Default/Debt Management Specialist

Hiring Department: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Reports To: Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships

Job Location: El Paso,
TX

Posting End Date: Open until filled. This posting may close once a sufficient number of qualified
applications have been received.

Hours: 40 hours per week, standard Monday- Friday 8:00am- 5:00pm, flexibility
is required on evenings and weekends.

FLSA status: Exempt

Earliest Start Date:  As
soon as possible.

Salary: $44,000.00 Annually

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of three references

The Default Management Specialist assists with the daily operations of all student loan default
prevention efforts. Provides quality customer service to all students and their families. Responsible for the implementation of default
prevention initiatives, which includes working with students to prevent student loan delinquency and default, discussing comprehensive
repayment options, and increasing financial awareness and wellness.  This position requires ongoing contact with students and working
closely with a third-party service.

Statement of Duties and Responsibilities: 

Responsible for
providing student loan counseling, information, and assistance to students in accordance with federal and state requirements and the
school’s default prevention program.  

Performs a variety of required activities to prevent borrowers, graduates and withdrawn
students from defaulting on federal student loans.

Monitors the University’s Cohort Default Rate (CDR) as it fluctuates throughout
the cohort year. Utilizes reporting systems to establish identifiable potential actions and/or solutions. 

Contributes to the
development of the default management plan by evaluating trends and establishing best practices.  

Develops and implements loan
repayment educational programs, focusing on “at-risk” student groups.

Contacts designated borrowers whose accounts are delinquent.
Assists borrowers who are not current making federal loan payments to avoid defaulting on the loans and provides options to lower or
postpone student loan payments based on the borrower’s individual need.

Able to multitask while handling a high volume of inbound
and outbound calls, emailing, texting and documenting student information. 

Identifies and communicates with partner
organizations to align activities in support of default prevention efforts.

Conducts Exit Counseling with assigned groups of
outgoing students to reinforce repayment responsibilities and options and increase exit counseling completion rates.

Works
collaboratively with other UTEP staff members, external loan servicers, appropriate vendors, and community agencies in developing strategies
directed at default reduction.

Confers with individuals and groups to disseminate information and conducts scholarship, financial
aid, default prevention, and financial literacy workshops at local high schools, on campus and throughout the community as requested. 

Informs borrowers of their rights and responsibilities under the Direct Loan and private educational loans. 

Maintains
a high degree of confidentiality due to the sensitive information.

Complies with all Federal, State and University policies.

Other duties as assigned.

Skills and Knowledge:

Knowledge of all Microsoft Office software and ability
to learn and use a variety of software systems.

Ability to analyze issues and suggest possible alternatives, recommendations for
improvements and options to address these issues.

Skill in resolving complex problems and student situations.

Ability to
interpret and communicate regulatory requirements in oral and written form to a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse
community.

Must be a self-starter, capable of establishing priorities, and able to work in a fast-paced environment.

Exceptional customer service abilities.

Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.

Strong interpersonal
skills. Must be personable, approachable and a team player.

Detail-oriented, accurate, organized and efficient.

Ability to
work independently, handle large volumes of work, and multi-task with frequent interruptions.

Ability to handle information in a
confidential and professional manner.

Working knowledge of U.S. Department of Education (Title IV) rules and regulations.

Ability to follow regulatory policy and related procedures.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This position may
supervise student workers. Must carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the University’s objectives, policies and
applicable laws.

To perform this job
successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of
the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Required Qualifications:

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Public Administration, Education, Social Sciences or related field.

and

Experience: Two years of related experience and/or training to the essential duties and responsibilities; or
equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years of proven customer service experience; preferably in financial aid.

To
be able to perform the duties of this position, the candidate must have access to several federal databases. To be granted access and
clearance to these federal systems, the incumbent cannot be in default on any type of federal student loan.

Preferred
Qualifications:

Four years of related experience and/or training to the essential duties and responsibilities.

Bilingual (English and Spanish)

The University of Texas at El Paso
(UTEP) is a comprehensive public research university that is increasing access to excellent higher education. We advance discovery of
public value and positively impact the health, culture, education, and economy of the community we serve.

UTEP is America’s leading
Hispanic-serving university. Located at the westernmost tip of Texas, where three states and two countries converge along the Rio Grande,
84% of our 26,000 students are Hispanic, and half are the first in their families to go to college. UTEP offers 170 bachelor’s, master’s and
doctoral degree programs at the only open-access, top-tier research university in America.

This is an especially exciting time to
join UTEP as it advances the goals of its 2030 Strategic Plan. Built around the institution’s core strengths-its location, its
people, its supportive culture, and its community partnerships-the plan lays out a bold vision for the next decade, aimed at maximizing the
University’s regional impact and national stature.

What we Offer:

• Benefit Package includes: Medical, Prescription, Life Insurance and Wellness
  platform
• Voluntary Benefits: Dental, Vision, Additional life insurance, UT Flex, Short and Long – term disability plans
• Retirement Programs
• Longevity Pay
• Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Paid Holidays
• Employee
  Discounts & Perks
• Employee Education Assistance program
• And much more! Visit our Benefits Summary Page for more information on our additional benefits.
   

Disclaimer:
Eligibility for perks and benefits may vary based on part-time or full-time employment.

Note: To the extent that this position
involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be
employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

The primary
accountabilities are intended to describe the general content of and requirements of this position and are not intended to be an exhaustive
statement of duties. Incumbents may perform all or some of the primary accountabilities listed. Specific tasks or responsibilities will be
documented in the incumbents’ performance objectives as outlined by the incumbents’ immediate supervisor or manager. This position is
security-sensitive and subject to Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
A valid driver’s license issued by the State where the applicant resides and insurability as defined in UTS 157 may be required to perform
the position’s essential functions.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of
those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to
enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must
frequently stand and walk. The employee must regularly sit; use hands to feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee
must lift and move up to 50 pounds.

The noise level for this work environment is usually moderate.

In keeping with its
access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to a learning and working environment that honors
the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and
staff who share our commitment.

The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not
discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual
orientation, or gender identity in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the
basis of sex includes an employee’s or prospective employee’s right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education
Amendments of 1972.  Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title
IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at [email protected], or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX,
 Kelly Hall, Room 223C. 

For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact
UTEP’s Equal Opportunity Office at [email protected].