Department Overview

In collaboration with the Director of the Educational Debt Counseling and Financial Management Program, the Educational Debt and Financial Management Counselor is responsible for providing exceptional counseling and customer service in all areas related to debt management and financial literacy for the OHSU Learner Community (accepted applicants to academic programs; students; alums; and OHSU graduate residents, researchers and fellows who are alumni of OHSU). This position supports OHSU’s educational goals and opportunities for new and related strategic initiatives in educational debt and personal financial literacy.

The accrediting bodies for several educational programs require OHSU to provide a specific level of debt counseling and education to learners in order to meet accreditation standards. This position will be responsible for supporting the operation of an education mission-wide program to ensure compliance with accreditation responsibilities and provide services efficiently and effectively with the highest integrity.

Function/Duties of Position

Learner Counseling:

• Advise OHSU learners regarding student loan options by explaining federal, state and institutional regulations and procedures; rights and responsibilities of federal and alternative/private student loans; federal and state loan repayment and forgiveness programs and strategies; budgeting; and debt management related topics; while supporting the development and presentation of creative financial education and debt management related lectures to groups of prospective and/or enrolled students.
• Meet with prospective students during the admissions process to provide them with debt management information early in their decision-making process and work with the schools to help attract top-tier students to OHSU.
• Provide information related to managing educational debt (tuition/fees and other direct educational expenses) as well as provide a focus on the impact of non-educational debt on cumulative indebtedness.
• Independently synthesize complex quantitative data, current economic data, and loan repayment data to provide specific and strategic debt and financial management plans for a wide variety of individual student financial scenarios, decisions of which may have a significant fiscal impact on individuals’ lifelong financial portfolios.
• Provide specific and effective counseling catered to individuals’ financial situations and needs. Handle complex and delicate financial situations that require confidentiality, extreme tact, a vast amount of knowledge about policy and regulation, and the ability to analyze information quickly to come up with the best solution. 
• Successfully manage emotionally charged situations and work with the programs to attend to individuals’ needs while effectively preparing and advising learners.
• Provide referrals to other student services groups based on learners’ situations and needs.

Presentations & Content Development:

• Actively enhance and deliver targeted debt management materials and presentations for learners as they progress through their programs and for different academic-specialty-specific areas.
• Use salary data for each academic program, sub-specialties within programs and changes to salary over time to tailor debt management information to specific groups of trainees.
• Represent the department at various on and off-campus events.

Collaboration & Teamwork:

• Act as a liaison to the Academic Programs, Financial Aid Office, Registrar’s Office, Accounts Receivable and other OHSU departments concerning any financial aid, enrollment reporting, or registration issues a student may encounter.
• Represent the department and participate on various OHSU and external committees.
• Resolve any loan issues directly with loan servicers on the learners’ behalf.
• Assist the Director in campus outreach initiatives.

Required Qualifications

Education:

• A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a field directly related to the position.

Experience:

• Three or more years of experience providing general financial advising, financial counseling, and/or financial planning.
• Experience in higher education administration or in a related environment providing exemplary customer service and program management.
• Experience providing general financial advising, financial counseling, and/or financial planning to people from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, and/or socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Clear and effective written and oral communication, which includes the ability to express ideas, thoughts and concepts clearly and concisely, as well as the ability to mediate, counsel, facilitate, advocate, and mentor. Ability to use listening skills and display openness to other people’s ideas and thoughts.
• Knowledge of federal and state loan programs and regulations, specifically repayment and forgiveness options. This includes the forecasting of loan repayment amounts and monthly payment options given multiple variables.

Job Related Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work with diverse populations and foster collaborative relationships with academic faculty, learners, staff, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated commitment to student development and serving diverse populations.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and recognize situations that warrant initiative and moves forward without hesitation; resolving issues, problems, or situations.
• Ability to professionally present information to and counsel diverse and/or large groups about a variety of topics, applying consistent and empathetic professional judgment.
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities and deadlines efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Thorough and accurate knowledge of federal, state, and private loan programs, including repayment terms and forgiveness options. Proficient in MS Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
• Demonstrated record of reliable attendance, punctuality and proven successful performance at past and present employers.

Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• A master’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Public Administration, or a field directly related to the position.
• Financial Counselor, Credit Counselor or Debt Specialist certification from an organization such as AFCPE, Center for Financial Certifications, NACCC, NFCC, and NIFE.

Additional Details

Currently a potential hybrid of working from home and on campus is available (must meet remote working policy). Travel to OHSU regional campuses to meet with and provide services to students at those sites. Meet with individuals outside of normal working hours, necessitating occasional evening and weekend work as necessary to meet the needs of students.

Pay Range: $57,928 - $86,882 annually (Commensurate with qualifications, experience and internal equity)

All are welcome