Veterans Support Services Manager

University of Wisconsin-Parkside

The University of Wisconsin-Parkside invites applications for the position of Veterans Support Services Manager.

The Veterans Support Services Manager serves as the primary point of contact, advocate, and resource for prospective and current veterans, active duty military personnel, and military dependents seeking educational attainment at UW-Parkside. The manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Military & Veteran Success Center and serves as the Veterans Benefits Certifying Officer for the institution. The manager guides and supports military service members and veteran students by providing resources and programs that focus on the transition to college, academic planning and support, state and federal benefits programs, and personal development and well-being. Additionally, the manager will chair an advisory committee comprised of faculty and staff from across campus. The manager leads efforts related to strategic planning and program assessment, policy development and interpretation, faculty/staff trainings, budget management, and compliance monitoring.

The Veterans Support Services Manager will report to the Vice Provost for Student Affairs & Enrollment Services. Some nights and weekend work may be required.

 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Military & Veteran Success Center

• Serve as primary point of contact for all student veterans on campus. Act as a support specialist and advocate for students navigating campus offices, services, policies and procedures.
• Work closely with the Office of Admissions & New Student Services and the Registrar’s Office to support student veteran applicants.
• Evaluate relevant documents to determine residency for tuition purposes for student veterans or their dependents in accordance with the federal Veterans’ Choice Act and Wisconsin Statute 36.27 (2) (br).
• Maintain compliance with Wisconsin Priority Registration Law by reviewing relevant documents and granting priority registration when appropriate.
• Plan and monitor the day-to-day running of the Military & Veteran Success Center to ensure smooth operations. Exercise discretion and independent judgment with respect to program development and direction, staff supervision and training, budget management, and Center operations.
• Recruit, hire, train, and schedule Veteran Student Work-Study assistants and other student volunteers and assistants. Serve as the primary point person for HR processing – hiring documentation, time sheet approvals, and performance evaluations.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive web of support systems and programs for veteran students. Assess MVSC programs and offerings and make adjustments as necessary to improve student success.
• Work with the student veterans registered student organization to support programming, social events, leadership opportunities, and conference participation.

Benefits Certification and Compliance Reporting

• Serve as the institution’s Veterans Benefits Certifying Officer for all federal and state VA benefits.
• Process, review, and verify student certifications for accuracy, including certification of enrollment, changes to enrollment, academic progress, course and degree completion as well as the correct calculation of tuition and fee amounts
• Upload and maintain data for UW System reporting of Post 9/11 Benefits and the Wisconsin GI Bill to ensure appropriate campus reimbursement of funds from the Higher Education Aids Board (HEAB).
• Counsel student veterans and dependents using VA benefits so that they may maximize their benefits and maintain eligibility.
• Manage federal and state Tuition Assistance programs for active-duty service members to include GoArmyEd, Air Force, Navy/Marine/Coast Guard and Wisconsin National Guard. Report progress and work closely with Bursars’ Office to ensure accurate invoicing.
• Work with the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid to ensure state VA benefits are included in financial aid packaging. Research and resolve underpayment/overpayment issues between the VA and the Bursars’ Office.
• Responsible for monitoring and complying with all program requirements at the university, UW System, state and federal levels. Serve as the institutional point-person for UW System meetings, reports, and audits related to veterans’ services.
• Work with Campus Technology Services and Registrar’s Office to appropriately code veteran students in the student information system and develop/generate necessary queries and reports for university, UW System, state and federal entities.

Training and Collaboration

• Identify, develop, and promote training opportunities for Faculty and Staff related to the unique characteristics and needs of veteran students.
• Chair an advisory committee comprised of faculty and staff.
• Serve as a conduit between veteran students and veterans resources in the community.
• Maintain the Veterans Services webpages and work with Marketing Communications related to publications, marketing materials, and branding of the MVSC.

Professional Development and Divisional Responsibilities

• Engage in professional development opportunities through current research, literature, state meetings, and conferences.
• Serve as a member of the Student Affairs & Enrollment Services Leadership Team, attending meetings, collaborating on student life and student success initiatives, and contributing to strategic planning discussions.
• Serve as a designated Campus Security Authority (CSA) for Clery compliance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE

• Overall thoroughness, organization, accuracy of record keeping.
• Adequacy, timeliness, and accuracy related to benefits certification processes.
• Timeliness of meeting goals.
• Willingness to make suggestions and soundness of those suggestions.
• Soundness of judgment and operational decisions.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work while being responsive to University personnel.
• Timely and effective communication of problems and opportunities. This includes the responsibility for identifying and communicating information of importance as soon as possible.
• Integrity in dealing with customers, students, vendors, employees, and management.
• Punctuality, attendance, effective use of time, and willingness to work overtime when necessary.
• Maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Willingness to assist with special projects and other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

