Position Summary

Located 45 minutes from the Nation’s Capital, nestled in a history-rich community of southern Maryland, The College of Southern Maryland (CSM) has been twice named in the top 150 community colleges by the Aspen Institute with academic programs in over 100 disciplines. CSM is among America’s top 100 producers of Minority associate degrees in twenty categories, according to Diverse Issues in Higher Education.  CSM offers excellent health insurance benefits; State Retirement Pension plan; wellness programs; Code Green early closure Fridays in the summer; college closure for spring break and several major holidays, including the week between Christmas and New Year; and for several days in March for Spring Break.  We are an innovative institution committed to student success and well known for our flexibility to meet student and community needs.

The Veteran Affairs Advisor and School Certifying Official (SCO) serves as a primary point of contact for veteran and military-affiliated students, providing academic advising, advocacy, and guidance on VA education benefits. This position ensures compliance with Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) regulations through the accurate certification of benefits, reporting and recordkeeping. Additionally, this role involves fostering student success by providing tailored advising, outreach and institutional support.

Reports to: Veterans Affairs Coordinator

The hiring salary for this position will be from the min to mid-point of the salary range. This position is open until filled. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

30% Academic Advising

Guide students in choosing courses that align with their academic goals, major requirements, and personal interests.Ensure students enroll in courses that comply with VA regulations and degree requirements to prevent benefit disruptions.Explain course prerequisites, sequencing, and graduation requirements, including general education, major-specific, and elective courses.Provide guidance on career pathways and how academic choices align with future employment goals.Assist students in addressing academic difficulties, including low grades, poor study habits, and personal challenges.Offer time management strategies to balance academic and personal responsibilities effectively.Advise transfer students on credit evaluation, course equivalencies, and military credit articulation.Guide students through the graduation application process, ensuring they meet all final requirements and deadlines.Keep detailed records of advising sessions, including guidance provided and follow-up actions. 

35% Communications, Advocacy, and Student Support

Serve as the primary point of contact for veteran and military-affiliated students, providing timely and accurate information.Advocate students’ needs within the institution, working with various departments to improve services. Including referrals to campus counseling services. Assist with maintaining relationships with military installations, veteran service organizations, and community partners.Provide information to veterans about their education benefits, eligibility, and application process.Respond to student emails and voicemails promptly and professionally, addressing academic concerns and benefit-related inquiries.Answer phone calls, ensuring clear, accurate, and supportive communication regarding VA benefits, enrollment, and academic advising.Assist in organizing veterans’ events, including recognition ceremonies and networking opportunities.Deliver speeches at events to honor veterans and express institutional support for their service.

35% VA Compliance & School Certifying Official (SCO) Responsibilities

Certify Enrollment & VA Benefits: Verify, certify, and ensure that enrollment certifications are submitted to the VA in a timely and accurate manner through Enrollment Manager. Maintain Student Records: Update records as needed, including changes in enrollment status, add/drop reports, NA reports, and graduation reports.Ensure Compliance: Ensure that the institution follows all VA guidelines and regulations for certification and audits. Work with VA representatives to resolve issues such as payment delays, overpayments, or benefit eligibility questions.Stay Current on VA Policies: Keep up to date with VA regulations, policies, and legislative changes that affect veterans' education benefits.Attend VA training sessions, workshops, and conferences (AVECO, NAVPA) to stay informed of industry’s best practices.Coordinate with Other School Departments: Collaborate with admissions, financial aid, and academic advising offices to provide seamless support for veterans. 

Additional Duties:

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Education and Training

Bachelor’s degree required. Experience working with faculty/staff/students from post-secondary institutions.Working knowledge of VA policies and procedures, compliance regulations.Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and problem-solving skills.Strong communication, advocacy and student support skills. 

Preferred Education and Experience:

Veteran preferredDegree in education, counseling, student affairs, or related field preferred.Experience in academic advising, veterans’ services, or VA compliance preferred. 

Minimum Qualifications and Standards Required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

Strong written and oral communication skills. Analyzing data and drawing conclusions Interpreting federal regulations Proficiency in Microsoft Office software Two years’ experience working in a financial aid or Registrar’s office in a post-secondary institution preferred. Proficiency in Enrollment Manager, Ellucian Colleague and other relevant platforms preferred.Ability to conduct independent research. Ability to work with a diverse population with a wide variety of needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work is mostly sedentary work which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT
Work is performed in a relatively safe, and secure work environment

General Employment Information

The College of Southern Maryland is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Background Checks

The College of Southern Maryland conducts background checks in order to ensure the safety and well-being of the College's staff and students.  The final candidate for this position will be subject to the following background checks:  Criminal History Check and Sex Offender Registry Check.

Conflict of Interest policy

No College of Southern Maryland employee shall engage in or have a financial interest, directly or indirectly, in any activity that conflicts or raises a reasonable question of conflict with his or her duties and responsibilities. CSM Employees shall not at any time engage in any outside employment or independent consulting that would adversely affect their employment status or performance as employees at the college, create a conflict of interest, or, with the exception of constitutionally protected activities, would compromise or embarrass the college, or adversely affect professional standing. Any full-time college employee who also holds a full-time position or its equivalent in consulting elsewhere (whether permanent or seasonal) will be deemed to have a conflict of interest and will be asked to resign from one of the full-time positions.  Full-time employees must promptly disclose in writing, on a form available from the Human Resources Office, to the college all other full-time employment or its equivalent in independent consulting.  

Employment Frequently Asked Questions

Click here to find our frequently asked questions: https://www.csmd.edu/employment/frequently-asked-questions/index.html