Fiscal Support Specialist, Washington County Campus

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas. As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers. NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success. Under the direction of the Manager Treasury Services, the Fiscal Support Specialist is responsible for serving students, staff, parents and community members through the Treasury Services office, working on a broad array of student service issues, including student accounts, financial aid, veterans’ benefits, orientation, admissions and registration. The Fiscal Support Specialist collaborates with various service areas to facilitate consistent delivery of services and information across campus. The Fiscal Support Specialist refers students to the appropriate college resource while providing exceptional customer service to a diverse population. Essential Duties - Provides information on a variety of topics related to student services to students, staff, parents, and community members, in-person and via various communication methods, including phone and email. - Conducts assessment of student needs and proactively engages students in conversation and financial planning related to their college experience; facilitates set up of payment plans for current student accounts. - Acts as primary point of contact for students, staff and college departments in accurately receipting, recording, refunding, and balancing tuition payments and college revenues; balances daily cashiering session and prepares deposits; provides assistance and guidance to back-up cashiers. - Works closely with college-wide personnel to research and resolve or redirect student inquiries and disputes. Handles a variety of difficult customer situations and disputes using tact, diplomacy and patience to defuse irate/angry customers. Provides support and information to other members of Treasury Services. - Handles one or more college-wide process related to core area of responsibility, such as: emergency loan tracking and maintenance, returned check processing, and account balance write-offs. - Prepares a variety of routine accounting reports, such as aging report, collections analysis, etc. - Assists with past due student accounts, contacting students via phone, email, and mailings. Maintain student account documentation to assist agencies in the collection of outstanding accounts. Performs daily maintenance for State Set-Off receipts (i.e. checking DFA website for money received and posting payments). - Performs complex cashiering and refunding functions for student accounts and a variety of college areas following specific college procedures and policies. Must be familiar with college payment, billing and refund policies, institutional and FERPA confidentiality regulations; and Federal Title IV cash management regulations. - Works with the AR Accountant in resolving credit card disputes. - Prepares check requests for scholarship returns and submit to AR Accountant for approval. - Performs scanning and indexing of student and department transactions and documents. - Researches and resolves discrepancies and/or disputes related to core area of responsibility. - Provides appropriate referrals with supporting documentation as required. - Maintains cashier procedures and updates as necessary. - Ensures that relevant information is posted and visible to students, staff and the general public. - Regularly upgrades and refreshes knowledge and skills through required attendance at training sessions, Treasury Services functions and staff meetings. - Performs other related duties as assigned. Rate of pay: $16.13 per hour Knowledge, Skills and Abilities • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills required; team-oriented individual necessary to provide support in a high-demand environment. Discretion is vital as most information and data handled is of a confidential nature. • Specific knowledge of college, local, state and federal regulations regarding billing, payment, refunding and confidentiality; general knowledge regarding rules and regulations related to student services. • Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously; comfortable with not completing tasks in a linear fashion. • Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form with a diverse customer base in a welcoming and friendly manner. • Ability to balance cashiering sessions and maintain accurate records. • Ability to defuse anger and resolve complaints/issues. • Ability to utilize various resources, i.e. handbooks, internet, regulations, etc., to research questions and find appropriate answers; escalate as needed. • Ability to work independently with minimal instruction, and must demonstrate initiative, and flexibility. • Skilled at explaining terms, concepts and technology in plain language. • Skilled in use of Student Information systems, word processing programs, spreadsheets, email and other computer programs. • Skilled in using a computer and in data entry. • Knowledge of the principles and practices of mathematics and statistics. • Knowledge of research and analysis techniques and methods. • Ability to prepare, present, and review oral and written information and reports. • Ability to develop, recommend, interpret, and apply policies and procedures. • Ability to analyze financial records and prepare reports. • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of others. Physical Demands/Work Environment Work is performed in an office setting that may be, at times, noisy and intense with multiple interruptions. Occasionally: • Crouching • Driving • Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding • Grasping • Kneeling • Lifting • Pulling • Pushing • Stooping Constantly: • Feeling • Hearing • Reaching • Repetitive motion • Sitting • Standing • Talking • Walking The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes. Environmental Conditions The following work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Required Education The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma. Required Work Experience Two years of experience in student financial accounts, banking or related area. Additional requirements determined by the institution for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Arkansas Division of Higher Education. OTHER JOB-RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFCATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMNTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFCATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE. NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.