Financial Aid Counselor III

Financial Aid Counselor III

Job Title  | Financial Aid Counselor III
Union Level  |
Department  | Financial Aid
Campus  | Stockton
Posting Number  | 201304137P
Full or Part Time  | Full Time
Number of Months  | 12
Work Schedule  |
Position End Date  |
Open Date  | 08/18/2025
Close Date  | 08/22/2025
Open Until Filled  | No
Special Instructions to Applicants  | For Applicants Seeking Job Opportunities within the University
Internal: Internal applicants will be considered within the first five (5) business days of the posting period.
External: External applicants will be considered on the sixth (6) business day of the posting period.
Sponsorship  | This position is not eligible for a visa sponsorship now or in the future.

 
Position Summary Information 

Primary Purpose  | The financial aid team includes multiple counselor positions at various levels. The current openings are located on the Stockton campus and may include program management across the three campus locations of the university. The counselor duties and focus both overlap and are distinct depending upon the business needs of the university and the experience of the individuals. The counselor is expected to understand and support the mission and goals of the department, division and institution. The counselor is responsible for effective and compliant administrative support of various federal, state and institutional financial aid scholarship, grant, loan and employment programs.

The Counselor III is expected to interact in a positive, collegial manner and to effectively work with all members of the financial aid team. The Counselor III is also expected to work effectively with and to appropriately represent the office when interacting with the university’s cross-functional teams with which the financial aid operation partners to administer its programs.As an essential member of the financial aid team the Counselor III is responsible for supporting a professional service-oriented operation that administers a full range of financial aid programs and is entrusted with ensuring that excellent customer service is provided to students, parents, colleagues and other constituencies.

Essential Functions  | Core Competencies Deliver exceptional service to students, parents and colleagues. Continue to develop and expand a current working knowledge of Title IV, state and institutional regulations and policies as needed to fulfill position responsibilities. Understand and implement policies and procedures when working with student files and program processing. Ability to make sound independent decisions that determine financial aid eligibility for students. Multi-task and smoothly pivot focus as needed with the deadlines and the service needs of the department. Coordinate work with colleagues in the department and across the university as necessary. Maintain an at times high volume of work in which errors are minimized .

Essential Functions
Provides skilled advising for students and parents via all communication channels including email, text, telephone, website and platforms such as Teams and Zoom. Processes financial aid documents utilizing discretion and independent judgment pertaining to appeals, verification and eligibility confirmation for federal, state and institutional programs. Provides support and guidance in the areas of regulatory compliance, funds management, and reconciliation. Responsible for drafting policies and procedures for management review and approval. Responsible for the training and mentoring of Financial Aid Counselor I and II positions Assists with supervision of Federal Work Study employees. Collaborates with student accounts and other offices to confirm financial aid data. Assists with the processing of California state grants, Federal Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans for undergraduate, graduate and professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students, including loan creation and loan origination. Processes Payroll loads for student employment programs. Assists with administering the university’s merit scholarship programs. Assists with awarding of endowed scholarships. Manages review of reports, analyzing enrollment status and identifying necessary aid adjustments. Responsible for oversight of one or more financial aid programs. Performs other duties as assigned or requested.University of the Pacific recognizes that diversity, equity, and inclusion is foundational to the success of our valued students and employees. We prioritize policy and decision-making that demonstrates awareness of, and responsiveness to, the ways socio-cultural forces related to race, gender, ability, sexuality, socio-economic status, etc. impede or propel students, faculty, and staff.

Minimum Qualifications  | Bachelor’s Degree; OR equivalent – (Two (2) years of full time experience in the same/similar position is equal to one (1) year of completed post high school education coursework). Two (2) years of relevant financial aid experience.

Preferred Qualifications  | Highly developed knowledge of rules and regulations as they pertain to administration of federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. Expertise and experience to utilize professional judgment to calculate appropriate financial aid offers for students. Knowledge and ability to independently reach nuanced and appropriate decisions utilizing professional judgment. Ability to identify and defuse/resolve conflict in escalated/complex situations. Ability to identify and refer conflict/complexity to manager in escalated and/or complex situations where student/parent issues cannot be resolved by counselor. Excellent oral, written and customer service communication skills. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the financial aid team, cross-functional colleagues and external partners. Ability to multi-task and prioritize within concurrent deadlines. Ability to work both independently and as a member of the financial aid team Ability to organize work for efficiency and to minimize errors. Positive attitude. Experience and sensitivity in working with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures. Demonstrated experience in advancing social justice, equity, and inclusion in a university setting. Ability to engage and integrate culturally responsive practices and knowledge in their work.

Physical Requirements  | The physical demands described here are representative but not definitive of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Requires extended periods of sitting and repetitive hand/wrist motion while using computer keyboard and phone. Occasional standing, walking across campus, climbing stairs, bending, stooping and reaching. Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment/Work Week/Travel:
Work is generally performed during standard business hours but may occasionally include evenings and weekends. May be required to work at other campus locations. Local and national travel may be required.

Hiring Range  | $68,640; We consider factors such as, but not limited to, scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s qualifications, internal equity, as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.
Background Check Statement  | All applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment are required to execute a release and authorization for a background screening.

AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: University of the Pacific complies with California Assembly Bill 810, requiring candidates accepting conditional job offers to disclose any final administrative or judicial findings, ongoing proceedings, allegations, resignations under investigation, or appeals related to sexual harassment or misconduct within the past seven years.

Anti-Discrimination/EEO Policy Statement  | University of the Pacific is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to workforce diversity across backgrounds, experiences, and viewpoints. Pacific does not unlawfully discriminate in its hiring of faculty and staff, or in the provision of its employment benefits to its faculty and staff on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, genetic information, sex/gender, marital status, military and veteran status, sexual orientation, medical condition, pregnancy, gender identity, gender expression, or mental or physical disability, or other legally protected characteristics or combination of such characteristics. While we strive to attract a broad and representative pool of candidates, all hiring decisions are made based on merit, selecting the most qualified individual for each position.

Posting Specific Questions

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Applicant Documents