Program Specialist - Veterans Services

Program Specialist - Veterans Services

Salary: $66,818 - $82,179 annually

Location: Districtwide, CA

Job Type: Permanent

Division: DO District Office

Job Number: 2026003

Closing: 01/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

Under general supervision, assists with planning and implementing the college Veterans Services program and assists with operation of the Veterans Resource Center; acts as a School Certifying Official (SCO) and processes and certifies student applications for Veterans Administration educational benefits in accordance with legal guidelines; monitors student progress and processes appropriate documents for the payment of veterans benefits; provides technical assistance and provides access to veterans and student services resources to students, staff and the public;

assists with monitoring program compliance with federal, state and District codes, rules and regulations; and performs related duties as assigned.

• Provides input in selecting, training and providing day‑to‑day lead work guidance and direction to other program staff, tutors and student aides; assigns, schedules and monitors work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District, department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards; monitors workflow to ensure mandated deadlines are being met in an optimal manner; provides information, instruction and training on work procedures and technical, legal and regulatory requirements.
• Provides input to supervisor on employee work performance and behaviors; assists in ensuring a fair, open and inclusive work environment in accordance with the District's mission, goals and values.
• Facilitates day‑to‑day operation of the Veterans Resource Center; oversees and participates in front‑desk coverage, explains and screens veterans and their dependents for a variety of programs and services; meets with students to discuss VA educational benefits; assists students in accessing student and community services such as attending events and workshops, tutoring and academic support, counseling appointments, career research, accessing mental health resources, housing and financial assistance.
• Screens student needs for Counselors and schedules student counseling appointments; independently performs research for Counselors and other faculty on specific student issues and resolves routine issues.
• Acts as School Certifying Official (SCO) in accordance with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs School Certifying Official Handbook; reviews student files and documentation and determines eligibility for appropriate VA educational program benefits and provides necessary forms; consults with VA officials and other certifying officials for clarification and assistance with complex problems.
• Monitors student enrollment to ensure compliance with the educational plan developed by the Veterans Counselor to avoid under/over payment and institutional liability; processes and signs student enrollment certifications, unit changes and enrollment verifications; monitors student schedule changes, tracks student ongoing eligibility for benefits and notifies students regarding changes in benefit status; processes VA documents/forms related to educational benefits in District and VA systems.
• Runs a variety of reports and audits student grades, attendance and academic status; adjusts student data and certifications in appropriate systems, following established procedures in making on coding that impacts student benefits and student success measures; prepares and sends correspondence for students regarding VA eligibility, student status and other information; assists students with resolving VA payment problems; researches data, posts and clears holds on student records;
  
  initiates student petitions to waive enrollment fees; processes advance pay requests.
• Maintains student VA records in accordance with VA regulations and audit records to ensure accuracy; responds to requests from other educational institutions/agencies for the verification of student status and records; ensures proper releases are on file to safeguard student privacy; responds to subpoenas and public records…