SPECIAL PROGRAMS SUPERVISOR Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/4841894) Apply  SPECIAL PROGRAMS SUPERVISOR Salary $77,979.20 - $84,217.54 Annually Location Baton Rouge, LA Job Type Unclassified Remote Employment Flexible/Hybrid Job Number BOR 02212025 NW Department Education-Board of Regents Opening Date 02/21/2025 Closing Date 2/26/2025 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions Supplemental Information Under the administrative arm of the Board of Regents, the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA) administers Louisiana's premier merit-based scholarship program, the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS), Louisiana's need-based component to the state's financial aid plan to support non-traditional and low to moderate-income students called Go Grant, the state's 529 college savings plan called the Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) program, the educational savings plan for K-12 tuition called the START K-12 program, the 529-A savings plan called the Louisiana ABLE program, the Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship program, the Louisiana National Guard Patriot Scholarship program, TOPS Tech Early Start Program for 11th and 12th graders, the John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, the Go Youth ChalleNGe Program, the work force development program that provides financial assistance for students enrolled in one of 5 high demand, high pay industry sectors, called the M. J. Foster program, and scholarships for students enrolled in teacher preparation programs called the Geaux Teach program. LOSFA is extremely active in the dissemination of college access information within the state, with a concentration on assisting students from low-income families and first-generation college attendees in locating and obtaining the resources necessary to pursue and complete postsecondary education. To attain this, LOSFA regularly partners with other entities including the Louisiana Department of Education (LADOE), the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Statewide School Districts, U.S. Department of Education, the Louisiana Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and others. In conjunction with DCFS, LOSFA provides payment processing assistance for the Chafee Education and Training Voucher for students who have aged out of the foster care system and Strategies to Empower People (STEP) to aid government-assisted citizens in obtaining their Adult Education certificate and Vocational Education training. POSITION OVERVIEW: This position is responsible for the administration of the M.J. Foster Promise Program and supervision of the Special Programs Section of the Scholarship & Grant Division. This position will report directly to the Scholarship & Grant Director. The M.J. Foster Promise Program provides financial assistance to eligible students who enroll in a qualified program at a two-year public college or university, or an accredited proprietary school licensed by the Board of Regents to pursue an associate degree, or a shorter-term postsecondary education credential required for certain high-demand, high-wage occupations aligned with Louisiana’s workforce priorities. Programs that are part of the Special Programs include: Go Grant, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, Go Youth ChalleNGe Program, TOPS Tech Early Start, John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, Chafee Education & Training Voucher, BESE Tuition Program for Teachers, STEP/TANF, Regional Contract Program and the LA National Guard Patriot Scholarship. The position is responsible for collaborating with CASC and RBI for dissemination of current program updates. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: + A baccalaureate degree plus two or more years of experience in financial aid experience in a postsecondary/higher education institution. + Supervisory experience preferred. + Exceptional customer service skills and problem-resolution experience. + Strong and effective communication (written and oral) and interpersonal skills. + Interpersonal skills to remain professional and calm in difficult-to-handle situations. + Ability to work independently and within a team environment. + Ability to multitask, work under stringent deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities and needs. + Ability to work with directors and staff in a productive, positive, and professional manner. + Ability to facilitate meetings and present content at conferences. + Strong organizational skills and attention to detail. + High level of computer competency and self-sufficiency. Proficient in Excel. ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES: Essential and other important duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to the following: General Administrative: Research programming anomalies and recommend corrective actions, including submitting TrackIts to correct Award System programming. Test updated programming and recommend additions. Review, research, and determine the validity of non-routine payment requests and enter or request that institutions re-enter payment requests. Review electronic payment requests: update correct payment requests to process status or contact the institution about payments not meeting standards. Analyze Institutional Billing Error Files and determine the entity responsible for correcting errors. Update MJ Foster Promise Award System files as necessary and correct LOSFA correctable errors. Forward recommendations for correction to the Student Financial Aid Administrator (SFAA) for action, including errors for which corrective actions are not identifiable. Request, review, and post MJ Foster Promise Program Manual Grade Reports and Corrected Grade Reports. Evaluate and enter grades from transcripts. Post Award System comments as needed. Review Award System Grade Reports: set to process those meeting standards and contact those schools not meeting standards. Review Grade Report discrepancies. Submit TrackIt to correct payment-processing problems. Forward grade report not meeting criteria to SFAA with recommendations for resolution. Receive from LOSFA Legal MJ Foster Promise approved