Compensation: $63,980 to $76,397 plus excellent benefits, including generous employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums and participation in the Oregon PERS retirement system.

We offer an opportunity for…

A collaborative, equity-minded leader to serve as CGCC’s Director of Financial Aid. The Director of Financial Aid is responsible for creating, assessing, and continuously improving the policies, processes, and practices necessary to: facilitate equitable student learning and success, deliver excellent service, and accomplish the work of the Student Services division. The Student Services division includes Enrollment Services, Advising, Outreach, Housing, Student Life and Athletics.

This role reports directly to the Vice President of Student Services and serves as the liaison to the Business Office, CGCC Foundation on grants with direct financial support to students. The successful candidate will work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders and be driven by a genuine desire to advance the College’s Mission and Priorities. Accordingly, the Director of Financial Aid will provide excellent service with a focus on closing equity gaps in educational access and attainment. They will work to promote inclusive prosperity throughout the Columbia Gorge region.

Who we are…

Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC) is a comprehensive community college dedicated to promoting an academic and social environment that serves the evolving needs of the vibrant and diverse communities across its district and beyond. The College aims to foster an inclusive and equitable climate where employees and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We understand these values are foundational to our mission and are critical to ensuring the well-being of the communities in our service area. As a college, CGCC commits to being accountable to communities who have been historically excluded from higher education and to the land in the area it serves. Candidates from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Mission: CGCC prioritizes equitable access to education, empowers all students through learning, and drives inclusive prosperity throughout our community.

Vision: As an institution of higher education, CGCC innovates and excels, champions equity and inclusion, and nurtures belonging among our students, employees, and the community.

Priorities:

• Ensuring equitable access to education
• Advancing equitable student learning and educational outcomes
• Fostering economic growth, inclusive prosperity, and a thriving community

Guiding Principles: Open Communication, Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Equity and Inclusion.

Where we are…

Columbia Gorge Community College serves a diverse region in north-central Oregon and south-central Washington. CGCC acknowledges we are on the homelands of the Confederated Tribes of the Yakama Nation and neighboring tribes as well as the 14 bands along the Inchi I’wana (Columbia River). Our main campus is within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in The Dalles, Oregon. We also have a beautiful site in the city of Hood River.

What the area offers…

Nestled in the breathtaking beauty of the Columbia River Gorge, our College offers more than just a job; it provides a unique lifestyle. Imagine waking up to stunning mountain views, enjoying outdoor adventures in your backyard, and being part of a tight-knit community dedicated to educational equity and innovation.

The Columbia Gorge has a rich history as a center of Native American trade for over 10,000 years and situated near the end of the Oregon Trail. Much of the area is connected to agriculture, with large acreages of wheat fields, and cherry, pear, and apple orchards. There are also dozens of world-class vineyards, wineries, and breweries that, together with outdoor recreation, have created a strong hospitality and tourism industry.

Organizations like Comunidades, The Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, Washington Gorge Action Programs, and The Next Door are representative of the groups that span the Gorge area to provide community resources and leadership. Manufacturing, technology, and IT companies are expanding rapidly in the area, which is home to companies such as Insitu, Tofurky, Cardinal Glass, Sagetech, HoodTech, and Google. Portland is roughly an hour away, with its various urban attractions and access to international travel.

What you will do…

The Director of Financial Aid plays a central strategic role in dismantling systems and barriers for our students to achieve equitable student access and success. This role is an excellent opportunity for an experienced problem solver who promotes equity-minded systems reorganization and ensures compliance with state and federal requirements.

Financial Aid Operations

• Provides leadership and direction in administering federal and state financial aid programs.
• Serves as primary liaison to the US Department of Education's Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) and manages federal financial aid reporting (e.g., FISAP, E-App updates, IPEDS)
• Hires, supervises, and promotes training and professional development of financial aid staff.
• Manages, maintains, updates, and troubleshoots financial aid systems processes, including data exchanges with the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., COD, NSLDS) and OSAC, as well as the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Direct Loans.
• Reviews FAFSA and ORSAA data to determine applicants’ eligibility for financial aid; sends requests for additional information as needed
• Manages the Federal Work-Study program, including posting job announcements and acting as liaison to on-campus and off-campus employers.
• Manages financial aid and scholarship awarding and revision processes.

Compliance

• Ensuring that the College maintains compliance with all applicable federal law, state law, and any other applicable rules and regulations related to the administration of Financial Aid funds.
• Responsible for developing, implementing, and monitoring all operational functions within financial aid and for the strategic use of institutional aid in achieving enrollment objectives in accordance with the College's strategic plan and overall mission.
• Maintains net price calculator.
• Performs return of federal funds (R2T4) calculations.
• Performs monthly external reconciliation of Federal Pell Grants, Campus-Based funds, and Federal Direct Loans.
• Assists with yearly closeout of federal and state financial aid programs.
• Reports on Oregon Opportunity Grant and Oregon Promise Grant expenditures (OSAC).

Unit & College Leadership

• Supports the creation of and updates to annual financial aid publications (e.g., college catalog, marketing materials).
• Serves as a leader or advises campus-wide committees (e.g., Leadership Council, Equity Action Committee, Foundation, etc.)
• Use culturally responsive practices to benefit students, employees, and communities with historically marginalized identities.
• Dismantle systems and barriers in order to achieve equitable student success.

What you (preferably) bring….

• Ability to analyze, interpret, and implement technical procedures or governmental regulations.
• Extensive knowledge of the administration of federal financial aid programs, processes, and regulations.
• Team builder with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work well with students, parents, faculty, college staff, and regulatory entities.
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Experience promoting equity-minded and diversely represented communications and materials; experience responding to and understanding the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and employees as these factors relate to the need for equity-minded practices.
• Five years of experience working directly related to financial aid, with two years of related management experience.
• A master’s degree is preferred for highly qualified candidates.
• Bilingual (Spanish) preferred.

Minimum Requirements…

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field from an accredited four-year College or university.
• Five or more years of direct financial aid experience, including management
• Must successfully pass verification through the Federal System for Award Management (SAM).
• Commitment to a student-centered learning environment and student success.
• Experience managing a third-party processor, such as Global Financial.

Position information

Studies have shown that women and people of color may be less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every one of the qualifications listed. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. We encourage you to apply, even if you don't meet every one of our qualifications listed. If you are unsure whether you meet the qualifications for this position, please contact us to discuss your application.

Open until filled. An initial review of applications begins on January 31, 2025.

Starting salary is based on qualifications, experience, and internal equity.

Please include a resume and letter of interest with your application materials.