Awards Officer, In-Course and External Awards

Reporting to the Director, Financial Aid, the Student Awards Officer is responsible for the administration of the university’s undergraduate merit-based award programs, and need-based award programs for all current students. This includes upper-year awards, bursaries, convocation awards and the processing of external awards with partner organizations. The Student Awards Officer is accountable for carrying out complex financial aid duties in support of students and in accordance with university policies and/or in compliance with government policies and regulations. The incumbent will act as a representative of the Office of the University Registrar (Financial Aid & Awards) at campus events through various mediums, which may include attendance, presentations, advising, and written communication. The Student Awards Officer also provides financial advising to current and prospective students, and presentations to student and community groups regarding financial aid options while studying at Queen’s University.This position acts as the first point of contact for inquiries on a variety of student financial assistance programs. This position selects and evaluates applications for needs-based bursary and award programs. This position reviews award appeals and prepares recommendations to Appeals Committee. This position prepares a variety of reports for awards and/or needs-based bursaries. This position monitors students’ government financial assistance accounts using the respective portal systems and databases and confirms eligibility requirements are being met. This position also directs, allocates, and supervises the work of other staff.The schedule for this position requires the incumbent to work evenings and weekends.

Job Description

What you will do

• • Acts as the first point of contact for inquiries on a variety of student financial assistance programs.

• • Selects and evaluates applications for needs-based bursary and award programs.

• • Reviews award appeals and prepares recommendations to Appeals Committee.

• • Develops and administers internal guidelines for assessing student eligibility and award retention.

• • Processes award adjustments and ensures compliance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements and other regulations.

• • Records award decisions and facilitates award payments from appropriate funds.

• • Prepares a variety of reports for awards and/or needs-based bursaries.

• • Monitors students’ government financial assistance accounts using the respective portal systems and databases and confirms eligibility requirements are being met.

• • Directs, allocates, and supervises the work of other staff.

• • Conducts presentations on government and/or financial aid opportunities.

• Other duties as required in support of the department and/or unit.

Required Education

• Four-Year Bachelor Degree or equivalent.

Required Experience

• More than 2 years and up to and including 3 years of experience.

Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.Job Knowledge and Requirements

• • Practical and applied knowledge of specialized methods and processes that are typically acquired through a combination of technical or academic qualification and/or work experience.

• • Provide consultation and advice on non-straightforward and/or complex issues.

• • Interaction with others requires interpersonal skills and the ability to understand and influence.

• • Adapt messages to meet the needs of the intended audience.

• • Build relationships, trust and credibility.

• • Manage own work, train and review the work of the team to see commitments through to completion.

• • Sets work priorities and direction, supporting the team in achieving goals and objectives.

• • Participate in project team meetings and develop team project plans.

• • Lead procedural or technological change within a unit.

• • Identify new problems and seek information and input to fully understand the cause of problems.

• • Identify opportunities to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of work processes.

• • Draw logical conclusions and provides opinions and recommendations.

• • Research equity, diversity, accessibility and inclusion resources and best practices relevant to the job and unit operations in order to inform evidence-based planning.

• • Commitment to principles of equity, diversity, accessibility, inclusion, Indigenization and human rights for equity deserving groups.

• • Assess the suitability of job candidates and recommend the most appropriate person for hire.

• Monitor and assess output and the quality of work from team members and recommend need for formal training or development plans to management and identify possible performance and/or disciplinary issues.