Job Description

First line of contact to counsel and advise military affiliated students and families on application procedures for VA benefits, TN Strong Act, tuition assistance, benefits certification and financial information. This role serves as the School Certifying Official for VA education benefits. Assists in the development, implementation, and administration of events in the Office of Veterans Benefits Administration. Represents the University and the Veterans Success Center / Veterans Benefits Office at scheduled events on and off campus to provide guidance on VA education benefits or benefits process. Assists military affiliated students and families with financial issues and makes recommendations in each situation. This position will report directly to the Office of Veterans Benefits Administration which operates within the Division of Student Success.

Certification of VA Education Benefits & TN Strong Act:

• Coordinates the daily operations of veteran records and carries out the benefits certifications process efficiently, and with low error margin for over 1800 students.
• The benefits certification process includes: tracking degree requirements for veteran students using DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System), certification of VA education benefits and TN Strong Act, reporting changes to certifications, following all legislation for submitting and maintaining certifications, keeping accurate detailed records of certifications and other procedures as they relate to the benefits certification process
• Ensuring accuracy for compliance for VA reporting procedures.
• Develops and Maintains spreadsheets of certifications for accuracy and record keeping.
• Implements best practices for certification procedures that are related to academic, and financial records, catalog, and curriculum.
• Counsels military affiliated students and families on use of veterans education benefits, TN Strong Act and Tuition Assistance.
• Works collaboratively with other offices on campus such as the Veterans Success Center, Bursar's Office, Office of the University Registrar, and other offices in the Division of Student Success.
• Works with students to resolve issues with benefits or financial issues.
• Tracks and certifies all aspects of TN Strong Act and maintain accurate records of TN Strong Act packets and payments.

Operations:

• Assists with supervision of student workers in the Office of Veterans Benefits and Veterans Success Center.
• Assists with the development of programs for the Office of Veterans Benefits Administration
• Works with data to analyze and interpret student veteran graduation and retention.
• With the direct consultation of the VBA Manager or Director and prepares and makes recommendations to Director or Manager on various day-to-day operations.
• Manages the daily influx of emails and phone calls to the VBA email box and main message center.

Other administrative duties as assigned by Director or VBA Manager.

Required Qualifications

Education

• High School Diploma

Experience

• 1-2 years of experience in a higher education setting.
• 1-2 years of experience working with veteran student population or working as a VA school certifying official.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Time Management skills are a must
• Ability to establish relationships with prospective students and families
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Customer service skills- maintain confidentiality with the ability to understand needs of student veteran population and recognize and respond to students with TSD, traumatic brain injury (TBI), mental or physical disabilities or impairments.
• Ability to gather and analyze data and make appropriate conclusion and recommendations.
• Ability to maintain high attention to detail and meet deadlines
• Proficient knowledge with BANNER, DARS, OFFICE 365, and familiarity with VA benefits and legislation.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.

Preferred Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree

Experience

• 3-5 years of experience working with veterans and families using VA education benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• High attention to detail

Work Location

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite

Compensation and Benefits

• UT market range: MR06
• Anticipated hiring range: $42,000 - $49,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!