• Demonstrated knowledge of emerging trends in support of student veterans, active duty military members, and military dependents
• Knowledge of military agencies, resources, and processes that must be followed
• Knowledge of issues facing veteran students
• Ability to create, adapt and advocate for process and policy needs which best serve veteran students
• Ability to work independently, handle time-sensitive matters, and uphold confidentiality
• Strong in organizational skills, verbal and written communication skills, time management, and team-building skills
• Ability to work in a diverse campus community and promote inclusivity in all programs and service provided
• Ability to work in a fast paced, compliance driven environment with a high degree of accuracy
• Experience interpreting and communicating campus policies, and federal and state regulations
• Experience in budget management, staff supervision, grant proposal writing, and policy development and implementation

QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Experience, Training And/or Certifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum of 2 years working experience in higher education or with veterans services
• Demonstrated knowledge of military service and veteran transition issues or a minimum of 1 year of active duty military service
• Experience processing federal and state veteran benefits

Preferred

• Master’s degree
• Minimum of 5 years working experience in higher education with progressive leadership responsibility
• Professional experience working with veteran and/or non-traditional student population

SALARY AND BENEFITS

Commensurate with qualifications and experience.

The University of Wisconsin System provides a liberal benefits package, including participation in a state pension plan. 

Benefit Details: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/summaries/fasl.pdf 

Total Compensation Estimator: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/totalcomp/

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS

Applications received by Sunday, September 23rd, 2018, are ensured full consideration. Position is open until filled.

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

HOW TO APPLY:

All applications are to be submitted electronically through our employment portal.

STEP 1: Please select the applicable link below:

External Applicants: https://www.careers.wisconsin.edu (NOT currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System)

Internal Applicants:https://www.hrs.wisconsin.edu (Currently employed by the University of Wisconsin System)

STEP 2: Under "Basic Job Search" choose:

"More Options"

Job Opening ID: “14694”

"Search"

Select "Veterans Support Services Manager"

Click "Apply"

You must login before you can apply. Input your "User Name" and "Password" and select "Login"

If you have not yet registered, click "Register Now" to begin the registration process

STEP 3: Submit application materials

Please be sure to complete all required fields and include all required documents before submitting your application. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit or attach any application materials. Files must be complete to be considered. Please include the following documents:

• Cover letter addressing qualifications
• CV/Resume
• Names and contact information for three professional references

You must select "SUBMIT". Selecting "Save" will not forward your application materials to the search committee.

Please be sure to complete all required fields and include all required documents before submitting your application. Once submitted, you will not be able to edit or attach any application materials.

In instances where the Review Committee is unable to ascertain from a candidates application materials whether she/he meets all of the required qualifications, or if all of the application materials are not submitted, they will be evaluated as not meeting such qualifications and may be excluded from further consideration.

LEGAL NOTICES

Employment will require a criminal background check in accordance with the Wisconsin Fair Employment Act. 

Note: Criminal Background Check - The Department of Workforce Development, Equal Rights Division prohibits employers from using criminal background check information, policies or practices that have a “disparate impact” and is not “job-related and consistent with business necessity” in hiring decisions. All information used to screen or hire job applicants should relate to the duties of the job.

UW-Parkside is an AA/EEO employer:  All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, or protected veteran status. Individuals from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

It is the policy of UW-Parkside to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or accommodation in applying because of a disability, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 262-595-2204. Employment opportunities will not be denied because of the need to make reasonable accommodations for a qualified individual's disability.

In compliance with the Clery Act of 1998, the University of Wisconsin Parkside Crime Statistics Report is available at https://www.uwp.edu/live/offices/universitypolice/crimestats.cfm. Call the UW-Parkside Campus Police Office at (262) 595-2455 for a paper copy of the annual report.

THE UNIVERSITY

UW-Parkside is a regional comprehensive university that is committed to accessibility, academic excellence, student success, diversity, and community engagement. This beautiful campus is on 700 acres of woodland & prairie in the heart of the Milwaukee/Chicago corridor, between Racine and Kenosha and near Lake Michigan. The university enrolls approximately 5,000 students, many of whom are first- generation and nontraditional students. UW-Parkside benefits from the diversity of the communities it services in Kenosha, Racine, and Walworth Counties. Kenosha and Racine are small cities that offer tranquility and convenience. The myriad attractions of Milwaukee and Chicago are easily accessible, as is the solitude of the country. UW-Parkside is strongly committed to creating and maintaining a multicultural, pluralistic campus environment.

The tri-county region that comprises the University’s primary service area is home to an impressive array of businesses. There are more than 10,000 small businesses in the region, as well as a large number of globally-recognized employers. The college, through its active, engaged Advisory Board, enjoys a close relationship with many of these businesses. For further information regarding the University and community, please see our website at www.uwp.edu

Contact Information

If you have application questions or need accommodations call or email: