Position Summary

Reporting to the Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations, the Systems Specialist, Financial Aid Operations provides system and operational support for an operationally diverse and varied user community with a focus on Financial Aid system processing across the various schools and departments within the University.  

Responsibilities

• Supports financial aid operations and processing through system uploads and feeds as well as provide back-up support to other student services business processing including uploads, feeds, and system support.  
• Provides technical and systems support to various users of the financial aid system including providing user set-up and desk-top support, and assisting in the development, documentation and maintenance of practices and processes for operations and system processing.
• Participates in the technical development of new processes and systems to benefit student services.  
• Supports functions for various student system modules including providing end-user training and system support, planning and supporting the development, implementation, and testing of system enhancements and new systems using a variety of technologies including mainframe, client-server, software as a service, and web-technologies.
• Acts as business process and systems analyst for student services processes and operations. 
• Performs reconciliation of Federal campus-based aid on a monthly, term and annual basis and works closely with related areas of Student Financial Services (SFS), including Student Accounts and Work-Study Offices, to ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of funds.  
• Performs student bill testing and production reviews and monitors the student E-billing process, and participates in meetings and user groups to promote communication and assess impacts with related areas within SFS.  
• Responsible for other duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent
• Minimum of two to four years related experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SIS Informs and PowerFAIDs Financial Aid system strongly preferred. 

• Project Management and systems implementation experience is a plus.   

• Knowledge of SQL and understanding of data structures desirable.  

• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Student Aid regulations and understanding of Financial Aid systems a must. 

Other Requirements

• A demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of University and business personnel performing student administration activities, and an understanding of how technology supports and enhances administrative operations and service provision in a University environment required. 

• Knowledge of various activities within system operation including File Transfer Protocols, system/database access, and experience with enhancement, development, and integration of complex student information systems essential. 

• A demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team-based environment, manage conflicting priorities and work under deadlines is needed.   

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access required. 

• Must be detail-oriented with organizational and problem-solving skills, and be able to manage deadline oriented projects.  Must be able to demonstrate critical thinking, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.  

• In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.  

• Must have a passion for excellent customer service and commitment to exceptional quality.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.