Basic Needs Advisor

University of California Santa Cruz Santa Cruz, CA Full-time Education

Posted on April 1, 2024

Apply Now

Basic Needs Advisor

Location: Santa Cruz
Job ID: 64186

JOB POSTING

HOW TO APPLY

For full consideration, applicants should attach their resume and cover letter when applying for a job opening. For guidance related to the application process or if you are experiencing difficulties when applying, please review the Applicant Resources on our Talent Acquisition website.

INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

Application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring unit for consideration. Materials submitted after the IRD will ONLY be forwarded at the request of the hiring unit. To ensure your application is routed for consideration, submit your materials before 11:59 p.m. on the IRD. Talent Acquisition cannot accept application materials outside of the jobs portal, and is unable to update submitted applications on an applicant's behalf, or forward communications to the hiring units. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 02-20-2024

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The University of California Santa Cruz enrolls roughly 19,000 students a year and 77% of undergraduates receive some form of financial aid. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) strives to deliver high quality service to students and their families. We are committed to minimizing financial barriers, dedicated to providing students and their family's access to a broad range of aid programs to support students in achieving their educational goals..

The office is part of Enrollment Management, which includes Financial Aid and Scholarships, Orientation and Undergraduate Admissions. Enrollment Management is part of the multi-faceted academic Division of Undergraduate Education. Undergraduate Admissions, Enrollment Management and Undergraduate Education work closely with select Academic Senate committees.

Since its founding in 1965, the University of California, Santa Cruz, has grown from 652 students to nearly 19,000 students (2022-23) and earned international distinction as a world university with high-impact research, ranking 3rd in the world for research influence by Times Higher Education, and among the top 50 universities in the world, according to the U.S. News and World Report 2017 Best Global Universities rankings.

A campus with world-class facilities and one of the most visually spectacular settings in higher education, UC Santa Cruz offers rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research opportunities. At the core of our progressive educational approach are our 10 distinctive residential colleges, which organize the campus into smaller living/learning communities.

More information can be found at: https://financialaid.ucsc.edu/index.html

JOB SUMMARY

The Basic Needs Advisor serves as the principal resource for campus staff that support Basic Needs efforts, including but not limited to Slug Support, Basic Needs, Student Health, EOP, STARs, DRC, etc. Uses professional financial aid concepts applied to a limited number of financial aid functions. Provides information and interpretation of standard policies, procedures and regulations. Advisor is responsible for processing the awards tied to programs which address food, housing, health and wellness, and financial insecurity. This includes reviewing various award requests to determine how to best bridge these student supports with federal aid regulations and revising aid packages. Works independently under general supervision in providing routine information and receives direction regarding more complex programs. The advisor will be backup for the scholarship adviser and scholarship manager and may assist with other non-basic needs awards processing as needed throughout the year. Additionally, incumbent will assist with general customer service on the phone, front counter, outreach events and/or web conferencing. Conducts occasional outreach efforts tied to Cal Fresh and Federal Work Study utilization. Will participate in general financial aid advising trainings throughout the year including obtaining baseline knowledge of verification and file review.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $29.45 - $31.13/Hourly. Salary commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

Full-time, Fixed
Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
Days of the Week: Mon-Fri
Shift Includes: Day

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: Non-Represented

Job Code Classification: FINANCIAL AID OFCR 2 (004526)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

60% - Processes scholarships and awards related to food, housing, health and wellness and financial insecurity and revises other financial aid according to established regulation and policy. Maintains intake form and manages processing queue for basic needs awards. Assists with other awards processing as assigned.
10% - Analyzes student and campus department inquiries, determines relevant issues, and recommends resolution of extremely sensitive, specialized and/or complex issues. Uses professional judgement to authorize exceptions to policies.
10% - Provides customer service to current and prospective students and parents on financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations. Supports outreach efforts to increase Federal Work Study utilization, including community service opportunities.
10% - Participates in packaging advisor trainings and keeps apprised of general regulations and verification updates.
10% - Participates on standing department committees, to raise issues and receive direction on practices and procedures. Assesses student emergency needs and advises on strategic awarding within policies.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Basic knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid.
Basic knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures.
Basic knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
Ability to apply knowledge of policies to individual situations.
Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
Customer service orientation.
Written communication skills.
Verbal communication and active listening skills.
Ability to assess processes and recommend improvements. Good interpersonal skills.
Proficiency with standard office software, internet, and email applications. Basic knowledge of common University-specific computer application programs.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in related area and / or equivalent experience / training.
Experience revising financial aid packages with scholarship awards.
Experience with food and housing security support programs.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
Ability to work long periods of time at a computer with or without accommodation.
The selected candidate will be required to work a hybrid work schedule and must be able to work successfully from a home/remote office and fulfill the requirements of the UCSC telecommuting agreement.
Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends as directed.
Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
Ability to maintain appearance and conduct suitable for working in a professional setting.
The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.
Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

APPLICANTS ARE REQUIRED TO USE THE UCSC ON-LINE PROCESS
View full job description and access on-line application:
https://careerspub.universityofcalifornia.edu/psp/ucsc/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM.HRS_APP_SCHJOB.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=11&JobOpeningId=64186&PostingSeq=1

To ensure review of application materials by the hiring unit, they must be submitted on or before the initial review date (IRD) via the Staff Employment Opportunities web site; https://jobs.ucsc.edu. A computer is available at the UC Santa Cruz Staff Human Resources Office located at Scotts Valley Center. The Scotts Valley Center is located at 100 Enterprise Way, Suite E100, Scotts Valley, CA 95066. To learn more or to request disability accommodations, call 831-459-2009. Hearing impaired are encouraged to use the California Relay Service at 800-735-2922. UC Santa Cruz is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status. UC Santa Cruz is committed to excellence through diversity and strives to establish a climate that welcomes, celebrates, and promotes respect for the contributions of all students and employees.

Apply Now