Student Services Assistant - Front Desk /Customer Service Special

Minnesota State; Willmar (MN); On-site; USD 29,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12 paid holidays

Paid parental leave

Tuition waivers

Pension plan

Job summary

Ridgewater College seeks a Student Services Assistant at the Willmar campus. You will front-desk serve the college community, handle inquiries, and support financial aid, records, and billing processes.

Strong customer service and data-entry skills are essential as you guide students and families through college systems. Responsibilities include scheduling, preparing forms, assisting with special projects, and maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of customer service practices and principles sufficient to identify each customer’s needs.
• Ability to explain policies and procedures clearly to internal and external customers.
• Skill to provide prompt and accurate information in person, by phone, and by email.

Responsibilities

• Greet visitors, answer phones, and route calls or messages professionally.
• Assist students with special projects and schedule appointments.
• Provide clerical support for student services, including FAFSA, records, and billing.
• Operate and reference college software (D2L, ISRS, SharePoint, MS Teams).
• Maintain confidential student information and perform data entry accurately.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Scheduling

Communication

Multitasking

Confidentiality

Problem solving

Microsoft Office

Tools

D2L

MS Teams

SharePoint

ISRS

Job description

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).Working Title:Student Services Assistant - Front Desk /Customer Service SpecialInstitution:Ridgewater CollegeClassification Title:Customer Svcs Specialist IntBargaining Unit / Union:206: AFSCME - Clerical and OfficeCity:RIDG - Willmar CampusFLSA:Non Job ExemptFull Time / Part Time:Full timeEmployment Condition:Classified - UnlimitedSalary Range:$21.12 - $29.73Job DescriptionThis position serves as the front line of the Student Services department and provides administrative support college-wide, which may include but is not limited to data entry, management of student files and records, document imaging, scheduling appointments, and being assigned special projects by others within the college. This position delivers support to students and their families, faculty, staff, and others in the college community by providing essential information, assistance navigating online resources, answering questions in the areas of course enrollment information, academic records, financial aid, disability services, payments and billing. This position requires a high level of customer service, professional knowledge and ongoing training to research, investigate, problem-solve, and resolve both simple and complex student issues under minimal supervisory guidance, regularly exercising professional judgement and discretion on individual student cases. The person in this position must be able to work independently, with minimal supervision and possess the interpersonal communication skills needed to do work for multiple people.PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS1. Maintain a thorough and comprehensive understanding of the College’s financial aid, records, registration, advising and billing processes, services and resources to provide clear and concise responses to requests for information assistance external customers. Asking inquiring questions is critical before referring to appropriate staff or department. This position provides technical support for using eServices including registration, financial aid, scheduling courses, billing, etc. Answers calls promptly and provides accurate information to callers or routes calls appropriately. Develops rapport and trust with prospective, applicant, and current students to promote the understanding of college policy, procedures, and operations. D emonstrates initiative in resolving situations not requiring personal attention from one of the Directors in Student Services. Treat all interactions with integrity and confidentiality. Direct students and families to resources needed to navigate Student Services. Assist with the intake and handing out of forms/documents. Escalate more complex or time-sensitive issues to the appropriate Student Services staff. Follow-up with students or staff as needed to ensure proper resolution of an issue. This position also includes the following, but is not limited to:Greet visitors and assist or direct them appropriately.Answers phones, transfers calls, and takes messages as appropriate.Provide answers to questions and provide follow-up messages in a professional manner.Assists students with special projects and activities.Schedule appointments for students.Disseminates information or refers customers to appropriate resources.Project a positive image for the institution.Set up school visits and toursOther customer service duties as needed.2. Provides clerical and other general office and administrative support for the student services including financial aid office and the college’s faculty, staff, and administration. Duties include but are not limited to:Administrative duties for student services: Registration overrides, financial aid tracking, FAFSA support, all forms processed in the student services area (paper and electronic), work with electronic workflow software.Preparing purchase requisitions and completing transactions within appropriate softwareScheduling and taking minutes during faculty advisory board meetings.Conducting student background studies for certain programs.Preparing, copying, assembling forms, mailings, packets, etc.Creating correspondence.Creating promotional materials such as