Assistant Director, Outreach

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking an Assistant Director, Outreach to join the team. The outreach team wears various hats serving all student populations with financial aid concerns from undergraduate to doctoral candidates. As such, the team is seeking an individual that is collaborative and driven to support students and families.

Interested candidates must possess strong interpersonal skills with a strong preference to effectively interact with diverse audiences. The ability to multi-task and balance the department, outreach and student advisement responsibilities is critical to the success of this position. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual with outstanding communications, critical-thinking, and organizational skills who truly enjoys public interaction.

This position is based on the USC University Park campus, but travel to the Health Sciences Campus is frequently required for meetings, programs/events and to staff financial aid office hours. The role requires out-of-state travel during relevant event seasons.

This position reports to the Associate Director of Outreach and is eligible for overtime. The base work schedule is 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday - Friday. However, during certain times of the year, nights and weekends will be required to meet business needs associated with recruitment, admitted student, and orientation events. This is a Hybrid-fixed position and will require regular on-campus presence.

Some of the responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to the following:

- Conducts in-person and virtual financial aid presentations, workshops and webinars at high schools, community colleges and community-based organizations to guidance counselors, prospective students, and parents - both locally and out of area.

- Conducts in-person and virtual financial aid presentations, workshops, and webinars to continuing students as requested by departments to address relevant and targeted financial aid topics.

- Accompanies admissions counselors representing the financial aid office to recruitment and conversion events nationwide.

- Provides outreach support during student orientations for all student populations and programs.

- Provides consultative services to students and families about the entire financial aid process.

- Assesses need for students requesting additional financial aid resources to determine if additional aid options exist for individual circumstances; reviews student applications for consistency and completeness, verifies accuracy of student and family reported information.

- Exercises independent judgement within established policies and procedures to address student concerns through problem-solving escalated situations.

- Serves as an expert regarding the financial aid and appeal process on departmental or university committees as requested.

- Provides comprehensive advisement, assistance, and solutions to escalated situations.

- Advises students regarding tools to assist with financial planning, budgeting, and managing debt.

- Recommends and develops new approaches to reach students and influence student behavior around submitting financial aid application components needed for file review.

- Serves as liaison to various campus partners to collaboratively find solutions for students in special populations.

- Maintains currency on state and federal regulations related to financial aid and knowledge of university policies and procedures.

Job Qualifications Minimum Education:

- Bachelor's Degree

- Combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education

Minimum Experience:

- 0 - 6 Months

Minimum Field of Expertise:

- Admissions

- Counseling skills

- Academic advisement

Preferred Field of Expertise:

- Knowledge of student financial aid programs and need analysis

Preferred background should also include:

- Student services background with demonstrated analytical skills

- The ability to use independent judgment to make decisions, interpret, and apply a wide range of policies and procedures amid competing priorities

- Previous student counseling experience

Skills: Other:

- Analysis

- Assessment/evaluation

- Communication -- written and oral skills

- Conflict resolution

- Counseling

- Interpersonal skills

- Interpretation of policies/analyses/trends/etc.

- Interviewing

- Knowledge of applicable laws/policies/principles/etc.

- Organization

- Planning

- Problem identification and resolution

- Public speaking/presentations

Skills: Machine:

- Adding Machine

- Calculator

- Computer Network (Department or School)

- Computer Network (University)

- Personal Computer

- Photocopier

- Typewriter

- Word Processor

Supervises: Level:

- May oversee student, temporary and/or casual workers.

In addition, the successful candidate must also demonstrate, through ideas, words and actions, a strong commitment toUSC's Unifying Valuesof integrity, excellence, diversity, equity and inclusion, well-being, open communication and accountability.

The hourly rate range for this position is $24.98- $27.15. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

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