Overall Role & Responsibility: The AIEF Higher Education Coordinator oversees the promotion and implementation of PWNA’s post-secondary services aimed at enhancing opportunities and resources for Indigenous students pursuing academic goals. Key duties include managing outreach efforts and executing the AIEF scholarship program, collaborating closely with PWNA’s Finance and Development teams to oversee special funds, grants, and programs that align with PWNA’s goal of fostering strong, self-sufficient Native American communities. Additionally, this role serves as the central point of contact for all AIEF Higher Education services. 

Position Specific Responsibilities:

•  Administration of undergraduate and graduate awards to post-secondary institutions throughout the United States; serves as a liaison between awarded scholars and the scholar’s institution financial aid office.
• Administer and maintain the Scholarship Management software to assess applicant and scholar status (achievement, risk/failure and appeal processes, etc.). 
• Monitors and manages all student data, documents and reporting, adhering to confidentiality protocols to safeguard student information. 
• Facilitate timely and ongoing communication with potential, awarded and denied applicants regarding deadlines, requirements, and expectations (including needs assessment, retention, transcripts, birthday and graduation cards, and midterm gift cards). 
• Utilize the approved criterion to maintain consistent selection protocols to effectively process all scholarship applications consistently and fairly.
• Development of specifically requested reports for internal team members using any of the data points collected in scholarship management software (graduation, retention and drop rates, demographic, etc.).
• Responsible for all data entry and tracking of AIEF work for use in monthly statistics, educational trends and status reports to Senior Leadership/Board of Directors.
• Work with Development and Communication departments on social media, blogs, newsletters, calendars, and marketing campaigns with culturally relevant messaging for potential recipients, educational partners and donors.
• Collaborate with PWNA Program Development Content Coordinators, Director of Communications/PR highlighting services and scholars to support company-wide campaigns and online/print content as needed. 
• Assist the Finance, Grants and Development departments with management of AIEF special funding, donors and grants; monitor objectives, deliverables and expenses ensuring compliance with all grant/donor guidelines.
• Event planning from inception to execution: orchestrate annual objective and subjective scholarship committee activities, venue negotiation, staff and committee itineraries, travel, reimbursement, group activities, and any gifts or contracts. 
• Foster collaboration across departments to ensure cohesive execution of strategic initiatives while communicating strategic goals and ensuring alignment and commitment.
• Create recruitment and outreach materials designed to welcome new PWNA staff and educate collaborative partners, considering a variety of learning preferences.
• Plan and execute scholarship outreach efforts to assist Indigenous educational associations (such as AIHEC), schools, and groups seeking support for their specific populations
• Coordinate with Material Services warehouse team to identify items for box assembly and organize timely shipping of bi-annual care packages to all awarded scholars (welcome and holiday). 
• Collaborate with supervisor and Finance personnel to create budget forecasts for yearly review, and oversee, document, and manage expenditures.
• As funding permits: Recruitment of grant making opportunities to post-secondary institutions serving Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian students.
• Operationalize developments through advisor or mentoring services to support student success through available partnerships. 

Secondary Functions:

• Participate in service activities, as required
• Lifting up to 50 pounds
• Other duties as assigned 

Work Conditions: 

• Monday - Thursday: 10 hr. workday; including Friday and weekends as requested.
• Work is performed under the direction of the LTS Director or LTS Program Manager with the majority of work performed independently.
• Travel required with typical office environment otherwise; (telework may be authorized as appropriate)
• Infrequent work in a warehouse environment and around warehouse equipment 

 Education/Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred with a minimum of three years related experience in education, networking, or grant management.
• Experience working with American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations preferred.

Job Skills Required:

• Gain a complete understanding of program services and the issues those services address.
• Skills include establishing and nurturing relationships through clear verbal communication and persuasive writing, as well as delivering effective presentations to groups. 
• Proficient in engaging with Indigenous students, parents, higher education institutions, and personnel with cultural knowledge, and respect.
• Ability to read and interpret budgets and strong general mathematical skills.
• Strong analytical, interpersonal, facilitation and listening skills. 
• Able to utilize data and evaluate the short and long-term impacts of decisions while considering financial, operational, and strategic outcomes before making decisions.
• Effectively balance team and individual responsibilities, foster an environment of constructive feedback, and contribute to a positive and collaborative team mindset. 
• Strong keyboarding, computer and IT skills, specifically in the Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.) and database applications (WizeHive, Salesforce, Acumatica, Paylocity, Monday.com).
• Comprehensive knowledge of standard office practices, technology, equipment and techniques.