Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Financial Literacy Specialist

  • Title: Financial Literacy Specialist
  • Class: Academic Professional
  • Exempt Status: Exempt
  • Level: 3

Nature and Scope of Work

The Financial Literacy Specialist, under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, provides a broad range of activities that support students success and financial literacy attainment. The Financial Literacy Specialist develops, implements and evaluates a district-wide financial literacy program while ensuring compliance with college policy, Federal regulations, the Fair Debt Collection Act and FERPA.

Principal Accountabilities

  1. Researches student financial resources and literacy issues; develops curriculum and delivers the college’s financial literacy education content, products and services; assesses the financial literacy partners, products and services in order to provide credible personal money management education to post-secondary students, administrators, staff and faculty and other audiences as required.
  2. Works with faculty, students services staff, Institutional Effectiveness and other members of the college community to identify populations of students who are most at risk of not completing their educational goals (e.g. students who do not meet standards of progress) and designs and provides financial literacy activities to improve student retention.
  3. Provides curriculum and resources for faculty to encourage inclusion of financial literacy strategies into instructional delivery methods.
  4. Develops and implements strategies to support and foster financial literacy to students, staff and faculty. Develops partnerships with campus staff and student finance team to promote financial literacy initiatives/programs and provides training workshops.
  5. In collaboration with the Loan Default Coordinator develops communication and information strategies on the Financial Literacy Program for students, faculty, staff and the community.
  6. Ensures compliance with Title III and US Department of Education policies and grant guidelines. Prepares progress reports to document project activities. In collaboration with the Financial Aid Cohort Loan Default Coordinator and Title III Program Director, tracks and measures student outcomes (e.g. assessment of financial literacy learning).
  7. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed in an office environment. Extended periods of time sitting at a computer and performing keyboarding functions is required.

Physical Requirements

Physical exertion is not a normal requirement of this classification.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Education, Social Sciences or related field. Relevant experience may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis. Demonstrate experience developing and implementing financial education and instruction for post-secondary students is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:
  • Knowledge of financial literacy and counseling issues; and budgeting/debt reduction, problem-solving and intervention strategies;
  • Knowledge and understanding of applicable federal rules and regulations;
Skills in:
  • Skill in utilizing computer technology for communication, data gathering and reporting activities;
  • Skill in interpreting and effectively communicating rules and regulations to a diverse audience, both in one-on-one sessions and group presentations;
  • Skill in developing and presenting credible money management education to a diverse audience;
  • Skill in communicating effectively through oral and written mediums;
Ability to:
  • Ability to work with diverse academic, cultural and ethnic backgrounds of community college students and staff;
  • Ability to prioritize multiple projects and work in an environment with regular interruptions;
  • Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive data;
  • Ability to evaluate and implement Department of Education recommendations and regulations.

Reviewed: 12/2018

  • Established: 12/2010
  • Revised: 7/2011