Program Specialist -Counseling, Coaching & Outreach

About Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University is a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students. It is one of six state‑funded four‑year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. GWU is recognized for its distinctive hands‑on learning approach that leads to in‑demand careers. The 300‑acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Spokane.

EWU also offers programs in downtown Spokane, at the Catalyst building, the SIERR building, and at Riverpoint in partnership with Washington State University. Programs extend to select locations throughout the state, aligning with community needs. The university provides bachelor’s, master’s, and applied doctorate degrees across more than 100 fields of study, including physical therapy and educational leadership.

EWU has received several honors, including the "College of Distinction" designation for the 2024–25 academic year and recognition by Money Magazine as one of the Best Colleges in America 2024.

EWU acknowledges the land of the Spokane Tribe and other local tribes, honoring their historical and cultural contributions and commitment to tribal sovereignty.

Program Specialist 2 – Counseling, Coaching & Outreach to support the Financial Aid Office’s mission of providing student‑centered, quality service and maximizing educational access.

• Provide counseling and coaching to students, parents, faculty, high school counselors, and others regarding financial aid eligibility, application procedures, satisfactory academic progress requirements, student budget development, and debt management.
• Serve as a campus partner resource for the Eagle Care Network and administer emergency aid.
• Review files, award aid, and make informed, well‑documented professional judgment decisions.
• Deliver financial aid presentations and support community outreach efforts with campus partners, focusing on at‑risk populations.
• Complete assigned special projects and/or program responsibilities based on operational necessity and individual experience and skills.

• Bachelor’s degree AND minimum one year of financial aid, higher education, accounting, or lending experience; OR minimum three years of financial aid related experience.
• Analytical and critical‑thinking skills for managing complex tasks in adherence to federal and state regulations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Pass required federal and state aid administration system tests.
• Demonstrated ability to apply a responsive and flexible approach that supports the needs of students, faculty, staff, and the public, including universal access.

• Master’s degree.
• Experience with Banner Financial Aid system.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced, high‑demand environment.
• Experience in problem resolution and customer de‑escalation.

• Counseling and Coaching (40%) – Provide one‑on‑one counseling via in‑person, e‑mail, and phone; explain complex financial aid information; act as liaison with campus and community partners; participate in policy development and problem resolution; serve on the Eagle Care Network.
• Evaluation, Packaging and Professional Judgment (40%) – Manage a portion of applications, evaluate financial information, make adjustments to aid offers, maintain compliance, and document decisions; stay current with regulatory changes and training.
• Outreach (10%) – Deliver dynamic financial aid presentations to students, families, and community partners; target at‑risk groups; follow outreach guidelines.
• Direct Functions (10%) – Document and log forms in financial aid systems (e.g., Eretrieve); assist with ad‑hoc projects and data analysis.
• Other Duties as Assigned (10%)

The position requires a successful background check prior to employment. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and are not eligible for visa sponsorship. All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602‑02 and may request waivers for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs. The…