Job Summary

The Veteran Affairs Certifying Official will perform a variety of technical duties to assure eligible students receive available Veteran benefits and educational services; serves as a technical resource concerning Veteran Programs and Services; reviews, verifies and processes related forms and applications; trains and provides work direction to Veteran’s work-study staff involved with intake and processing Veteran’s documents.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Perform a variety of technical duties to assure eligible students receive available Veteran benefits and educational services; evaluates military experience and advises student applicants on Veterans educational benefits; explains program regulations and policies; assist and provides information in-person and on the telephone regarding various G.I. Bill programs.

Monitor and follow up on student progress and enrollment to ensure VA procedures and requisites are met.

Assure student needs are being met; review various documents to assure students meet College course, enrollment, major, degree, certificate, GPA, residency, program, and service requirements.

Assist and meet with students applying for various programs, services and benefits including Veterans and dependents; process military tuition requests for tuition assistance; refer students to various programs and services.

Assist students with establishing and meeting educational goals.

Distribute and monitor VA funded payments to students as directed; follow up with and resolves tuition payment and discrepancy issues; investigate delays and clarification of payments with VA; determine qualification for tuition assistance for qualified veterans.

Serve as a technical resource to students, faculty, staff, and the public regarding veteran-related educational functions; respond to inquiries and provide detailed and technical information concerning related standards, requirements, practices, policies, and procedures.

Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, fax machine, computer and assigned software; input confidential student data into computer tracking system.

Perform on-going reviews of compliance and regulations mandated by the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure rules and regulations for educational benefits are complying.

Train and provide work direction to part-time and work-study staff involved with intake and processing Veterans documents.

Process changes in enrollment status for adds, drops, swaps, and schedule changes; submit related reports to Veterans Administration; coordinate concurrent enrollment with other colleges; prepare documentation for "early- outs" through the Veteran's Administration office.

Certify the educational plans of students accurately to assure receipt of benefits for applicable course work; assure compliance with applicable VA/HCC policies.

Communicate with academic advisors to assure accuracy of academic plans; advise students regarding individual education plans.

Adhere to guidelines by Texas Veterans Commission Prepare for and assist with VA audits as directed; review student study programs and unit certification to assure compliance with established requirements; for approval for various benefits and College catalog information as needed.

Maintain current knowledge of VA and other applicable policies, procedures, and regulations; notify students of changes as needed; implement and report changes in student status and VA services.

Communicate with students, College personnel and various outside agencies to exchange information and resolve issues or concerns.

Serve as a liaison between the HCC, student(s) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Compile information and prepare, and maintain, various records and reports related to students, Veterans, dependents, degrees, certificates, benefits, Veteran's Affairs (VA) and assigned activities; prepare and distribute a variety of correspondence.

Oversee assigned Student Veteran Resource Center including but not limited to assessments of veterans’ and their dependents’ needs as related to benefits, outside resource recommendations, collaborate with internal and external partners to increase veteran awareness on campus, and assist with/participate in onsite and external campus outreach and recruitment activities.

Collaborate with internal and external partners on target events for veterans and/or their dependents throughout the year.

May work irregular hours, including nights and weekends as needed.

Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

•         Bachelor’s degree in related field required

•         2 years of work experience in post-secondary institution, including experience using Information Management Systems- Student Administration module, VA program experience, and high-volume customer service unit in a higher education institution preferred    

Licensing & Certification

•         Valid Texas Driver License

Special Skills      

•         MS Office Programs

•         Information Management Systems

•         Budget Management

•         Veteran Applications

•         Veteran Benefits              

Competencies 

•         Delivering High Quality Work

•         Accepting Responsibility

•         Serving Customers

•         Supporting Organizational Goals

•         Driving Continuous Improvement

•         Acting with Integrity

•         Thinking Critically

•         Managing Change

•         Communicating Effectively

Working Conditions

General Office.  Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner.  Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements.  May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE:  This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215