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Education Benefits Program Specialist

Education Benefits Program Specialist

San Manuel Band of Mission IndiansHighland, CA, US
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Education Benefits Program Specialist

Under the direction of the Manager, Administration and Operations, the Education Benefits Program Specialist supports Tribal students from preschool through post-secondary by managing academic and financial caseloads, ensuring alignment with Tribal education goals and regulatory compliance. The Specialist cultivates strategic partnerships with educational institutions and funding bodies, oversees scholarship and financial aid programs, and leads initiatives that promotes college readiness, supports accreditation and compliance efforts, and fosters community engagement to enhance student success.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

1. Student Support & Program Oversight

  • Oversees academic and financial caseloads for Tribal students from preschool through post-secondary, ensuring alignment with Tribal education goals and compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Manages enrollment data, tuition assistance, and academic progress tracking systems.
  • Works with tribal citizens to solve and resolve financial challenges or obstacles that may arise from their schools with limited oversight or support from an administrator, to promote the success of the students and uphold the integrity of educational programs.

2. Financial Aid & Scholarship Administration

  • Leads the full lifecycle of scholarship and financial aid programs, including outreach, eligibility determination, fund disbursement, and reporting.
  • Develops and implements systems to streamline application processes and ensure compliance with Tribal, State, and Federal guidelines.
  • Provides oversight and accountability for all financial aid operations.

    • 3. Budgeting & Financial Reporting

  • Develops and presents quarterly financial reports and budget forecasts to the Principal for Tribal leadership awareness.
  • Monitors expenditures and identifies trends to support long-term planning.
  • Provides recommendations that align with Tribal priorities and fiscal responsibility.

    • 4. Data Analysis & Reporting

  • Creates and manages dashboards and reporting tools to monitor student outcomes, scholarship impact, and financial aid trends.
  • Analyzes data to identify gaps and recommend improvements.
  • Ensures transparency and accountability through regular reporting and evaluation.
  • Utilizes financial software to gather, analyze, and provide administrative staff with important budget information.

    • 5. Strategic Partnerships & Advocacy

  • Cultivates and maintains strategic partnerships with colleges, universities, vocational schools, and funding organizations.
  • Represents the department in high-level discussions with the tribal community, educational institutional partnerships, and with internal departments to promote shared goals and long-term collaboration.
  • Meets with educational institutions, housing companies (apartment, college housing departments, third-party leasing agents) to guarantee payment and resolution of any issues that may arise for the student. Initiates agreements that benefit Tribal students and align with community values.

    • 6. Financial Literacy & College Readiness

  • Designs and implements college financial readiness and financial literacy initiatives, including workshops and community sessions.
  • Collaborates with internal and external experts to deliver comprehensive education on academic pathways, financial planning, and EBA programs.
  • Evaluates program effectiveness and adjusts strategies to improve outcomes.

    • 7. Compliance & Accreditation

  • Works collaboratively with the team through compliance and accreditation processes, including WASC coordination.
  • Provides data to the author of compliance documentation.
  • Interprets and applies Tribal policies and regulations to maintain program fidelity.

    • 8. Community Engagement & Events

  • Assists in planning and execution of community engagement initiatives, student recognition events, and cross-departmental collaborations.
  • Coordinates logistics, communications, and outreach strategies to maximize participation.
  • Builds relationships with families and community partners to foster trust and support.

    • 9. School Safety & Facilities Coordination

  • Ensures school facility safety and regulatory compliance by coordinating with Risk Management and internal teams.
  • Implements emergency protocols, assesses infrastructure needs, and maintains secure learning environments.
  • Develops and monitors safety plans in alignment with Tribal and external standards.
  • Serves as the point of contact during crisis response and continuous improvement of safety measures.

    • 10. Performs other duties as assigned to support the efficient operation of the department.

    Education, Experience And Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree required. Business Administration or Finance is preferred.
  • Minimum four (4) years of experience providing administrative support, education administration, student services support, or budget reconciliation required.
  • Minimum two (2) years of experience providing education benefit support within a Tribal education system is preferred.
  • Related, relevant, and / or direct experience may be considered in lieu of minimum educational requirements indicated above.

    • Knowledge, Skills And Abilities (Ksa)

    Cultural & Community Engagement

  • Willingness and capability to learn the Serrano language.
  • Deep understanding of Tribal values, sovereignty, and culturally responsive education.
  • Experience working with Native American communities and knowledge of current Native American culture.
  • Strong public speaking, facilitation, and outreach skills to engage families and promote educational success.

    • Educational Program Leadership

  • Ability to oversee multi-level education programs.
  • Knowledge of accreditation standards, testing protocols, and multi-jurisdictional regulations.
  • Maintains constant communication with Secondary and Higher Education coordinators to ensure program alignment.

    • Strategic & Financial Management

  • Expertise in managing financial aid processes, compliance, and fund disbursement across Tribal, State, and Federal systems.
  • Experience independently managing multiple budgets, providing detailed reports, and applying financial aid policies.
  • Proficiency in analyzing student outcomes and financial trends to prepare strategic reports for Tribal leadership.

    • Institutional Relations & Advocacy

  • Skilled in building and maintaining relationships with academic institutions and funding bodies.
  • Experienced in negotiating agreements and advocating for Tribal educational interests.
  • Maintains a strong working knowledge of colleges and universities and stays current on higher education trends.

    • Professional & Administrative

  • Demonstrated commitment to students and learning.
  • Excellent organization, time management, and follow-up skills with a high sense of urgency.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks with attention to detail and minimal supervision.
  • Strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and consensus-building abilities.
  • Capable of maintaining poise and professionalism in high-pressure situations.
  • Experience handling confidential and sensitive information with discretion and sound judgment.
  • Proficient in using computers and digital tools for communication, documentation, and reporting.

    • Communication & Interpersonal Skills

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal and presentation abilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively.
  • Effective relationship-building and management skills.

    • Licenses, Certifications And Registrations

  • As a condition of employment, candidates and incumbents are required to pass pre- and post-employment screening including Live-Scan, background, drug testing, and tuberculosis (TB) testing.
  • Authorized Driver : Role requires operation or driving of Tribe-owned vehicles or driving patron vehicles. A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record as determined by the insurance carrier is required.

    • Physical Requirements / Working Conditions Environment

    The physical demands and working environment described here are representative of those that an employee encounters and must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Primary work environment is in a climate-controlled office setting.
  • Work requires travel to attend meetings, trade shows, and conferences.
  • Incumbents may be required to work evening, weekend and holiday shifts.
  • Must be able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment.
  • Strength sufficient to exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and / or a negligible amount of
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