Financial Aid Special Programs Coordinator

Financial Aid Special Programs Coordinator 

Priority Application Deadline: February 27, 2026, open until filled 

Anticipated Start Date: March 23, 2026 

DEFINITION:

Under general supervision, performs a variety of technical clerical duties to process applications and coordinate programs for specific student groups; provides specialized secretarial and clerical support to an assigned department supervisor; assists students throughout the financial aid process with terminology and eligibility requirements; provides direct customer service to District administrators, faculty, staff, students and the public; performs other duties as assigned.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES:

• The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in the classification, however, employees may perform other related duties not listed and each employee necessarily performs not all duties listed.
• Responsible for annually identifying and accepting eligible students into the Taft College Promise Program.
• Assist the Taft College Promise Program Counselor with enrollment and retention of Taft College Promise Program students.
• Monitor program progress of all Taft College Promise Program students and provide intervention when needed.
• Ensure completion of all required financial aid paperwork by Taft College Promise students to ensure access to available resources.
• Serve as the main point of contact for students in the Taft College Promise Program.
• Determine eligibly for and administer enrollment fee grants and book grants for Taft College Promise Students.
• Coordinate the Finish Line Scholars Program.
• Coordinate the Taft College Community Scholarship Program
• Coordinate CalFresh outreach, application completion and follow up services for identified eligible students.
• Coordinates guest speakers, and meetings for special programs.
• Responsible for the collection of data needed for annual reporting for all special programs. Assist with outreach and follow-up activities to targeted populations including on and off campus tours.
• Assist with the preparation, ordering and maintenance of inventory of outreach materials.
• Provide clerical support in the Financial Aid & Scholarships department, which includes working the counter when needed, scheduling appointments and referring students to the next step to enroll at Taft College.
• Provide professional information and assistance to students in person, by telephone, email or regular mail in regards to financial aid programs.
• Utilizes computer terminal and performs general clerical duties.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including a copier, scanner, fax machine, computer and assigned software.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

​EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

Minimum Qualifications 

• Associate Degree and 6 months experience working within an educational environment and/or in program coordination and outreach; and
• One (1) year of clerical and/or customer service experience; and
• One (1) year of Excel experience.
• Successful candidate must pass a Department of Justice (DOJ) fingerprint background check and provide proof of freedom from Tuberculosis (TB) via a chest ex-ray or a TB skin test.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability and ethnic backgrounds of community college staff and students; and of staff and students with physical and learning disabilities.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Ability to effectively communicate verbally or in writing Critical thinking skills
• Experience working with Banner
• Bilingual: Spanish/English

Personal:

• Ability and desire to work effectively with students, faculty, staff and the public.
• Show initiative, poise, good judgment and tact.
• Customer service oriented.
• Flexible in assuming other assignments as the need arises.
• Possess the sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, and ethnic background of community college students.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to the financial aid process.
• Clerical and office skills.
• Complex and changing state and federal regulations and procedures, including tax forms.
• Financial aid programs.
• College policies regarding satisfactory academic progress.
• Accounting procedures and programs for balancing accounts, calculating eligibility, maintaining, and reporting financial records.
• Program referral procedures.
• Effective methods of working with the public.
• Effective written and oral skills.
• Basic research and evaluation methods.
• Computer applications such as Word, Excel, e-mail and internet browsers.
• Basic filing methods.
• Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.
• General secretarial skills and techniques.
• Organizational and prioritization skills.
• Accurate recordkeeping operations and guidelines.

Ability to:

• Learn District processes and procedures, rules, laws and regulations.
• Learn financial aid programs and procedures.
• Interpret and explain financial aid processes, rules and eligibility requirements.
• Keep files current, accurate and in order.
• Analyze and comply with requested data, reports and fiscal operations.
• Make presentations to public, parents and students.
• Read and interpret laws, rules and regulations.
• Be efficient, well organized and maintain neatness.
• Work independently with minimal direction.
• Follow guidelines and directions as directed.
• Meet the public, students, and faculty and staff cordially and effectively.
• Provide customer service.
• Enter and retrieve computer information accurately.
• Use a computer database and interpret computer data.
• Communicate with administrators, faculty, staff, students and the public.
• Perform arithmetic calculations with accuracy.
• Communicate effectively orally, in writing, manage time sensitive tasks, and maintain confidentiality.
• Take responsibility and use professional judgment based on established guidelines and procedures.
• Assume responsibility for routine clerical detail.
• Apply knowledge of modern office practices and equipment including expert use of computers for word processing, record management and filing systems.
• Work effectively and demonstrate currency of knowledge with computers and other forms of advanced technology utilized in providing high quality services.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive and accurate files and records; prepare concise and complete reports as required.
• Quickly learn a variety of technological programs,  and use them all on a daily basis.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Assignments are typically 40 hours per week and 12 months per year.
• May require over-time or evening hours throughout the year.
• Generally, work is performed indoors but may involve traveling to complete assignments or for research, workshops, training or meetings.

Physical Requirements:

1. Vision sufficient to read documents and computer terminal displays.
2. Speech and hearing to communicate in person or by telephone.
3. Manual dexterity sufficient to use a variety of office equipment, computer keyboards and to handle paper.
4. Sit for long periods.
5. Ability to lift and carry 25 pounds such as paper and reports.
6. Ability to bend and reach to retrieve and file supplies, equipment and documents.

Reasonable accommodations will be made for candidates and employees with physical disabilities.

Compensation and Benefits:

The hourly range for the position is a Grade 22 on the Classified Salary Schedule, with a range of $27.70-$32.07 per hour. West Kern Community College District offers a comprehensive fringe benefits program that includes District paid medical, dental and vision coverage for all full-time employees and their dependents, as well as a generous paid leave program.  Employees are eligible for membership in the CalPERS or CalSTRS retirement systems. This is a 12-month position.

Application Process:

• Completed application through the Taft College Human Resources website
• Resume
• Cover Letter
• 3 Professional References, including your most current supervisor
• Transcripts for related degrees (unofficial are accepted for the application process)

Environment:

Community college campus serving a diverse student population and with an emphasis on student success.  Work is primarily performed in busy office environment serving students, staff and the public.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY 

The West Kern Community College District is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity . The District is dedicated to a policy of nondiscrimination and, as such, is an equal opportunity employer. Veterans, women, minorities  and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. This employer participates in E-Verify.