Technical Support Specialist

Department

Financial Aid

Compensation

$19.15 Hourly

General Description / Primary Purpose:

The position reports to the Director, Student Financial Aid, and supports the functional management of federal and state financial aid systems as well Banner Financial Aid.

Job Function:

Ensure that all financial aid processes and modules are working in the most effective and efficient manner possible and ensure data integrity. Participate on technology projects related to Financial Aid functions, including the planning, design, and implementation of various technologies and web-based tools and services to support functions of Financial Aid. Act as liaison between Financial Aid and Information Technology Services. Testing of system upgrades are performed. Support Financial Aid with appropriate reports, operational improvements, maintenance, and troubleshooting for Banner Financial Aid and other financial aid products. This will require meetings with leadership and functional users in appropriate areas of Enrollment Services to identify areas for operational improvements, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Communicate Financial Aid technical needs and requests to ITS and other appropriate channels, and represent Financial Aid and its interests at various meetings, as necessary.

,

Serve as contact person between ITS and Financial Aid for technology projects; provide web and portal content to IT staff. Create and provide routine progress reports and information requests to involved parties. Create, implement, and maintain the continued production of Financial Aid reports using Banner reports, Cognos and/or other products. This will include working with various user groups to define reporting needs and data requirements. Assisting the leadership of the Office of Student Financial Aid with the delivery of training related to Banner Financial Aid and financial aid software products.

Marginal Functions:

Other duties as assigned

Departmental Requirements:

Work-place experience with student financial aid administration. Work-place experience with data base structures and functions, query writing, report writing. Work-place experience with Microsoft applications (e.g. MS Office, SharePoint), Sungard/SCT Banner, Cognos, OnBase, Luminis portal, CMS website controls. Experience managing and/or coordinating technology-related projects, including business process analysis, process and data requirements, and project management. Experience working in a higher education environment, especially in Financial Aid. Strong project management, interpersonal, communication (both oral and written), problem solving, organization, and documentation skills are essential. This position requires a strong background in technology and knowledge/experience in developing/enhancing software applications, as well as data base management skills. The position also requires a person who must possess excellent communication skills, both written and verbal; must be well organized, and must have strong interpersonal skills.

Supervision Exercised:

none

Supervision Received:

The Technology Support Specialist will work independently under the supervision of the Director of Student Financial Aid or as assigned. General supervision. The incumbent develops procedures for performing a variety of complex duties within established guidelines; has considerable freedom while the work is in process and receives instructions on new assignments.

Level of Public Contact:

The Technology Support Specialist will have frequent contact with members of the university community regarding issues related to Financial Aid, particularly university technology teams. In addition, there will be frequent contact with staff from the Florida Department of Education and some contact with the US Department of Education.

Monetary Responsibility:

none

Policy-making and/or Interpretation:

Works directly with the Director or Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid to develop and recommend policies and procedures associated with the use of technology in the Enrollment Services Systems. Facilitates development and implementation of new technology initiatives that will impact the Office of Student Financial Aid and ensures that they adhere to the technology policies, procedures, system risk assessment, standards, and practices currently in use by the university. This position will be responsible for interpreting rules and regulations governing all state and federal financial aid programs as established by audit reports, regulatory changes in Title IV programs and Federal Registers in coordination with the Director of Student Financial Aid.

Program Direction and Development:

Provides guidance and direction for development, implementation, and maintenance of financial Aid processes and technologies.

Statement of Responsibility for Confidential Data:

This position carries a high degree of responsibility for financial records of students and parents. The position also has daily access to confidential student records of both a personal and academic nature.

Required Qualifications: This position requires either (a) Bachelor's degree from an acceptable accredited institution in a directly related area of specialization; (b) a high school diploma and four years of experience directly related to the job functions. Directly related college coursework or vocational/technical training may substitute at an equivalent rate for the required experience.

Statement(s) of Understanding

This position requires a background check. In conjunction with the University's policy, this position may also require a credit check.

The holder of this position is designated as a “Responsible Employee” pursuant to their role under Title IX. Therefore, the incumbent must promptly report allegations of sexual misconduct, sexual violence, and child sexual abuse by or against any student, employee, contractor, or visitor to the University’s Title IX Administrator or any divisional Title IX Coordinator

Equal Opportunity

In 2020, the University of North Florida (UNF) received the prestigious INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only application-based national award for U.S. colleges and universities that exhibit an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campuses. In addition, UNF ranked highest among the HEED institutions and was recognized as a 2020 Diversity Champion.

The University of North Florida (UNF) is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all who interact in our community. In building this environment, we strive to attract students, faculty and staff from a variety of cultures, backgrounds and life experiences. The University of North Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not commit or permit discrimination or harassment on the basis of genetic information, race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, or veteran status in any educational, employment, social, recreational program or activity that it offers. In addition, UNF will not commit or permit retaliation against an individual who reports discrimination or harassment or an individual who cooperates in an investigation of an alleged violation of university regulation.

Carnegie

UNF is a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution. This designation celebrates the University’s collaboration with community partners from the local to the global level. It reflects UNF’s mission to contribute to the public good and prepare educated, engaged citizens.