Project Specialist (Veterans Services)

Project Specialist (SC - Veterans Office)

Short-Term

Non-Bargaining Unit

Summary Description :

The Project Specialist will support a variety of specialized assignments within the Veterans Office at Saddleback College. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of federal and state veterans’ education benefit programs and experience working with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Defense (DoD), and related state agencies. This role focuses on improving internal compliance procedures, enhancing student engagement, and supporting the administration of veteran-specific services during the summer term.

Representative Duties :

• VA Certification and Compliance:

• Utilize the VA’s Enrollment Manager (EM) to develop and implement reconciliation procedures that ensure timely and accurate student certifications.

• Coordinate Banner updates and ensure proper student coding in MySite to support compliance and reporting requirements.

• Student Support and Benefit Coordination:

• Assist veterans and their family members with complex inquiries regarding admissions, residency, registration, and the coordination of VA education benefits alongside programs such as the CalVET Fee Waiver and California College Promise Program.

• Training and Documentation:

• Update internal training manuals to align with current Banner processes and benefit eligibility for Ch. 31 (Veteran Readiness and Employment), Ch. 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill®), Ch. 35 (Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance), and CalVET programs.

• Train and supervise VA work-study students on updated processes to ensure consistent, accurate service delivery.

• Event Planning and Community Engagement:

• Coordinate and execute VETS Center events by collaborating with campus departments, veteran service organizations, and external partners.

• Oversee logistics such as scheduling, promotion, resource acquisition, and alignment with Veterans Office objectives.

• Military-Affiliated Student Intake and Tracking:

• Develop intake procedures for newly identified military-affiliated students.

• Collect and verify qualifying documents, update student records in MySite - Banner, and upload documentation into Perceptive Content (Imaging System) for audit and compliance tracking.

• DoD Systems Management:

• Establish procedures to review and update institutional data in the Department of Defense Academic Institution (AI) Portal and Navy College Management Information System (NCMIS).

• Process and submit military tuition assistance requests, including course and grade reporting via the appropriate DoD systems.

• Maintain and update college catalog content in the AI Portal to ensure compliance with federal military education regulations.

• Perform related duties and other responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of :

• VA educational programs, MySite/Banner systems, and DoD portals.
• Familiarity with military and veteran student populations.

Ability to :

• Demonstrate strong organizational and communication skills.
• Work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic environment.
• Manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and priorities in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Identify and resolve issues related to certifications, student support, and compliance.
• Think creatively to improve processes or address challenges that arise.
• Work with a diverse student population and provide superior customer service to veterans, military families, and other stakeholders.
• Report to work on a regular and consistent basis, as scheduled, to the assigned job.
• Attend and participate in all scheduled staff meetings and trainings.

Preferred Qualifications :

Experience working with VA educational programs, MySite/Banner systems, and DoD portal.

Work Schedule: TBD - Schedule and shift vary and are subject to change in accordance with the department's needs.

Hours per Week: Up to 25

Employment Conditions and Information:

This is a short-term, temporary, hourly Non-Bargaining Unit (NBU) assignment, not to exceed 160 days and 960 hours per fiscal year (July 1 st through June 30 th ). Short-term, temporary NBU positions may only be used on an intermittent, seasonal, or project basis. Education Code Section 88003 states "Short-term employee means any person who is employed to perform a service for the district, upon the completion of which, the service required or similar services will not be extended or needed on a continuing basis.”

After successful completion of the onboarding requirements, an individual may be employed by the South Orange County Community College District (SOCCCD) as a short-term, temporary NBU employee. Employment will be on an “if and as needed” basis, as determined by the SOCCCD. The assignment may be shortened or extended at any time, due to departmental needs, with little to no notice. NBU employment is at-will, and either party may terminate this working relationship at any time. Neither party shall be required to provide any reason for the separation. NBU employees shall not have reemployment rights or recourse to petition to be reinstated.

NBU employees are limited to working in a single position for a single department and site (assignments are onsite only).

NBU employees are paid on a monthly basis. The payroll reporting period is from the 15 th of the first month to the 14 th of the second month. NBU employees are paid on the 10th of the third month.

Example : For the following reporting period: September 15 th through October 14 th , the NBU employee will be paid on November 10 th .

NBU employees who work more than 1000 hours per fiscal year are required to contribute to the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS), through payroll deduction. The SOCCCD does not intend to employ NBU employees for more than 960 hours during any fiscal year.

Closing Date/Time: Mon, 30 Jun 2025

• 

• South Orange County Community College District

• 949.582.4850

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