Bow Valley College is the largest and fastest growing Comprehensive Community College in Alberta. We have locations across southern Alberta helping 17,000 learners each year. Our mission is to contribute to the vitality of communities and strength of the economy through innovative adult education programs and services which equip students for successful living, lifelong learning, and employment in a global knowledge-based environment.

Our Student Services department is looking for a Student Awards Advisor to join their dynamic team.

The Student Awards Advisor reports directly to the Manager, Learner Financial Empowerment. This position is responsible for advising students including, but no limited to: financial need assessments, scholarships and bursaries inquiries, application process, awards administrative software and system processes. The incumbent is a representative of Student Services to the College Community at large and provides workshops, and information sessions relating to student awards. The position is required to provide excellent customer service from the initial point of contact through to process completion and disbursement.

Responsibilities:

Student Awards Advising – 80%

• Point of contact for all learner inquiries related to BVC Awards Program. Answer/return phone, email inquiries, and face to face appointments.
• Advisor to the Government of Alberta awards programming; facilitating the nomination and application process.
• Assists learners, cross-departmental awards administrators, staff and faculty with Student Awards applications and nominations. Subject matter expert on awards processes and procedures.
• Assesses, awards, and distributes financial need bursaries through scheduled student appointments and online applications submissions. Consult with the Academic departments on prospective and current recipients to ensure satisfactory academic progress, when required. Effectively refer students to other internal and external resources as required.
• Contributes to the successful administration of the awards disbursement cycle.
• Facilitates financial literacy concepts within Financial Aid initiatives.
• Facilitates Awards Portal ‘How To Workshops’.
• Effective provision of scholarship and bursary information and processes to the College community.
• Participates in events such as New Student Orientation, Open House for the purpose of providing information and education around student awards.

Administration and Quality Control – 15%

• Super User of current BVC student awards system; administrative modules.
• Database management, ensuring data integrity and proper usage of student information.
• Generates awards reports and gather year over year applicant and recipient data in collaboration with Student Awards Officer.
• Collection and provision of Student Awards metrics to inform decision making and process improvement in collaboration with the Student Awards Officer.
• Provides up to date information to the Awards Administrators and the College Community to ensure reliable information dissemination.
• Provides input and data to the Awards Officer for quarterly reports to the Government of Alberta; Student Aid Alberta Scholarship programs and the Indigenous Careers Award.

Other – 5%

• Participates in internal Student Services activities.
• Other duties as required.
• Provides cover off assistance to the Student Services front line staff.

Minimum Qualifications

• University degree preferred in a related field such as Arts, Commerce, Education or Business Administration.
• Experience/background in Financial Aid/Awards work related to the position assignment; or an equivalent combination of education and experience would be an asset.
• Two years work experience in an advisory or educational environment, plus customer service in dealing with a diverse clientele.
• An equivalent combination of directly related education and experience may be considered.

Preferred

• Ability to apply Financial Literacy principles.
• Strong interpersonal, communications, advisory and assessment skills.
• Ability to liaise effectively with internal and external key stakeholders.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong sense of professionalism and ability to work with sensitive information in compliance with FOIP.

This a Continuous, AUPE position.

Please note all successful candidates will be required to provide copies of government issued identification and proof of educational qualifications upon hire and may be required to provide an enhanced police information check.

Diversity and Inclusion Commitment
Bow Valley College is strongly committed to fostering diversity and inclusion within our community. We welcome applications from qualified candidates who would contribute to the further diversification of our employees including, but not limited to, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity.