Financial Aid Advisor x2

Financial Aid Office
Job #543861
First Review Date: Thursday, March 27, 2025

Open Until Filled

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Finding a better future is a task for the bold and open, the down-to-earth and visionary. Cal Poly Humboldt strives to cultivate these qualities in leaders, innovators, and scholars in every field.

(Job #543861) Student Services Professional I-A, Financial Aid Advisor, Salary Range: $4,150 - $5,076 monthly. Hiring Range: $4,150 – $4,358 monthly. This is a full-time, benefited, non-exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position with a one-year probationary period in the Financial Aid Office. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

Under lead oversight of the Coordinator of Student Services, the Financial Aid Advisor provides quality customer service, advising and assistance to students, parents, staff, faculty and community members about a wide variety of general University policies and requirements and about complex financial aid programs specifically. Often functions as the first University contact with individuals interested in attending Cal Poly Humboldt, refers for attention and service as appropriate. The Financial Aid Advisor also performs a number of general clerical and administrative duties in support of Financial Aid Office functions and tracks incoming documents through the use of imaging and workflow technology.

Key Responsibilities:

Student Services – 35%

• Provides supportive initial in-person and phone services to students and parents and serving as a liaison between clients and Financial aid counselors.
• Explains procedures for students and parents appropriately.
• Screens client questions for referral to counselors
• Records file notes of contacts to the student’s record, thereby leaving a clear and understandable record of these contacts.
• Provides general information regarding student loan rights and responsibilities, loan entrance counseling and exit counseling obligations, including basic information about repayment, deferment and forbearance options, referring students to applicable websites for information and assistance, and to loan servicers as appropriate.
• Employs general knowledge of external university functions in assisting students with various activities such as registration, housing payments, degree checks, etc., associated with receipt of financial assistance.
• Acts as initial contact person to off-campus agencies seeking student information, while adhering to strict confidentiality requirements.

Document Tracking – 30%

• Develops an ability to work with students in finding the resources they need to succeed.

Financial Aid Eligibility – 30%

• Reviews incoming documents for completeness and compliance with requirements.
• Utilizes StudentForms workflow to forward documents to appropriate counselor

Other Duties as Assigned – 5%

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Associated with this Position Include:

• Working knowledge of the basic principles of individual and group behavior.
• Working knowledge of research and observation techniques for the purpose of recording, classifying, and interpreting factual information.
• Working knowledge of the techniques and methods of interviewing.
• Ability to gather and analyze data.
• Ability to reason logically, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to participate in and contribute to group meetings, conferences and interviews.
• Ability to clearly express ideas and recommendations orally.
• Ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with students, staff and faculty.
• An understanding of the dynamics of diversity in higher education and a demonstrated ability to incorporate this understanding, as appropriate, in all levels of your work

Minimum Qualifications:

• Equivalent to graduation from a four-year college or university in one of the behavioral sciences, public or business administration or a job-related field. Specialized experience during which the applicant has acquired and successfully applied the knowledge and abilities below above may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications:

• None

Application Procedure: To apply, qualified candidates must electronically submit the following materials by clicking the Apply Now button:

• Letter of Interest
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Contact information for at least three professional references

Application Deadline: The deadline to submit application materials for first review on Thursday, March 27, 2025. This position is open until filled.

Any inquiries about this recruitment can be directed to careers@humboldt.edu or Cal Poly Humboldt’s Human Resources Office at (707) 826-3626.

We acknowledge that Cal Poly Humboldt is located on the unceded lands of the Wiyot people, where they have resided from time immemorial. We encourage all to gain a deeper understanding of their history and thriving culture. As an expression of our gratitude we are genuinely committed to developing trusting, reciprocal, and long lasting partnerships with the Wiyot people as well as all of our neighboring tribes. Cal Poly Humboldt was the first campus in the California State University system to offer a stand-alone major in Native American Studies.

Cal Poly Humboldt is committed to enriching its educational environment and its culture through the diversity of its staff, faculty, and administration. Persons with interest and experience in helping organizations set and achieve goals relative to diversity and inclusion are especially encouraged to apply.

Working in the state of California is a condition of employment for this position. Even if part or all of an employee's assignment can be performed remotely, the employee must maintain a permanent residence in the state of California. The employee must be able to accept on-campus work assignment, as assigned, and come to campus when needed.

CSU strongly recommends that all individuals who access any in-person program or activity (on- or off-campus) operated or controlled by the University follow COVID-19 vaccine recommendations adopted by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) applicable to their age, medical condition, and other relevant indications and comply with other safety measure established by each campus. The systemwide policy can be found at CSU Vaccination Policy and any questions you have may be submitted to hr@humboldt.edu.

Cal Poly Humboldt hires only individuals lawfully authorized to work in the United States. This position may be considered a “Campus Security Authority”, pursuant to the Clery Act, and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1107 a condition of employment.

CAL POLY HUMBOLDT IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS (e.g. H1-B VISAS)

Evidence of required degree(s), certification(s), or license(s) is required prior to the appointment date. Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check, employment verification, and education verification) is required for employment. Cal Poly Humboldt will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or if it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information.  Certain positions may also require a credit check, motor vehicle report, and/or fingerprinting through Live Scan service. Failure to satisfactorily complete or adverse findings from a background check may affect the employment status of candidates or continued employment of current CSU employees who are being considered for the position.

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, the Cal Poly Humboldt provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly Humboldt complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.  Cal Poly Humboldt is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly Humboldt, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Mandated Reporting: This position may be considered a “mandated reporter” under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Additionally, all CSU staff and faculty receive training annually on their obligations in responding to and reporting incidents of sexual harassment and sexual violence. You will be notified by email when you are required to take this mandated training.

Class Code: 3079
Publication Date: March 13, 2025