exceptions, review file, and update the Award System file to ensure the proper status of the student receiving exception. Request clarification correction of anomalies and monitor further processing of record. Assist SFAA in ensuring adherence to MJ Foster Promise rule and policy and report any discrepancies discovered. Review the affidavit of resident application to verify if a dependent or independent student who does not report Louisiana as his true, fixed, and permanent home of residence as Louisiana on the FAFSA meets Louisiana residency requirement. From the analysis of applicable Rules, Federal privacy regulations, and academic practice, propose and develop through program specifications and testing, an automated system for the Award System to provide individual, academic, and financial records for the above program. Facilitate and contribute to various meetings. Provide research and assistance to LOSFA Executive, Legal, Audit, and other LOSFA sections. Financial: Using the Award System Report, prepare MJ Foster Promise Check Requests. Analyze payment Report and compare with student data query to determine if overpayment made and make necessary arrangements with institutions to refund the agency. Receive Notice of Refund Received reports from Fiscal: reconcile with MJ Foster Promise transaction files and enter on Refund screen. Post-award System comments. Analyze payment records and grade records to assess whether a payment was insufficient based on the length of the program and eligibility status. Use LOSFA-developed programs to perform automated processing of payment requests and generation of institutional payment rosters, check requests, and fiscal reports required for mandated accounting and management reports. Coordinate return of funds returned by institutions to appropriate accounts with accounting for individual records. Communication with Clients: Receive, research, and respond by telephone, e-mail, or FAX to inquiries from MJ Foster Promise applicants. Receive, research, and respond by telephone, e-mail, or FAX to inquiries received from MJ Foster Promise eligible institutions concerning eligibility, billing, grades, and renewal issues for both individual student and institution-wide questions. Receive, research, and respond by telephone and e-mail to inquiries by Board of Regents/LOSFA staff in response to questions concerning MJ Foster Promise Program eligibility, billing, grades, and renewal issues for individual students. Prepares a variety of recurring and special reports relating to MJ Foster Promise Program awards and renewal issues in response to requests from other LOSFA sections. Assists SFAA in informing institutions of new policies and procedures. Disseminate critical information instructions to Financial Aid Directors, Scholarship Coordinators, Records, and Registration Directors to ensure that accurate financial and academic information is collected to provide timely and efficient. Supervisory Duties: + Supervises and provides guidance to three SG Special Program Specialists who administer the following programs: Go Grant, Rockefeller State Wildlife Scholarship, Go Youth ChalleNGe Program, TOPS Tech Early Start, John R. Justice Student Loan Repayment Program, Chafee Education & Training Voucher BESE Tuition Program for Teachers, STEP/TANF, Regional Contract Program and the LA National Guard Patriot Scholarship. + Through cross-training, provide additional support to the Special Program Specialists during peak times. + Responsible for the review and approval of leave requested by the Special Program Specialists; complete the annual performance evaluation for each employee in Special Programs. + Communicate with the Scholarship & Grant Director on matters related to the effective operation of the Special Programs section. + Keep Special Program staff apprised of current information regarding the administration of their respective programs. + Review and approve TrackITs for Special Programs staff. + Request input from the SG Scholarship & Grant Director for the effective administration of the Special Programs section. + Provide research and assistance to other LOSFA sections (CASC, Legal, IT/RBI, etc.). + Assist CASC in providing current program information for dissemination to stakeholders. + Collaborate with RBI regarding MJ Foster Promise payments. + Provide up-to-date billing information to RBI for reporting purposes. + Assist in the training and outboarding of new SG employees. + Participate in limited outreach activities and presentations. + Other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the SG Scholarship & Grant Director. HOW TO APPLY: To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Contact Information: Bethany Elam Employee Relations Specialist Bethany.elam@laregents.edu Board of Regentsis a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment resources for individuals with disabilities, see the Louisiana Employment Resources Guide at http://www.laworks.net/Downloads/LRS/EmploymentResourceGuide\_2018.pdf(Download PDF reader) Board of Regents is an Equal Opportunity Employer VACANCY INFORMATION: This is an unclassified position. This position is located in Baton Rouge, LA. Applications will be rejected if the applicant fails to meet the minimum qualifications, submits an incomplete application, or fails to apply by the closing date of the announcement. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application listing complete work experience and education. Please make every effort to attach a copy of your transcript or any other materials as outlined in the posting to your application if possible. In compliance with federal law, all individuals hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form (I-9) upon hire. Benefits for unclassified employees are determined by the individual hiring authority. 01 Do you have a baccalaureate degree? + Yes + No 02 Do you have post-secondary financial aid experience? If so, please list. Required Question Employer State of Louisiana Address For agency contact information, please refer to the supplemental information above. Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802 Phone (866) 783-5462 Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email