Director, Financial Aid (PC)

Kern Community College District; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 122,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern Community College District is seeking a Director of Financial Aid (PC) at Porterville College. The role leads comprehensive financial aid programs, ensures regulatory compliance, and oversees budgeting and system integration to support student access and success.

Reporting to the Vice President of Student Services, the director will guide staff development, manage data and reports, and collaborate across the college to advance equity and program effectiveness.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and 5+ years in a Financial Aid Office.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations affecting financial aid.
• Lead and direct Financial Aid Office operations and staff development.
• Develop reports and data to support financial aid programs and audits.
• Oversee budgeting, fund management, and system integration for financial aid.
• Collaborate with college leadership to advance student success and equity.

Skills

Oral communication

Written communication

Leadership

Regulatory compliance

Student services

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner

Job description

Director, Financial Aid (PC)

Kern Community College District

Salary: $122,024.45 - $172,417.36 Annually013

Job Type: Management - Classified Administrator

Job Number: FY25-2600375

Location: PC - Main Campus, Porterville, CA

Department: Student Services

Below is our job description for this position.

Basic Function

The Director of Financial Aid develops, implements, and administers comprehensive student financial aid programs at Porterville College and serves as the Financial Aid Administrator of record in accordance with all applicable federal and state regulations and guidelines.

Under the general direction of the Vice President of Student Services, the Director provides strategic and operational leadership to ensure equitable access to financial aid resources that support student recruitment, retention, and completion. The Director is accountable for regulatory compliance, fiscal integrity, and the effective delivery of financial aid programs, while advancing institutional goals related to student success and equity.

Representative Duties

• 1. Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations which impact the administration of financial aid programs, mandates, reporting, and maintenance. Provide directionand clarification when regulations are unclear or appear to be inconflict between federal, state, and/or college policies.
• 2. Participate as a member of student success teams along withother directors and deans. Ensure Financial Aid representationacross the college and share knowledge. Establish strategic goalsfor the unit. Serve as consultant on financial aid issues thatimpact faculty, staff, and students. Provide training and materialsto College staff.
• 3. Lead and direct Financial Aid Office. Supervise in accordancewith college policies and applicable laws including training,evaluation, reward and discipline, and address and resolveproblems. Lead staff meetings, share information, and promotedevelopment of ideas for improvement of service and efficiency.Assist staff in developing professional goals and objectives.Fosters a collaborative, student-centered service culture thatemphasizes teamwork, consistency in processes, and servicedelivery, and continuous improvement; builds leadership capacitywithin the team through mentorship, professional development, andshared accountability.
• 4. Develop and generate statistical data and reports related tovarious programs supervised. Using relevant data, lead development,implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive financial aidprograms that support student populations.
• 5. Interpret and apply complex and evolving financial aidregulations; assess institutional risk and implement correctiveactions as needed to ensure compliance and audit readiness. Oversee fund management and internal controls to ensure compliancewith funding limitations and regulatory requirements; provideleadership in compliance review, communications, systemsevaluation, and fiscal analysis. Ensure the accurate and timely completion of all required federal,state, and institutional reporting, including but not limited toFISAP; implement regulatory updates and procedural changes. Serveas Primary Destination Point Administrator and oversee allelectronic data exchange processes.
• 6. Develop procedures and recommend policies to ensure compliancewith applicable federal, state, and local governing bodies relatedto financial aid and scholarships. Monitor and modify financial aidpackaging in accordance with regulations. Set annual packagingguidelines to be followed during the award year. Direct the Financial Aid Office budget; collaborate with BusinessServices and Information Technology to ensure accurate funddisbursement, system integration, and data integrity. Leadreconciliation processes and represent the College in audits,program reviews, and accreditation activities.
• 7. Lead evaluations, implementation, and continuous improvement oftechnology solutions, including student information systems andemerging tools, to streamline processes, enhance automation, ensuredata integrity, and improve the student experience.
• 8.Provides leadership and oversight of scholarship programs,including coordination of application processes, management ofscholarship systems, eligibility and award determination, oversightof selection workflows, and ensuring compliance with donor intentand regulatory requirements, in collaboration with the FoundationOffice and campus stakeholders.
• 9. Perform other duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and progressively responsible experience in student services, including a minimum of five (5) years in a Financial Aid Office. Strong understanding of regulatory guidelines, proficiency in student information systems (e.g., Banner).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and compliance requirements. Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience, including staff development, performance management, and organizational effectiveness. Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and disability backgrounds of community college students and employees.

Knowledge & Abilities

• Ability to lead and manage financial aid operations in a highly regulated environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret and apply complex regulations.
• Ability to use data to inform decision-making and improve program outcomes.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a leadership team committed to student success.
• Knowledge of budgeting, fiscal management, and fiscal reporting practices.
• Ability to oversee large-scale financial aid programs and funding allocations.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and student-centered service delivery.
• Knowledge of and ability to utilize financial aid systems, student information systems, and emerging technologies to improve efficiency and data integrity.

For all positions, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, shall be considered a core system competency and job requirement. (5 CCR § 53022)