Military Benefits Specialist

40 Hours | Flexible schedule to meet department needs to include possible evenings and weekends.

The Military Benefits Specialist assists students and families with financial aid processes, completions, and awards related to those with military service. They will also carry a smaller caseload of non-military students who they will assist with any financial aid needs. They work with student veterans, military dependents and their families to navigate the military benefit process, and provide operational support for federal and state requirements, compliance, and military educational benefit processing. The Military Benefits Specialist works with other departments to actively engage MCC student veterans to create experiences that align with the College's mission to positively impact retention, persistence, and degree completion. The Military Benefits Specialist is familiar with the challenges and barriers that community college students, and especially student veterans and their families, face in preparing for college. The Military Benefits Specialist is prepared to help students overcome the obstacles in their path to postsecondary education and career pathways. This role serves as the MCC Student Veteran Liaison.

• Serve as the College's Coordinator of Veterans and Military Personnel Student Services, per State of Illinois regulations
• Serve as the College's School Certifying Official, providing state and federal military benefit information to MCC colleagues and other stakeholders, keeping them apprised of changes to military educational benefits as necessary
• Serve as the primary source of information related to veteran and military programs and benefits available at MCC and within the community
• Develop and maintain relationships with students and families seeking information about financial aid, and/or veteran and military benefits by providing friendly service, timely response and knowledgeable advice, in-person and via other channels
• Manage a caseload of assigned students, both those eligible for military benefits and those who are not, proactively monitoring progress and intervening as necessary
• Administer the processing of military educational benefits and any resulting financial aid awards, following all procedures, and communicating to all parties as appropriate
• Maintain current knowledge of all software programs mandated by state and federal agencies and share updates related to technological advances with those impacted
• Assist the Director with matters such as audits, program reviews, and compliance surveys
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of departmental procedure and process documentation
• Present information about military benefits and financial aid at MCC to audiences such as high school students and their parents, community organizations, and other interested parties
• Collaborate with MCC colleagues on various student-centered initiatives, serve on committees, and consult on issues where particular expertise is needed
• Develop and support academic and social programs/services for military and student veterans, including the Student Veterans of America student organization
• Serve as a member of the MCC Institutional Liaison team
• Assume additional duties as assigned by immediate supervisor

• Proficient in Microsoft Office
• Excellent communication skills, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to establish and maintain rapport with people from varied backgrounds and at all levels of an organization
• Ability to grow with the technology and philosophical directions implemented by the College
• Understanding of the importance of confidentiality
• Ability to deliver clear, compelling presentations in front of an audience
• Ability to work in a high-quality, focused service environment with excellent organizational skills and a professional manner
• Demonstrated attention to detail
• Ability to work independently, yet have a strong team orientation
• Sensitivity to students whose cultural and educational experiences differ from his/her own
• Willingness to work in a dynamic environment and the ability to be receptive and responsive to changing goals, needs and priorities
• Ability to work well under pressure
• Demonstrated problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
• Commitment to and respect for diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Understanding of and commitment to the College's mission, vision, values, and goals

• Associate Degree from a regionally accredited institution or equivalent education and experience
• 1+ years of related experience (e.g., working in an educational environment, serving students)
  
  

• Bachelor's Degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Bilingual communication skills (Spanish/English)
• Experience working with veterans and/or military students
• Understanding of applicable state and federal regulations related to financial aid
• Experience with computer software used for financial aid processing
• Experience working in higher education, particularly in a community college setting

Equal Employment Opportunity

McHenry County College declares and reaffirms a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination. The College will make all decisions regarding admission, employment, participation in educational programs, or activities, without discrimination on grounds of race, color, creed or religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, marital status, physical or mental disabilities, military status, sexual orientation, gender-related identity, pregnancy, unfavorable discharge from military service, or other factors prohibited by law. Decisions regarding employment include hiring, promotion, termination, wages or salaries, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. MCC is committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible college community.

To request reasonable accommodation to participate in any aspect of the hiring process, contact Human Resources at AskHR@mchenry.edu.