Veterans Resource Center; VRC) Advisor and School Certifying Official; SCO Job Oakland area,California USA,Management

Description

The Veterans Resource Center (VRC) Advisor serves as the institution’s primary and designated School Certifying Official (SCO) and is responsible for the administration of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits. This position provides advanced coordination of veteran and military‑connected student services, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations while supporting student success and institutional integrity. The SCO Lead functions as the institution’s subject matter expert and primary liaison to the VA and State Approving Agency (SAA), exercising independent judgment in interpreting and applying regulatory requirements.

This role operates as a senior individual contributor with institution‑wide responsibility for certification, compliance, audit readiness, and veteran student engagement. This position reports to the Dean of Students, with regular collaboration with Student Affairs, the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Academic Affairs.

Duties And Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities
VA Certification & Compliance (Primary Function)
- Serve as the institution’s designated School Certifying Official (SCO).
- Certify student enrollment, program changes, and status updates accurately and in accordance with VA regulations.
- Monitor and report changes (e.g., withdrawals, reductions, program changes, graduation) within required timelines.
- Interpret and apply federal VA education benefit regulations (Title 38) and institutional policies.
- Maintain complete, accurate, and audit‑ready student certification records in compliance with FERPA and VA standards.
Program Approval & Regulatory Coordination
- Coordinate the submission and maintenance of academic program approvals with the State Approving Agency (SAA).
- Ensure all programs eligible for VA benefits meet federal and state requirements.
- Collaborate with Academic Affairs and the Registrar to validate program data, catalog alignment, and reporting accuracy.
- Track program approvals, updates, and renewal requirements.
Audit & Compliance Management
- Serve as the primary institutional contact for VA and SAA audits, compliance surveys, and reviews.
- Prepare and organize documentation required for audits and compliance reporting.
- Respond to audit inquiries and coordinate corrective actions as necessary.
- Maintain institutional readiness for ongoing compliance monitoring.
Institutional Liaison & Cross‑Functional Coordination
- Act as the primary liaison between the institution and the VA.
- Collaborate with the Registrar, Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Academic Programs to ensure compliance and data accuracy.
- Provide guidance to campus partners on VA regulations, certification processes, and compliance requirements.
- Ensure consistent application of policies affecting veteran and military‑connected students.
Student Support & Case Management
- Advise veteran and military‑connected students on education benefits, eligibility requirements, and available campus resources.
- Maintain a caseload of students using VA benefits, monitoring academic progress and enrollment status.
- Support veteran student success through holistic advising, referrals, and engagement opportunities.
- Provide support aligned with FERPA guidelines and institutional privacy standards.
Veteran Engagement & Programming
- Develop, coordinate, and implement programming and engagement opportunities that support the success, retention, and sense of belonging of veteran and military‑connected students.
- Plan and execute veteran‑focused events, including orientations, workshops, and recognition events.
- Collaborate with campus partners to integrate veteran‑inclusive practices into broader student success initiatives.
- Foster connections between veteran students and campus…