Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Customer Service Technology

Job Description

Job Description

Title: Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Customer Service Technology

Position Type: Professional Tech Full time

College: Pikes Peak State College

Location: Colorado Springs

Salary Range: $68,340 annual gross

 

Who We Are:

Pikes Peak State College is the largest and most diverse college in the Pikes Peak region, serving students with a wide range of goals, experiences, and responsibilities. Our students include recent high school graduates, working adults, military-affiliated students, parents, first-generation students, career changers, transfer students, and lifelong learners.

Our mission is to provide high-quality educational opportunities to all, with a focus on student success and community needs. We fulfill that mission by creating affordable, flexible, and accessible pathways that help students transfer to four-year institutions, enter the workforce, advance their careers, and build better futures close to home.

As the needs of our students, employers, and communities continue to evolve, so do we. PPSC embraces innovation that is human-centered, ethical, and focused on student learning. Through strong workforce partnerships and the thoughtful integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, we prepare students not only for today's opportunities, but for what's next.

We're looking for people who are passionate about access, collaboration, innovation, and student success. Whether you work in the classroom or behind the scenes, your contributions help create opportunities that change lives. At PPSC, our vision is simple: Students Succeed at PPSC.

 

Job Summary:

This is a NON-CLASSIFIED employment opportunity and is exempt from the State Classified Personnel System. Visit the State of Colorado for Classified employment opportunities.   

The Assistant Director of Financial Aid is a full-time professional exempt position, reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid. This position will head a team that provides excellent, efficient and timely customer service to all students who visit or co ntact the Financial Aid office, ensuring the customer is provided the information they need to navigate through the financial aid process. This position maintains a thorough and current working knowledge of all federal Title IV, State of Colorado and institutional rule s, regulations and procedures to ensure the accurate release of information and program compliance.

Reports To: Associate Director of Financial Aid

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Remain informed of changes in federal and state policies that may impact institutional procedures. Evaluates the effectiveness of existing policies and procedures and recommends changes to the Associate Director of Financial Aid.

• Supervise and evaluate the Customer Service staff in the financial aid unit. Create and maintain a high performance environment characterized by positive leadership and strong team orientation. Defines goals and/or required results at the beginning of the performance period; supervises and coaches staff toward goal expectation and attainment. Motivates staff to improve quantity and quality of work performed and provides cross-training and development opportunities as appropriate.

• Determine eligibility and authorize awards from federal and state programs in compliance with all rules, regulations and guidelines. Utilize existing funds to maximize number of students receiving assistance. Revise awards as individual circumstances change.

• Provide information, counseling and advise individuals and groups, including prospective and current students, parents, faculty, staff and other professionals in the financial aid comm unity about available programs, application procedures, eligibili1y requirements, student's rights and responsibilities. Work with Recruiters on schedule for high school visits and FAFSA assistance.

• Serve as liaison with outside agencies and other internal departments to research and resolve problems that interfere with the student's ability to receive funds and/or access educational opportunities.

• Collaborate with the Marketing team to maintain and update website content, student-facing forms, and departmental policies and procedures (P&P) guides to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance.

• Gather, organize, review and preserve information needed for reports, audits, and program reviews. Provide interpretation and additional information to others as required.

• Resolve issues that arise as a result of miscommunication or misunderstanding between students and staff as it relates to the financial aid process.

• Completion of other projects and responsibilities as assigned by the Associate Director of Financial Aid.

• Analyze, implement and review organizational structure and process for completing tasks; determine need for changes in procedures and recommend appropriately.

• Actively participate in CCCS, State of Colorado, regional and national forums for areas within or related to Financial Aid.

Competencies/KSAs:

