Program Specialist

Summary

Program Specialist IIIThis position performs duties under the limited supervision of the Educational Policy Analyst-SES in the State Scholarships, Loans & Grants Section of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This position is responsible for assistance to professional staff assigned to administer specific student assistance programs. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating with institutions and students pertaining to complex issues on financial aid awards. This position is also responsible for assisting with responsibilities assigned to the unit's Program Director.Duties and Responsibilities:Evaluates Postsecondary Institution Renewal Applications to determine program participation eligibility.Maintains accurate and up to date Institution Demographic Information.Serves as the liaison for State Student Financial Aid Database security, assisting with issues as they arise.Assists in developing systems and reports for anticipating future conditions in applicant criteria and requirements.Develops policy analysis for the unit director.Develops and produces reports which reflect assessment of the applicant data and information systems.Establishes and maintains a computerized database to manage data on student applicants for financial assistance programs funded by state and federal sources including scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursement and teacher loans.Evaluates student applicant data and information to determine eligibility, make awards, and ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to all eligible award recipients.Process may also include the evaluation of needs analysis data and academic transcripts.Provides technical assistance at the state level on program requirements to applicants, parents, and schools both orally and in writing including policy interpretation, appeal consideration, and judgments on eligible programs of study.This requires a full knowledge of state program statutes, rules and policies.Analyzes and recommends to supervisor changes that may be needed in program rules or statutory authority and draft proposed language or review proposals made by others.Develops and maintains statistical and demographic reports on program applicants and recipients to provide a current snapshot of the program at any given period.Oversees training, development and materials for counselors and other stakeholders.Assists supervisor in management of all programs in the unit and acts as a resource person for the unit in the supervisor's absence.Performs other duties as required.Minimum Qualifications:Four (4) years of professional experience in business operations, financial accounting, program management.Experience in creating and conducting training courses.Experience with public speaking.Ability to provide work samples of writing skills for grammar, editing and communication review upon request.Preferred Qualifications:Preferences will be given to applicants who meet both the professional and educational experience.Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement accurately and to completion.Florida Department of Education Mission Statement:Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects the cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success. The FDOE's mission for Florida's Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all student within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued students, parents, and communities. Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full-time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida's students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers – encouraging independence and self-sufficiency. FDOE's goal is to hire individuals to provide: Higher Student Achievement Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access Skilled Workforce and Economic Development Quality ServicesWorking for the State of Florida has benefits! State Group Insurance coverage options+ Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required) Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities) Retirement plan options, including employer contributions Annual and Sick Leave Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts Ongoing comprehensive training provided Career Growth Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits Highly skilled, professional environment

Job Description

Program Specialist IIIThis position performs duties under the limited supervision of the Educational Policy Analyst-SES in the State Scholarships, Loans & Grants Section of the Office of Student Financial Assistance. This position is responsible for assistance to professional staff assigned to administer specific student assistance programs. In addition, this position is responsible for communicating with institutions and students pertaining to complex issues on financial aid awards. This position is also responsible for assisting with responsibilities assigned to the unit's Program Director.Duties and Responsibilities:Evaluates Postsecondary Institution Renewal Applications to determine program participation eligibility.Maintains accurate and up to date Institution Demographic Information.Serves as the liaison for State Student Financial Aid Database security, assisting with issues as they arise.Assists in developing systems and reports for anticipating future conditions in applicant criteria and requirements.Develops policy analysis for the unit director.Develops and produces reports which reflect assessment of the applicant data and information systems.Establishes and maintains a computerized database to manage data on student applicants for financial assistance programs funded by state and federal sources including scholarships, grants, tuition reimbursement and teacher loans.Evaluates student applicant data and information to determine eligibility, make awards, and ensure timely and accurate disbursement of funds to all eligible award recipients.Process may also include the evaluation of needs analysis data and academic transcripts.Provides technical assistance at the state level on program requirements to applicants, parents, and schools both orally and in writing including policy interpretation, appeal consideration, and judgments on eligible programs of study.This requires a full knowledge of state program statutes, rules and policies.Analyzes and recommends to supervisor changes that may be needed in program rules or statutory authority and draft proposed language or review proposals made by others.Develops and maintains statistical and demographic reports on program applicants and recipients to provide a current snapshot of the program at any given period.Oversees training, development and materials for counselors and other stakeholders.Assists supervisor in management of all programs in the unit and acts as a resource person for the unit in the supervisor's absence.Performs other duties as required.Minimum Qualifications:Four (4) years of professional experience in business operations, financial accounting, program management.Experience in creating and conducting training courses.Experience with public speaking.Ability to provide work samples of writing skills for grammar, editing and communication review upon request.Preferred Qualifications:Preferences will be given to applicants who meet both the professional and educational experience.Applicants who complete application information and hire requirements listed in the advertisement accurately and to completion.Florida Department of Education Mission Statement:Every day the Department of Education works hand in hand with parents, teachers, educators, and community members to improve Florida's education system for students of all backgrounds and abilities. Our site reflects the cooperative relationship and the role that so many Floridians play in ensuring student success. The FDOE's mission for Florida's Early Learning-20 education system is to increase the proficiency of all student within one seamless, efficient system, by allowing them the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills through learning opportunities and research valued students, parents, and communities. Serving approximately 3 million students, 4,400 public schools, 28 colleges, 200,000 instructional staff, 46,000 college professors and administrators, and 340,000 full-time staff throughout the state, FDOE enhances programs and services for Florida's students from early learning through college and career development. In addition, FDOE manages programs that assist individuals who are blind, visually impaired, or disabled succeed either in school settings or careers – encouraging independence and self-sufficiency. FDOE's goal is to hire individuals to provide: Higher Student Achievement Seamless Articulation and Maximum Access Skilled Workforce and Economic Development Quality ServicesWorking for the State of Florida has benefits! State Group Insurance coverage options+ Nine paid holidays and a Personal Holiday each year Student Loan Forgiveness Program (Eligibility required) Tuition Fee Waivers (Accepted by major Florida colleges/universities) Retirement plan options, including employer contributions Annual and Sick Leave Benefits Flexible Spending Accounts Ongoing comprehensive training provided Career Growth Maternity and Parental Leave Benefits Highly skilled, professional environment