Financial Aid Data Specialist

Financial Aid Data Specialist

Do you enjoy turning complex data into clear, reliable answers? Are you energized by systems, queries, and the behind-the-scenes work that keeps a mission-critical office running smoothly? The University of Southern Maine (USM) is seeking a Financial Aid Data Specialist to join the Office of Student Financial Services and provide essential support for the programs, databases, reporting, and procedures that keep financial aid delivery running accurately and on time for USM students.

This is a data- and systems-focused role at its core. You'll work closely with the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid Systems and collaborate with colleagues across the office, Institutional Research, and University of Maine System partners to build and maintain the People Soft queries, reports, and processes that ensure students' aid is awarded accurately and in compliance with federal and state requirements.

Success in this role looks like dependable, well-documented systems and reports that staff across the office can trust.

About the role

The Office of Student Financial Services helps USM students and families navigate the financial aid process, administering more than $75 million in federal, state, and institutional aid annually. The office works to ensure students receive accurate, timely awarding of grants, scholarships, and loans, while maintaining compliance with complex and ever-changing federal and state regulations — all in support of USM's Service Promise of being Student Focused Every Day.

Key responsibilities:

• Create and maintain People Soft queries for awarding financial aid funds accurately and monitoring compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies.
• Develop and maintain strong working knowledge of the People Soft system and SQL to support data management, reporting, and system-related functions.
• Run routine People Soft jobs, monitoring output for anomalies and errors, and assist with annual process setup for each financial aid year.
• Collaborate with the Office of Institutional Research on annual federal reporting projects.
• Provide internal financial aid reports to staff who manage special populations and programs.
• Send and receive sensitive student data securely through federal systems.
• Serve as a resource to staff on software, database structure, downloading protocols, query languages, and reporting tools, including training as needed.
• Represent the office at campus and University of Maine System meetings.

This is an in-person position located on our Gorham campus with a starting salary of $51,000. It is a regular, full-time position with occasional nights and weekends as required.

Benefits

The University of Southern Maine offers highly competitive benefits for full-time and eligible part-time employees that includes (but is not limited to):

• 13 paid holidays plus earned vacation time and sick time.
• Health, dental and vision insurance.
• Low-cost short-term disability insurance and employer-paid long-term disability insurance.
• Employer-paid basic life insurance and supplemental life insurance.
• A tuition waiver program for employees and their spouse or dependent child(ren).
• A 403(b)-retirement plan with employer contribution.
• Free access to the METRO system, including the Husky Line with service between our Portland and Gorham campuses.

To learn more, please review the Benefits Information Summary.

About the University of Southern Maine

The University of Southern Maine is a vibrant academic community located in the greater Portland, Maine area, including campuses in Portland, Gorham, Lewiston, and online. USM is part of the University of Maine System and offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs, emphasizing hands-on learning, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. With a highly engaged student-centered learning environment, USM is a steward of higher education, helping drive the economic, cultural, and civic life in the communities where our campuses are located and beyond.

USM is committed to providing expanded access to high-quality education that elevates economic opportunity and contributes significantly to the vitality of a diverse society. To learn more about USM, visit About Our University.

The University of Southern Maine fosters a welcoming and supportive campus environment that respects and appreciates varied perspectives, enhancing teaching, learning, personal growth, and overall institutional achievement. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds who share our dedication to academic excellence and the enrichment of our community.

We are dedicated to our Service Promise, Student Focused Every Day and seek a team member who embraces this commitment and upholds our core values of Respect & Care, Integrity, Equity, and Responsiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree and at least three (3) years of professional experience, or an equivalent combination of academic and directly related professional work…