flyers.Scheduling rooms and appointments.Work on special projects.Organizing, processing and distributing incoming and/or outgoing mail.Knowledge and demonstrated ability to use the following computer/software including: Desire to Learn (D2L), Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, ISRS, etc.Monitoring and maintaining inventory of office supplies.Provides quality assurance checks on all data entry.Assist with student flags in Starfish.Other miscellaneous administrative support duties as assigned.3. Serve as a backup test administrator to the test center on the Willmar campus.KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESThis position requires analytical and problem-solving skills along with a high level of attention to detail and organizational skills. This position also requires skills in the areas of interpretation of information, computation, ability to work well under pressure and deal will people in a professional manner. In this position, human relations and interpersonal skills are of equal importance with technical skills. This position requires the ability to perform duties with a minimum of supervision and must make appropriate decisions.Salary Range:$21.12 - $28.01/ hr.Minimum QualificationsKnowledge of customer service practices and principles sufficient to identify each customer’s needs, meet quality standards for services, that result in customer satisfaction.Ability to explain policies and procedures in a clear, concise, and professional manner to both internal and external customers.Skill in customer service sufficient to provide prompt and accurate information to customers in person, on the phone, and through email and other written or electronic correspondence.Knowledge of math sufficient to maintain complete and accurate financial records and balance and resolve discrepancies.Skill in word processing sufficient to prepare, edit, and finalize emails, memos, reports, and/or other documents and types of written communication that are grammatically correct, in proper format, and free of spelling errors.Knowledge of standard computer software programs for word processing, spreadsheets, and databases sufficient to create, modify, and protect files.Knowledge of document and/or records management systems sufficient to store, categorize, and retrieve electronic filesAbility to accurately input, verify, and edit electronic data and check input and output data for completeness, accuracy, and discrepancies.Preferred QualificationExperience using Minnesota State systems, including ISRS, ImageNow, D2L, SharePoint, MS Teams, and/or test bank generators.Knowledge of Ridgewater College academic programs, policies and procedures and a commitment to the values of education for all individuals.Interview techniques and communication skills sufficient to obtain routine information from prospective students.Excellence in positive problem-solving skills/dilemma resolution skills.Ability to manage multiple projects with precision of detail and with complete follow-through to meet established deadlines.Ability to prioritize, multi-task and organize information in an accurate and timely manner despite frequent interruptions.Ability to maintain the confidentiality of private information according to law, rules, policies and procedures is essential.Ability to work independently and work effectively in a team environment.Ability to write and speak multiple languages.Other RequirementsPhysical RequirementsRequires occasional lifting and/or carrying such articles as file folders, ledgers and small tools. Although a sedentary job is defined as one which involves sitting, a certain amount of walking and standing is often necessary in carrying out job duties.In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (MnSCU) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to MnSCU’s vehicle use criteria and consent to a Motor Vehicle Records check.Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)Monday- Friday, 8:00AM-4:30PMTelework (Yes/No)No - This position is not telework or work from home eligible (this position requires on site presence)AboutInstitution InformationMISSION : Ridgewater College empowers diverse learners to reach their full potential and enrich their lives through personalized and relevant education in an accessible, supportive, and inclusive environment.VISION: Ridgewater College is a student-centered educational leader focused on innovation, excellence, and affordability.GUIDING PRINCIPLES:Enterprising - We are future-focused, and change-oriented, developing creative solutions to challenges that maximize our institutional, system and local resources.Empowerment – We develop and empower employees to make decisions to best serve students and stakeholders.Excellence – We strive to exceed expectations in all that we do.Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – We seek to understand and appreciate the needs and experiences of every individual and actively work to provide genuine opportunities for everyone to succeed and participate in college activities and processes.Trust and Respect – We are committed to developing a culture based in processes and behavior that create trust and respect among all stakeholders.Collaboration – We connect and work together to achieve common goals while respecting needs and interests of stakeholders.Curiosity and Creativity – We constantly strive to understand, learn, change, and improve.Accountability – As individuals and groups, we willingly accept and take ownership of our successes and failures.Benefits Information:At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.Desired Start Date:10-21-2026Position End Date:Open Date:08-21-2026Close Date:09-09-2026Posting Contact Name:Felicia Mary TeleckyPosting Contact Email:[e-mail]