William Paterson University invites applications for the full-time position of Information Specialist within the Office of Financial Aid.

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Information Specialist position serves as the liaison between the offices of Financial Aid and Information Systems.

The Information Specialist ensures and maximizes effectiveness when developing business system processes and reports to meet the needs of the office while supporting federal, state and/or institutional regulations and compliance.

This position plans and develops projects and reports to achieve optimum production and customer service to the University community.

The Information Specialist reviews and develops software specifications and tests programs to ensure their accuracy, and develops tools of quality control assessment by proposing and executing information technology solutions.

As a member of the Financial Aid team, the Information Specialist participates in the design of the office’s strategic planning and assessment.

For more information visit https://www.wpunj.edu/financial-aid/

Duties and Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Plans and develops projects/reports to achieve optimum production and customer service to the University community and participates in the design of the office’s strategic planning and assessment.
• Analyzes business process requirements and writes and implements specifications for the maintenance, enhancement, and automation of the Financial Aid Module (FAM) information systems; responsible for creating and following up with Ellucian Requests for Product Enhancement (RPE); and, responsible for analyzing and implementing Ellucian Time of Solution (TOS) upgrade modifications (also known as patches or fixes) from a functional standpoint.
• Sets up system program parameters, performs testing and works with Information Systems staff to move jobs into production; insures the integrity of data in reports and batch updating functions, as well as monitor production activity; sets up and maintain systems production schedule.
• Using appropriate computer software tools, analyzes, modifies and executes computer programs that produce reports to fulfill federal (e.g., FISAP), state and institutional compliance and reporting requirements (including the completion of surveys) and administrative support to the department.
• Manages and coordinates U.S. Department of Education (U.S.D.E.) Electronic Data Exchange processes. This includes installing U.S.D.E. software and upgrades, troubleshooting software problems, and investigating new system solutions.
• Manages and coordinates Campus Logic software.  This includes installing and upgrades and troubleshooting software problems for StudentForms, CampusCommunicator and ClearCost.
• Trains staff, creates and updates training documentation in the use of various Financial Aid Office software applications, e.g., EDE, COD, NSLDS, E-Administrator, NJ Quick Calc, Loan Tools; keep staff updated with system updates, e.g., Ellucian upgrades.
• Manages one or more federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. This includes ensuring compliance, developing and maintaining written procedures in the administration of the program, setting and following an annual schedule of activities and deadlines required to administer the program, monitoring and overseeing program budget, and reconciling student aid and scholarship fund accounts.
• Performs student aid need analysis, verification of financial data and other criteria to confirm student aid eligibility, federal, state and institutional financial aid award packaging, and processes and originates educational loans for students and parents, and other procedures necessary to deliver financial aid to students.
• Counsels and advises students on the student aid application process, requirements for eligibility, need analysis, process for change in financial circumstances, rights and responsibilities regarding student aid, academic progress requirements and procedures for appealing, and other information related to student scholarships, grants, work and loans.
• Supervises and conducts staff evaluations (professional and support staff as well as student assistants).
• Assists with the offices outreach presentations (e.g., Orientation, Open House).
• Represents the Financial Aid Office in various campus and off-campus meetings and pertinent associations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned that are appropriate for the position.

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Three (3) or more years’ experience in the administration of financial aid programs and systems operational support.
• Demonstrated understanding of data processing systems, programming, and operational procedures as well as a thorough understanding of financial aid delivery and financial aid programs.
• Evidence of having technical skills appropriate to work with report generators as well as spreadsheets, word processing, databases, MS-Windows, and other PC-based office productivity tools; proficient with writing population selections (popsels).

Additional, preferred qualifications:

• Master’s degree.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner and Education Loan Management Resources (ELM).

Personal attributes and traits

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written format in a complex environment with constituents who may express competing wants and needs.
• Ability to prioritize work and meet agreed upon goals and deadlines.
• Capable of self-starting and adhering to agreed upon timelines with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to think critically to analyze and interpret both data and written materials and make accurate and consistent interpretations.
• Able to problem solve within institutional processes and procedures.

Invitation to apply:

Interest candidates will be prompted to complete an application and submit a cover letter & CV.

Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled. Please email talent@wpunj.edu should you have any general questions related to this search.

General questions related to this application process, please contact talent@wpunj.edu

About William Paterson:

William Paterson University is the third most diverse public university in New Jersey. As a longstanding member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), we have been designated by the US Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. William Paterson University is also proud to be designated as a NASA MSI (Minority Serving Institution). The University offers undergraduate and graduate academic programs that range from liberal arts and sciences to pre-professional and professional programs; it enrolls over 8,000 students from across the country and from over 40 nations. The University is situated on a beautiful, 370-acre suburban campus in Wayne, New Jersey, just twenty miles west of New York City.