Director, Veterans Resource Center

Pasadena City College; Pasadena (CA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pasadena City College seeks a seasoned administrator to lead the Veterans Resource Center (VRC) under the Dean of Student Wellness and Support Services. The role ensures VA compliance, coordinates reporting, and directs veteran-centered services for students and dependents.

Responsibilities include staffing, budgeting, program development, and collaboration with campus offices to maximize benefits, housing, mental health, and work-rehabilitation support for military-affiliated students.

Qualifications

• Requires Master’s degree or higher and related experience in military educational services.
• Experience analyzing departmental performance and developing reports.
• Knowledge of federal/state regulations governing veterans and dependents.
• Ability to manage budgets and supervise staff.

Responsibilities

• Directs day-to-day operations of the Veterans Resource Center (VRC).
• Ensures mandated reports are submitted to VA and other bodies.
• Organizes veteran-centered services and events for students.
• Pursues funding opportunities for VRC initiatives.
• Collaborates with other offices to deliver services to veteran students.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

FERPA knowledge

Budget monitoring

Staff supervision

Communication

Education

Master’s degree

One year of military education services experience

Tools

ERP software

Timekeeping software

Office software

Job description

Under the direction of the Dean, Student Wellness and Support Services, this position performs duties that ensure that the District’s Veterans Resource Center (VRC) complies with the policies and regulations of the U.S Department of Veteran’s Affairs (the VA), which governs the educational benefits provided to veterans of the U.S Military. The position will be responsible for directing the day-to-day operations of the VRC, ensuring that mandated reports are submitted, conducting veteran orientation sessions, and organizing veteran-centered services. In addition, the position seeks funding opportunities for the VRC in the areas of, but not limited to, social services, mental health, housing, and work rehabilitation.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES:

1. Implements departmental policy changes, policy modifications, special assignments, goals, action plans, objectives to ensure that the center is operating in compliance with federal regulations and state statutes that govern the educational services provided to veterans of the U.S Military and their dependents.
2. Analyze employee performance to develop performance evaluations and address performance issues.
3. Participates in the District’s recruitment process to assist the supervising manager in hiring classified and unclassified staff.
4. Apportions work amongst subordinate staff.
5. Engages in employee discipline.
6. Approves paid time off for all employees under supervision.
7. Completes assessment of departmental services and programs to assist the supervising manager develop short/long term goals, and ensure that the department continues to provide services that meet the needs of veteran, military-affiliated students, and their dependents.
8. Completes federal, state, county, and District reports for the area under responsibility.
9. Monitors area budget to assist the supervising manager in tracking, developing, and administering the departmental budget.
10. Ensures compliance with grant guidelines to ensure that grant outcomes are met.
11. Develop a reporting system to provide statistical and financial data to District administration and outside agencies related to Veteran Services.
12. Ensures that eligible and potential students are informed about their benefits, new and existing laws, and veterans’ services available to them through proactive communication; monitors the intake and assessment of needed veterans’ services for appropriate referrals.
13. Organizes veteran-related events, services, and activities to provide support services to the District’s veteran student population in terms of, but not limited to, mental health, temporary housing options for veterans, meal vouchers, career workshops, and additional financial aid.
14. Locates funding sources to support Veteran Resource Center initiatives.
15. Organizes the VA Student Work-Study Allowance program to ensure that the District complies with federal and state rules, regulations, and guidelines that govern the program.
16. Ensures collaboration with other offices regarding the effective and efficient delivery of services to veterans and military-affiliated students.
17. Evaluates the enrollment status of students receiving VA Benefits to ensure that the District makes appropriate payment disbursements, adjustments, and reports information to the VA.
18. Ensures timely submittal of the District’s college catalog and requested information about the District’s degree and certificate programs to the VA to have an annual determination of which programs are eligible for VA benefits.
19. Organizes visits from the VA Education Compliance Survey Specialists to ensure that auditors access all required information and necessary campus areas.
20. Analyzes data related to veteran and active military student enrollment, credit assessment, graduation, retention, and alumni information to prepare administrative reports on the utilization and effectiveness of the support services offered through the Veterans Resource Center.
21. Performs related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A Master’s degree, or higher.
2. One (1) year of experience, or formal training related to military educational services

