ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, STUDENT LOAN PROGRAMS
As an unclassified state title, Associate Director, Student Loan Programs is filled by appointment, and its published pay band is more of a guide than a fixed grade.
The minimum is a bachelor's degree and 5 years of relevant experience. Its salary schedule (frozen at an older rate) lists $66,433 to $93,004, though managerial and exempt titles like this are usually paid individually rather than on the step schedule.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general supervision of the Director, Student Loan Programs, is responsible for the overall administration and supervision of the various loan programs established by the legislature in accord with policies prescribed by the New Jersey Higher Education Assistance Authority. The primary responsibility is the perpetuation of the programs through the solution of problems arising from time to time, and to act with full and complete authority on any issue during the absence of the Director; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Coordinates and evaluates all staff work in meeting overall objectives of the Student Loan Office and Department as a whole.
- Has primary responsibility for fiscal planning and for developing a program of fiscal accountability for the Student Loan Office.
- Develops and maintains rapport with the financial community, i.e. commercial and savings banks, savings and loan associations, and credit unions in order to foster a good working relationship for the continuance of the Student Loan Program.
- Develops and maintains rapport with all post-secondary educational institutions to promote their cooperation and compliance with regulations of the NJHEAA.
- Develops overall personnel policy and administers staffing needs of the Student Loan Office.
- Provides supervision and training to the Assistant Directors and other staff specialists in the office.
- Develops and maintains program to provide information to the public by scheduling and speaking to high school students, parents, counselors and college financial aid officers.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Provides for the proper training of student loan officers throughout the State primarily through seminars at banks or savings and loan associations.
- Directs research on substantive questions, identifying alternative courses of action, and coordinating resource requirements.
- Within the policies of the Department of Higher Education and the regulations of the NJEAA, responsible for program review and qualitative program improvement through evaluation of current program.
- Interprets State and federal legislation for application to Student Loan Program.
- Implements necessary changes to program caused by modification to federal and/or Authority policy.
- Provides for the preparation, design and distribution of a manual of procedures for lending institutions and schools, brochures, applications and note forms which are in keeping with both federal, and State laws and regulations.
- Develops and maintains a good working relationship with the Attorney General's office to provide for the continuous support of all matters require legal attention.
- Develops and maintains a good working relationship with State and federal law enforcement officials.
- May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college with a Bachelor's degree.
Experience
Five years of professional experience in business or education in the area of student financial aid, counseling or professional experience in a financial institution such as a bank or savings and loan association or any combination thereof.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Ability to read, understand and interpret State and federal legislation and regulations.
- Ability to interpret program to the financial and educational communities in such a way as to effectively promote active participation in the program.
- Ability to speak to various groups on different levels about the program benefits and procedures, i.e. school personnel, students, lenders and the public at large.
- Ability to communicate orally and in written form with concerned parties, i.e. students, parents, lawyers, school and college officials, bank officials, State and federal government officials.
- Ability to oversee enforcement of personnel policies and general supervision of employees so as to achieve maximum performance.
- Ability to encourage employees to improve skills and abilities, including the recommendation of educational programs, in order to assist them in developing their full potential.
- Ability to manage the overall operation of the Student Loan Office so as to achieve maximum efficiency.
- Knowledge of the various types of educational institutions and their accrediting bodies.
- Knowledge of the various types of financial institutions and their regulatory bodies.
- Knowledge of State and federal budgeting process.
- Ability to conduct research on substantive questions and to recommend policy changes.
- Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
- Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
- Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.