Academic and Financial Aid Advisor

LOCATION: Wayland Baptist University (WBU) – Amarillo Campus 

SUPERVISED BY: Executive Director/Campus Dean 

POSITION CLASSIFICATION: Non-Exempt 

POSITIONS SUPERVISED: None 

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:  The Academic/Financial Aid Advisor serves all campus functions on the Amarillo Campus, including both academic advising and financial aid tasks as well as recruiting and community events. This person also assists with registrations and graduations.

SPECIFIC TASKS AND DUTIES: 

  1. Maintain a strong customer-service attitude (treat others as you would want to be treated).
  2. Participate actively in daily office functions.
  3. Coordinate with other office staff to ensure all student services are performed in a timely and efficient manner.
  4. Advise students to help them understand their educational options, including matters such as course and program selection, class scheduling, school adjustment, study habits, and career planning.
  5. Provide counsel to students concerning financial aid processes, options and commitments.
  6. Accept and process payments, work with students on aging reports, and process deposits.
  7. Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available services.
  8. Review accounts receivable, billing, and collections in consultation with the Campus Dean.
  9. Input and update student account data and maintain accurate records.
  10. Maintain the local campus web page and social media accounts.
  11. Provide registration functions.
  12. Provide assistance to the faculty as directed by the Campus Dean or Assistant Dean.
  13. Perform initial collection duties on delinquent student accounts (letters and phone calls).
  14. Provide back-up reception duties (answering phone, handling walk-ins, etc.).
  15. Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
  16. Assist the Executive Director/Campus Dean and back up the office staff to meet the needs of the Amarillo Campus.

The above statements are not a complete list of all responsibilities and duties performed by employees in this job.  Employee may perform other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director/Campus Dean.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

A bachelor’s degree is preferred; some work toward the bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience and Knowledge:

  1. Experience advising students in an academic setting preferred.
  2. Principles, methods, and procedures for career counseling and guidance are important.
  3. Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  4. Knowledge of academic degree plans and requirements is essential. Familiarity with Wayland’s  programs is desirable.
  5. Some experience working with networks and/or Microsoft-based computers preferred.

Skills and Abilities:

  1. Service Orientation - Actively looks for ways to help people.
  2. Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  3. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  4. The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand is important.
  5. The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences is important.
  6. The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand is very important.
  7. The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing is important.
  8. The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong is helpful.
  9. The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you is important.
  10. Good written communication skills are very important.
  11. An ability to learn new technology is important.
  12. A demonstrated work-ethic is critical.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

Employment is subject to an introductory period to monitor employee performance.   If hired, the prospective employee must present documentation within three (3) days of hire date to establish their identity and employment eligibility as required by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  The employee must be able and willing to travel to Plainview for training and occasional meetings, must be able to operate a licensed motor vehicle, have access to a dependable motor vehicle, and possess a valid state driver’s license. The employee must have and maintain a satisfactory driver’s record. Additionally, all interactions with social media, including private accounts and web sites, should reflect positively on Wayland Baptist University, and must not be in contradiction to historic Christian principles.

Wayland Baptist University does not unlawfully discriminate in employment opportunities or practices on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, or any other characteristic as defined by law.