SFS Data Analyst Operations

Job no: 526797
Position type: Staff Full Time
Benefit Status: Benefited-Union
Campus: UMass Lowell
Department: Student Financial Services
Salary: Salary commensurate with experience and grade/range
Applications Open: Mar
Applications Close: Apr

General Summary of Position:

The position of SFS Data Analyst Operations, Reporting & Collections is responsible for auditing, reconciling and managing student accounts to minimize financial loss. The Analyst will need an in-depth understanding of the student lifecycle, including processes such as registration, financial aid, refunds, payment plans, and policy enforcement. Additionally, the SFS Analyst's role provides training and process documentation as required and develops and supports the department's reporting needs. The position is responsible for providing functionally oriented technical support and statistical/metrics analysis to meet a wide range of informational requirements for the Department.

1. Works closely with the Collections Team to provide support for their initiatives:

Focusing on earlier identification and intervention of "at risk" accounts before the start of the collection process.

Maintaining accurate and detailed records of delinquent student accounts including proper coding, notes, holds and pre-collection actions for reporting purposes.

Analyzing payment trends and identifying areas for improvement in the collections process.

Reviewing collection processes to make recommendations for streamlining where possible, eliminating manual processes where applicable.

Analyzing financial data to identify students that have or will have financial aid adjustments based on mid-term/end-of-term grades.

Generates and distributes regular internal reports related to collection activities.

2. Develop student financial reports from the ERP Student database to assist staff.

Translate user requests into report specifications.

Identify and document data issues.

Extract data and produce information specific to requests.

Validate report output for accuracy.

Troubleshoot report issues when identified by report users.

Create/maintain report documentation and a library of all reports created with description of what each report is used for.

3. Assist the Systems Analyst for Operations and Reporting with building and maintaining all SF tuition and fee tables each semester for all students, Graduate, Undergraduate and On-Line and Continuing Studies.

Provide analytical and technical support to ensure the accurate and timely calculation of tuition and fees.

Work closely with UITS (University Information Technology Services) central office, Registrar's Office, Financial Aid Office and Office of Residence Life to establish and test monthly billing schedules.

Independently analyze and research fiscal and data discrepancies and initiate corrective action.

Provides system support for daily Student Financial operations and activities.

Participates in and supports data needs for reconciliations and audit procedures.

4. Liaison with an outside 3 rd party vendor responsible for facilitating student payments, payment plans, and collection both domestic and international.

Compare PS SFS financial data with 3 rd Party vendor to ensure accuracy and integrity of financial data.

Test all upgrades, modifications and new enhancements against the current version of software as well as against the ERP system to ensure functionality is working correctly and as expected without compromising current offerings to students and families.

Make recommendations to the SFS leadership team on the validity of the enhancement. Is it a good fit for the students and the campus.

Make recommendations for improvements on the products or new products that will benefit the campus.

5. Represents the SFS Office and actively participates, when required, in the SFS core team meetings made up of representatives from BDL (Boston, Dartmouth and Lowell) as well as representatives from UITS central office. Participate in user group meetings, workshops, webinars, conference in-state/out of state.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

Bachelor's degree in business, computer science or a related field

2 - 3 years full time experience working with relational databases and with report-writing software (i.e. SUMMIT, OBIEE - Oracle Business Intelligence, Tableau).

Or in lieu of Bachelor's degree, will consider candidates with HS Diploma or GED/equivalent AND 5 - 7 years of full time experience working with relational databases in higher education in a professional capacity with operations and reporting.

SQL Experience: Demonstrated ability to write, run and modify Peoplesoft queries using a variety of tables to pull large amounts of data for operational purposes and within strict guidelines.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (especially Excel, Access and Visio and Power Point)

Demonstrated willingness to acquire new skill.

Proven ability to prioritize responsibilities and meet deadlines in a consistent, timely and professional manner

Demonstrated ability to re-prioritize projects on short notice

Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality

Preferred Qualifications:

Higher Education work Experience

Functional Experience with Peoplesoft Student Administration System

Working knowledge of at least on the following programming languages: Python, Java or another modern coding language.

Demonstrated knowledge of a variety of computer application software

Experience with CRM (i.e. Salesforce) and the ability to data mine information as requested

Ability to gather information from a wide variety of resources, analyze the information, summarize, and present the information is a useful understandable manner

Ability to document operational procedures, technical specifications and requirements

Extremely high attention to detail, customer friendly, adaptable to change and ability to handle a high volume of work in a fast-paces environment

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This is an SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P17.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately. The application deadline is Friday, April 11, 2025.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required during the application process.

Posting updated 4/4/2025.

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