the college. CMC therefore values applicants who demonstrate prior accomplishments, training, and a commitment to the concepts of inclusive and equitable practices, as well as an understanding of historic and current social issues that impact groups of different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.

CMC employees enjoy regular opportunities to raise their awareness about pressing societal issues, develop individual critical thinking skills, and expand their understanding of and empathy toward others regardless of race, gender, ethnicity or other factors. Our goal is to deliver highly personalized teaching methods and effective student support services that enable students to achieve their goals, regardless of academic or financial barriers.

Applicants to Colorado Mountain College must demonstrate a commitment and competence to work effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds.

For more information about CMC, go to: www.coloradomtn.edu.

The position

Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Assistant Director of Financial Aid is responsible for the overall federal, state and operational compliance of the financial aid office. This key leadership position supports the Director of Financial Aid on legal, legislative and financial matters and is part of the leadership team for the Office of Financial Aid. The primary duties of this position are to research and remain current on all Title IV federal and State of Colorado regulatory guidelines and pending regulatory changes and ensure office policy and procedures are current and available. Works with financial aid leadership to ensure compliance and appropriate reporting related to administration of Title IV aid as well as other institutional compliance requirements. This position will guide, train, and evaluate Financial Aid staff in support of effectively administering student financial aid programs and related processes.

*Remote work options may be available and will be evaluated on an individual basis. On site attendance will be required at times for all positions. All candidates selected must live and perform all CMC work in the State of Colorado. Hours can vary based on time of year and student needs. This position will be required to visit our campuses in Western Colorado for certain events or meetings, including new student orientations, visit days or other occasions deemed important by the employee's supervisor.

View/download job description including hiring salary range: Assistant Director of Financial Aid Compliance & Operations

Pre-requisites for Position (Qualifications Standards)

Education and experience sufficient for the rigors of the position. Examples may include a bachelor's degree and five years of years related experience, or equivalent education and experience that will provide the necessary knowledge, skill and abilities to perform the functions of the position. Experience in a college Financial Aid program required.

Degree must be from an accredited institution. Degree in Business, Finance, or Accounting preferred. Experience with Ellucian Colleague (Datatel) preferred.

Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations essential. Experience analyzing and awarding financial aid in compliance with federal, state and institutional regulations and policies. Ability to collaborate and coordinate financial aid processes in a multi-campus college organization. An ability to understand the importance of financial aid in recruitment and retention in order to achieve the strategic goals of the College. A variety of computer software systems, including Microsoft: Word, Excel, One Note and Outlook, etc. Ability to: work independently; perform effectively in an environment with constant interruption; organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines; coordinate and monitor complex projects and activities. Ability to demonstrate good communication and customer relations techniques.

Welcoming. Innovative. Focused on Student Success. These principles reflect the soul of CMC. They guide us in building our teams, cultivating leaders, and expanding our approaches and mindset. They guide us to be an institution of higher education that's the right fit for every faculty member, staff, student, and community member in its trust. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to working effectively with students, employees, and community members of all backgrounds

Bilingual (English/Spanish) or conversational language abilities preferred.

To Apply: Please submit the required letter of interest, resume, and list of three professional references. CMC is an EOE committed to diversifying its workforce.

External Applicants: Apply Online

Internal Applicants: Please proceed to the HR page of Basecamp or by searching in Learning Hub for instructions on applying for a full time position as an internal applicant.

Review of application material will begin April 4, 2022.