Edtech.com's Summary

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College is hiring a School Certifying Official. This role serves as the college's primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, certifying enrollment and academic progress for military-connected students receiving VA education benefits. The certifying official also partners with Financial Aid, the Registrar, and Bursar to resolve student benefit and account issues while supporting compliance through accurate recordkeeping and reporting.

Highlights

Certifies VA education benefits and monitors student eligibility and academic progress
Maintains records in VA certification systems and the college's student information system
Coordinates with Financial Aid, Registrar, and Bursar offices on student benefit issues
Guides veteran and military-affiliated students through benefits, policies, and processes
Analyzes participation data to support institutional reporting
Offers a hiring range of $50,000 to $53,000
Requires a bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Prefers School Certifying Official certification or willingness to obtain it within six months

School Certifying Official Full Description

Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia's capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance.

The School Certifying Official (SCO) serves as the college's primary liaison with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military-connected students. This role is critical in ensuring the accurate certification and administration of VA educational benefits in full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

The SCO upholds the highest standards of integrity, accuracy, and accountability in certification, reporting, and recordkeeping, while providing exceptional, student-centered service to veterans, service members, and their families. Through collaboration with key departments, including Financial Aid, Registrar, Bursar, and Advising, the SCO strengthens institutional compliance and enhances the overall veteran student experience.

Key Responsibilities

Certify student enrollment and academic progress for VA educational benefits in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations.
Serve as the official VA point of contact for the college, maintaining timely communication with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
Review, process, and monitor student eligibility, enrollment status, academic progress, and payment reconciliation.
Maintain accurate records in VA certification systems (e.g., VAONCE or the VA Education Platform) and the college's student information system.
Ensure institutional compliance through accurate reporting, documentation, and periodic audits.
Collaborate with campus partners in Financial Aid, Registrar, and Bursar offices to resolve student benefit and account issues.
Provide guidance, workshops, and one-on-one support to veteran and military-affiliated students regarding benefits, policies, and academic processes.
Analyze data to support continuous improvement, identify trends, and contribute to institutional reporting.
Participate in professional development, training, and networking with the VA and statewide organizations to maintain current knowledge of policies and best practices.
Promote a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment that supports the success and well-being of military-affiliated students.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated knowledge of VA education benefit programs (Chapters 33, 35, 30, 1606) and related certification systems.
Familiarity with federal and state compliance regulations related to veterans' educational benefits.
Experience working with student information systems and Microsoft Office or comparable data management tools.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet strict deadlines.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills, with a commitment to accuracy and confidentiality.
Proven ability to interpret and apply complex regulations and provide high-quality, student-centered service.

Preferred Qualifications

Two or more years of experience supporting veteran or military-affiliated students in higher education.
Experience using VA certification systems (VAONCE or VA Education Platform) and enterprise student systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Banner, or Colleague).
Working knowledge of financial aid, registration, and student billing processes.
Certification as a School Certifying Official (SCO) through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (preferred or required within six months of hire).
Experience managing or coordinating state or federal benefit programs.
Familiarity with military culture, structure, and transitional challenges of service members and their families.
Active involvement in professional organizations such as the National Association of Veterans' Program Administrators (NAVPA) or related groups.

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

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School Certifying Official

Edtech.com's Summary

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