Veterans School Certifying Official and Funding Navigator

Help students unlock the funding they need to succeed. As BTC's Veterans School Certifying Official and Funding Navigator, you'll guide diverse learners, including veterans and youth who qualify for the Passport to Careers program through complex aid programs while ensuring compliance and care at every step. This is a chance to make a direct impact on student access, persistence, and completion.

Salary:

$5528 per month Under general direction, the Funding Navigator assists incoming and current Bellingham Technical College (BTC) students gain access to financial aid and navigate specialized funding programs such as U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) education benefits. This position will serve as the School Certifying Official for DVA education benefits and will also serve as the lead for emergency funding. The position reports to the Executive Director of Student Financial Resources and collaborates closely with the Student Financial Resources team. Enroll and maintain certification as a DVA School Certifying Official (SCO) for reporting enrollment verifications to the DVA each quarter and as enrollments change. Participate in SCO and related trainings to ensure understanding of and compliance with federal benefits guidelines and policies Serve as a point of contact to provide financial advising and support for students eligible to receive DVA education benefits; file required military education benefits paperwork with appropriate state and federal offices; create and maintain student education files in accordance with DVA requirements and rapidly evolving federal regulations; organize and prepare files for state and federal audits and file reviews; maintain BTC's Veteran Lounge space as a safe and welcoming space for veteran students. Serve at the Designated Support Staff (DSS) for Passport to Careers students. Collaborate with financial aid staff to develop awarding strategies and provide timely student-centered communications. Assist students in applying for and receiving emergency assistance through the Supporting Students Experiencing Homelessness (SSEH) and Student Emergency Assistance Grant (SEAG) Complete required administrative duties for SSEH and SEAG programs including accurate student group coding and submission of quarterly reports to the State Board. Support students in developing funding plans that align with their academic plans, with the goal of increasing retention and completion of special population, including low-income, first-generation students, and dislocated workers; serve as a point of contact to provide financial advising Receive and review application materials for the Washington State Waiver for Children/Spouse of Totally Disabled or Deceased Eligible Veterans or National Guard Members; maintain up-to-date records on waiver recipients; process waiver quarterly and review waiver eligibility annually Provide excellent customer service to students, prospective students, campus partners, and community organizations Collect, report, and utilize data to direct program development Utilize MS Office, financial aid, student tracking, and other system software accurately and effectively Perform duties as assigned

Required Skills/Abilities:

Excellent customer service skills for internal users and collaboration with external partners with a wide range of individuals Proficient in writing documentation, either independently or using collaborative tools Adapt readily to new challenges, processes and job responsibilities Possess strong analytic and problem-solving capabilities Display integrity and act with discretion by accessing individual or institutional information for a stated business purpose Ability to complete local and state travel as required. Work independently and on a flexible schedule Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines Ability to function well in a high-paced and at times stressful environment Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software Proficient in project management

Minimum Qualifications:

Successful completion of a Washington State background check Associate's degree from an accredited institution At least two years of recent professional experience providing direct service supporting diverse populations in roles such as in counseling, case management, and/or academic/career/financial advising OR Combination of a experience and training that provides the applicant with the knowledge and skills to perform the job will be considered

Preferred Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in education, counseling, social work, human services, or a related field Ability to use Microsoft Office and other software platforms effectively Experience as a school certifying official Experience working with U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs education and disability benefits and/or working with government agencies Military veteran, dependent or experience working with veteran populations Proven experience maintaining compliance with complex regulations Demonstrated ability to independently facilitate program operations exercising sound judgement and initiative Working knowledge of student funding programs such as Federal and State financial aid, grants and/or financial literacy

Physical Work Environment:

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer with frequent interruptions. Varying from 4-7 hours per day Must be able to lift up to 20 pounds at times.

Compensation, Work Schedule and Benefits:

Salary:

$5528 per month Work schedule: Generally, the schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Candidate must be willing to work on-site for all of their schedule.

Benefits:

Leave benefits: 8 hours of sick leave per month 16 hours of vacation leave per month 24 hours of personal leave per calendar year 13 paid state/college holidays per calendar year Benefits also include a Washington State insurance package including selecting one of: 6 medical options 3 dental plan options 3 vision plan options

Include:

life insurance long-term disability Retirement benefits package including one of: TIAA Stare Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 3 Two voluntary investment (not matched) programs TIAA (403b) State Deferred Compensation (457) plan Additional optional benefits include ability to participate in: Medical Flexible Spending plan Limited Purpose Flexible Spending plan Health Savings Account Dependent Care Assistance Discounts for automobile and homeowner insurance Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Up to 21 days of military leave Up to 5 days of paid bereavement leave Paid civil/jury duty Bereavement leave Ability to participate in a shared leave program

Application Procedures and Deadline:

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online at www.btc.edu/jobs and received by 5 p.m. on May 1, 2026, for priority consideration. Application materials received after this date and time may be considered until the position is filled. More information about Bellingham Technical College is at www.btc.edu or contact the Human Resources Office at (360) 752-8354. At this time, BTC is not sponsoring H-1B Visas.

Required Online Application Materials:

(Attachments in Word or PDF file only) Complete the BTC online Application Cover letter addressing the required and preferred qualifications Successful candidate will need to complete a background check Interviews are tentatively scheduled for May 13-15, 2026