Student - Office Assistant & Peer Counselor, Student Financial Services

Description

This position plays a key role in creating and promoting important financial updates, announcements, and financial wellness workshop information through the Student Financial Services (SFS) and Financial Aid social media accounts. The role also provides essential frontline support by staffing the SFS lobby front desk and assisting with responses to Student Financial Services emails. In addition, this position supports the Falcon Exchange and the Financial Aid Office with various operational and communication needs. 

The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional customer service skills, maintain a high level of professionalism, and communicate clearly and effectively. A strong candidate will also possess basic accounting or mathematical knowledge, demonstrate accuracy and attention to detail, show creativity in outreach efforts, and apply sound critical thinking skills. This position requires strict adherence to confidentiality standards when handling student financial records.

$9.50/hour

Responsibilities

Primary Duties

• Serve as the point of contact for Student Financial Services (SFS), by providing support services via phone, email, and in-person visits. Offer students and parents guidance on billing and related financial inquiries. 
• Act as the primary backup to the SFS Coordinator by providing quality customer services during lunch, absences, and general front desk coverage, including in-person interactions, phone calls, and email communication. 
• Play a key role in developing and executing outreach initiatives and campus announcements through Student Financial Services’ social media platforms, including Falcon Exchange accounts. 
• Create and launch social media campaigns for major events such as Financial Wellness Week, National First-Generation College Day, and with other campus offices. Collaborate with Messiah Press to create campaign materials, including codes, designs, flyers, and artwork. 
• Assist with non-current student billing by managing emails, phone calls, and confidential counseling for students with past-due balances. 
• Provide additional assistance to the Student Financial Services team with Aging Reports for unpaid balances. 
• Provide additional assistance with editing and maintenance of both the Student Financial Services and Falcon Exchange websites. 
• Assist staff with critical operational processes, including the handling of outside scholarship checks, student payment checks, and important student documents from initial receipt through processing by Financial Aid or Falcon Exchange. 
• Maintain consistent, reliable, and punctual attendance. 

Secondary Duties

• Collaborate with the Financial Aid Office to process and log outside scholarship checks, including scanning, indexing, and updating multiple tracking spreadsheets. Ensure exceptional accuracy to maintain correct documentation and student record alignment. 

• Assists in specific projects to promote services offered by Student Financial Services 

• Assist staff with a variety of special projects, as assigned. 

• Prepare mailings for Falcon Exchange, Student Financial Services, and the Financial Aid Office as directed. 

• Partner with SFS and Financial Aid staff to contact students regarding outstanding financial aid requirements. 

• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Education Required

Education Preferred

Experience Required

Experience with Microsoft Office, Excel, Word and Social Media platforms.

Experience Preferred

Experience working with Banner, Oracle or a similar Student Financial computer system. 

Deeper knowledge of Excel. 

Experience/ability in editing webpages and social media

Skills, Characteristics Required

Must be able to strictly maintain financial confidentiality and all other sensitive information. 

Must be versatile in working with variety of people from various populations. 

Must be attentive to details. 

Accuracy is important for this position. 

Must have at least basic accounting or mathematical knowledge. 

Applicant must be professional in their personal demeanor and have excellent customer service skills.

Special Working Conditions

This position will be in the Student Financial Services Office, located in the Kim Phipps Admission Welcome Center on the 3rd floor.

Dress Code Requirements

Business Casual

About Us

Messiah University’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence draws inspiration from its mission “to educate men and women toward maturity of intellect, character and Christian faith in preparation for lives of service, leadership and reconciliation in church and society.” The university has pursued this vision through a strategic planning process that encourages diversity through employee and student composition, campus climate, and an educational program that seeks to equip and enable educators and students to embrace diversity. Candidates should clearly articulate why diversity and inclusive excellence matter to them as persons of faith as well as in their profession. Candidates will speak to how as a potential employee, they will contribute to the advancement of this vision through their teaching-learning, research, institutional service, and public engagement.