MIRACOSTA COLLEGE CLASS TITLE: VETERANS TECHNICIAN BASIC FUNCTION: Under the direction of the Registrar process and certify student applications for Veterans Administration educational benefits in accordance with legal guidelines; prepare and maintain office procedures and guidelines to VA students and staff; monitor student progress and assure timely processing of appropriate documents for the payment of veterans benefits; provide technical assistance and information to students, staff and the public, make referrals to appropriate on-campus services. REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES: 1. Interview students, collect and review applications and other information required to certify student's enrollment status for VA benefits, determine appropriate VA educational program, eligibility, and provide necessary forms. Design and develop procedures, forms, applications, and other VA registration instructions and informative materials for the Registrar's approval. 2. Monitor student's course work to ensure compliance with the Educational Plan, developed by the student and counselor, to avoid under/over payment and institutional liability; process and sign student certifications of enrollment, unit changes, verification of enrollment, and process VA paperwork related to educational benefits. 3. Provide technical assistance and information to students and staff regarding Veterans regulations, college admissions, registration records, testing requirements, matriculation, enrollment, and fees; refer students to other areas of Student Services as appropriate. 4. Instruct students in correct procedures for completion of forms, applications and processes; explain applications, requirements and restrictions; review completed forms for accuracy and completeness. 5. Process VA forms; review and determine eligibility status consult with VA officials and other certifying officials; consult with supervisor for assistance with regulations and procedures and for resolution of complex problems; notify students of need for additional information or documentation. 6. Research and review records for changes in status, request transcripts, records and other information needed to determine prior course work and applicability towards education plan; compute grade point averages and total units, determine appropriate course placement on educational plan, determine possible changes to educational plan and consult with counselors regarding course placement, analyze transcripts, evaluate military transcripts, request further evaluation of records from other staff. Notify students of problems or required changes and refer to others as appropriate. 7. Run periodic and frequent reports of student enrollment changes and final grades, determine need for follow-up, contact students or instructors for further information, process certification adjustments and terminations in a timely manner. 8. Schedule appointments for student with counselors and other staff members; answer MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (E) = Essential job function 1/18/05 VETERANS TECHNICIAN 9. 2 telephones and provide information and assistance as required. Prepare and transmit correspondence for students, verifying VA eligibility, student status and other information; respond to requests from other educational institutions and agencies involving the verification of student status and records. Ensure proper releases are on file to safeguard student privacy. Initiate and compose correspondence as appropriate; type memoranda and a wide variety of materials. 10. Maintain student VA records in accordance with VA regulations, audit records to assure accuracy; use computer to research data, post and clear holds on student records as directed; prepare files for auditors. 11. Collect, compile, verify and record information for the generation of reports for the District, state and federal agencies;. Identify data needs for VA purposes, request queries to be designed for data collection purposes, run queries, report data for administrative and other uses. 12. Initiate student voucher to waive enrollment fees for vocational rehabilitation students. Initiate and maintain a log of vouchers issued to bookstore for Vocational Rehabilitation students. Monitor students' bookstore expenses. Process advance pay requests. Maintain security for and monitor distribution of advance paychecks to students. 13. Plan and organize VA Work Study students' activities. Approve, monitor and sign timesheets for VA Work Study students and resolve payment discrepancies. 14. Perform related duties as assigned. KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: KNOWLEDGE OF: Basic goals and objectives of a college admissions and records office. Modern office practices, procedures and equipment. Recordkeeping techniques. Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary. Applicable sections of VA regulations, State Education Code and other applicable laws. ABILITY TO: Apply and explain laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures regarding student's VA benefits. Perform specialized clerical duties related to admissions and records. Demonstrate effective interpersonal skills using tact, patience and courtesy. Learn, interpret, apply and explain laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures relating to admissions and records. Establish priorities and work effectively with many demands on time. Operate a variety of office equipment including a cash register, computer, and typewriter. Type at 50 words net per minute from clear copy. Make arithmetic calculations quickly and accurately. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Work independently with little direction. Understand and follow oral and written directions. Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Meet schedules and timelines. MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (E) = Essential job function 1/18/05 VETERANS TECHNICIAN 3 Train and provide work direction to hourly employees and students. Maintain records and prepare reports. Work confidentially with discretion. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: Equivalent to: graduation from high school including or supplemented by business-related courses and 2-3 years closely related work experience. LICENSES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS: No Applicable WORK DIRECTION, LEAD AND SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: Student employees and hourly employees as directed. CONTACTS: Coworkers, teachers, public, counselors, VA and State Department of Rehabilitation personnel and other college departments. PHYSICAL EFFORT: Primarily sedentary with intermittent standing, walking, bending or stooping; occasional light lifting and carrying of objects weighing 25 pounds or less; ability to travel and/or drive to a variety of locations on- and off-campus as needed to conduct district business. EMOTIONAL EFFORT Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships involving appropriate interactions and communications personally, by phone and in writing with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and on a regular, ongoing basis. Ability to work effectively under pressure on a variety of tasks concurrently while meeting established deadlines and changing priorities. WORKING CONDITIONS: Primarily busy, indoor office environment; subject to frequent to constant employee, student contact and interruptions by phone and in person; intermittent exposure to angry and/or verbally aggressive individuals; may work during day and/or evening hours on an as-needed basis. MIRACOSTA COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT (E) = Essential job function 1/18/05