Preferred:

• Two (2) years of experience, or formal training related to military educational services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

May be representative, but not all-inclusive, of those knowledge, skills and abilities commonly associated with this position.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

1. Federal and state regulations, requirements, and procedural guidelines about veteran or military-affiliated students and their dependents
2. Federal and state regulations, requirements, and procedural guidelines about mandated reporting requirements for veteran or military-affiliated students and their dependents
3. Federal, state, and local programs that provide services for veterans and military-affiliated individuals
4. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
5. District Policies
6. Collective bargaining agreements
7. Student learning outcomes (SLOs) & Program Review
8. Enterprise resource planning software
9. Timekeeping software
10. General office software and equipment

SKILL TO:

1. Apply knowledge of state and federal regulations that govern the educational benefits of veterans and their dependents to ensure compliance with regulations, the VA Student Work-Study Program, ensure timely submittal of reports and required information to the VA, retain required documentation as requested by the VA, and provide accurate information to students of the VRC
2. Apply knowledge of FERPA to ensure the security of student records
3. Apply knowledge of federal and state regulations, requirements, and guidelines for mandated reporting to retain appropriate documentation in student records, gather relevant information for VA reporting deadlines. Provides auditors with the requested information and notifies the VA of enrollment information, enrollment changes, student grades, and student conduct incidents
4. Use knowledge of federal, state, and local programs for veterans and military-affiliated individuals to garner services such as, but not limited to, social services, mental health services, housing assistance, and work rehabilitation programs
5. Ensure compliance with collective bargaining contracts and District policies when approving paid time off, hiring classified and unclassified staff, engaging in the progressive discipline process, and conducting performance evaluations
6. Apply knowledge of SLOs and Program Reviews to assess whether the department meets its short- and long-term objectives
7. Use enterprise resource planning software to develop requisitions for the use of departmental funds, grant funds and to monitor the area budget.
8. Use timekeeping software to verify and approve the use of paid time off for subordinate employees
9. Use general office software to develop grant applications, orientation materials, information materials, create reports, aggregate data, and communicate with staff, students, and external agencies

ABILITY TO:

1. Develops and administers programs and services at the College by understanding veteran and active military students' unique needs and removes barriers for the success of these students
2. Maintain up-to-date on the current state and federal regulations impacting the educational benefits and reporting requirement of veteran or military-affiliated students
3. Develop competent and productive staff through effective selection and supervision
4. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge and respect to develop skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
5. Effectively develop methods to assess the effectiveness of departmental events, services, and activities
6. Ensure that data/information is gathered in a timely and accurate manner, appropriate information is reported, and reporting deadlines are met
7. Effectively develops and administers programs and services for the VRC by understanding the unique needs of veteran and active military students and seeking to remove barriers to success for these students
8. Communicate effectively, orally, and in writing
9. Develop and maintain collegiate relationships with District staff, students, and external agencies

PHYSICAL ABILITIES AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Activities and environmental or atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job. The physical demands and environmental conditions described below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

PHYSICAL ABILITIES

1. Continuously (5.6 hours – 8 hours) exhibit the ability to communicate, sit, and operate a computer to manage the day-to-day operations of the department.
2. Occasionally (31 minutes – 2.5 hours) exhibit mobility to travel to District satellite locations.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS

1. Continuously (5.6 hours – 8 hours) work in an indoor office environment within a moderate temperature and have contact with customers, end users, and the general public.

Core Competencies:

• Veterans Benefits Administration & Regulatory Compliance
• Program Administration
• Veteran-Centered Student Support
• Community Partnerships & Resource Development
• Grant Development & Acquisition
• Program Assessment
• Strategic Leadership
• Communication, Outreach & Advocacy

Salary Range:

M-3