• Knowledge of Financial Aid resources including FSA Partner Connect and NASFM.
• Demonstrate ability to use Dept of Education software such as FAFSA Partner Portal, NSLDS and COD.
• Knowledge of post-secondary education financial aid procedures.
• Knowledge of the Higher Education Act and the timings of the regulations that have affected Title IV programs.
• Excellent oral and interpersonal communication skills, including ability to make professional presentations to large groups.
• Excellent written communication skills, including writing reports and training materials.
• Solid computer skills, including word-processing, database, spreadsheet, and presentation software applications; fluent in internet use and navigation.
• Skill in utilizing current student information system for providing student services and managing administrative functions.
• Excellent problem-solving skills, with ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and measure programs and processes, performing basic data analysis to identify statistical trends.
• Demonstrated leadership ability.
• Ability to work effectively with wide variety of constituents, including students, faculty, staff, and community members/organizations.
• Ability to gather and synthesize information from multiple sources to be utilized in effective decision -making.
• Ability to work both independently and as effective team member.
• Ability to effectively supervise and evaluate employees.
• Ability to navigate differences effectively and respectfully in the workplace.
• Adhere to college policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Two years professional employment experience in a financial aid office in Higher Education
• Demonstrated experience administering and interpreting State financial aid funding
• Demonstrated experience administering and interpreting Federal financial aid regulations
• Demonstrated experience with public speaking and group educational presentations

Professional level experience is defined by the Colorado Division of Human Resources: A position that involves the exercise of discretion, analytical skill, judgment, personal accountability, and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, or sharing an organized body of knowledge. Colorado revised statute (C.R.S. 24-50-135(1) allows colleges to exempt positions from the State Personnel Classified System that are determined to be professional level work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in business administration; counseling; communications/public relations; public administration; organizational development/leadership ; college student personnel administration; student affairs in higher education; educational leadership; education; or related field
• Demonstrated work experience in a community college
• Two or more years of direct supervisory experience
• Professional experience building rapport and working collaboratively with a variety of constituents and diverse populations
• Experience with Banner Student Information System
• Experience with Federal Department of Higher Education software
• Employment experience managing resources and services in online and/or distance education
• Experience with computer office software applications (word processing, database, spreadsheet, presentation) and Internet
• Demonstrated work experience in secondary education or higher education
• Ability to read, write, and speak fluent Spanish 

Selection Process:

For full consideration, all application materials must be received by 4:00 p.m. on  September 30, 2026. 

Must be a State of Colorado resident or able to relocate to Colorado prior to first date of employment.

Visa support is not available for this position.

Application Instructions: 

Pikes Peak State College will conduct reference checks and a criminal background check on the selected candidate. Employment offers and continued employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal background check. This position will have access to federal tax information and must complete a fingerprint-based criminal history record check as part of the pre-employment process.

Application must be submitted online.  Incomplete applications may not receive full consideration.  A complete application will include:

Cover letter - Address the minimum and preferred qualifications in the order listed on the job announcement.
Resume - Reflect experience, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.  
Unofficial Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts for all degrees conferred.  Official transcripts are required if hired for the position.  
Professional References - Provide names and contact information for three recent professional references who can address your expertise and background for this position.

Additional Information/Benefits:

Work Life Balance
Pikes Peak State College offers a generous amount of annual leave and sick leave. Depending on your employment category and full or part-time status, Pikes Peak State College offers 15 hours a month of annual leave and 10 hours a month of sick leave accrual. There are paid holidays and alternate paid holidays which allow the college to be closed Christmas Day through New Year's Day. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Tuition Reimbursement

Education and your success are a priority at Pikes Peak State College. We encourage you to develop job skills and abilities which will benefit you as well as our college. Eligible employees, their eligible dependents, and spouse/domestic partners may enroll in credit courses at any of the Colorado Community College System. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Health, Dental & Vision

Pikes Peak State College offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to provide you and eligible dependents, spouse/domestic partner, with a broad range of employer paid and employee paid benefit options. In addition to medical coverage, the college offers dental and vision insurance plans to choose from. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Retirement

Pikes Peak State College participates in Colorado Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) contribution rates. State employees are required to a mandatory contribution of a percentage of their salary to the plan, and the college contributes a percentage as well. While you are enrolled in PERA, you do not pay Social Security. In addition, there are supplemental retirement plans available through three other vendors.

Flexible Spending Accounts

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) offer you an easy way to pay for eligible medical and childcare expenses with money that's set aside with a pre-tax benefit. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Disability Coverage

Pikes Peak State College offers disability insurance to help you meet needs should you become unable to work due to an illness or injury.

Life Insurance

Pikes Peak State College offers life insurance paid for by the college to eligible employees. Supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance policies are available for those interested in additional coverage. Eligibility is defined by your employment FTE status.

Additional Leave Programs

Pikes Peak State College offers additional leave programs such as bereavement leave, jury leave, community and parental academic leave, Family and Medical Leave (FML), and Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).