Job Details

Financial Literacy Specialist

Position Number: 6421028
Location: Cheney, WA
Position Type: Financial Aid

Financial Literacy Specialist

About Eastern Washington University:

Eastern Washington University, a regional, comprehensive public university with an enrollment of over 10,000 students, is one of six state-funded four-year institutions of higher education in Washington, each governed by its own board of trustees. As the regions polytechnic, we are recognized for our distinctive approach to hands-on learning that leads to in-demand careers. EWUs 300-acre main campus is located in Cheney, a community of 12,000 residents 16 miles southwest of Washingtons second largest city, Spokane. Eastern also offers programs in downtown Spokane at the innovative, energy-efficient Catalyst building, the SIERR building which is a hub for research, development and advancement of health sciences, and at Riverpoint, a campus shared with Washington State University. In addition, EWU programs can be found at select locations throughout the state, aligned with the needs of the community. Eastern contributes to the vitality of the region and the state through its wide array of bachelors and masters degrees in over 100 fields of study, as well as applied doctorates in physical therapy and educational leadership, offering accessible pathways to career success and personal development to students of all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

Eastern Washington University has been recognized for its commitment to helping undergraduate students learn, grow and succeed by Colleges of Distinction, a nationally trusted resource guide for college-bound students. The honor recognizes Eastern as a 24-25 College of Distinction (CoD).

Money magazine recently named EWU as one of its Best Colleges in America 2024.

Tribal Land Acknowledgement
At Eastern Washington University, we are proud to recognize the land of the Spokane Tribe and other tribes that shared the land for fishing and trading. The Spokane Tribe, Coeur dAlene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe, and the Nez Perce Tribe are integral to the cultural heritage and traditional ethnological knowledge of the land.

Native American heritage is woven into the fabric of our institution, enriching our community through tribal culture, historical teachings, and tribal language, and is embraced daily by students, staff, faculty, and the Eastern Washington community.

At EWU, we are committed to reflecting on and acknowledging the historical injustices of genocide and the forced removal of tribal peoples and all our relatives. EWU recognizes and honors tribal sovereignty and government to government relationships with tribes.

From here forward, EWU will remain committed to supporting, honoring, and recognizing the Native American community and the dynamic contributions that are shared with our university.

Job Summary:

We are currently seeking skilled and team-oriented applicants for the following position:

The Financial Literacy Specialist is a student-centered professional responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating financial education and outreach initiatives that empower students to make informed financial decisions. This position plays a critical role in supporting students-particularly those new to managing personal finances-as they navigate financial aid, student loans, work-study, campus employment, budgeting, and financial planning.

Working collaboratively with the Financial Aid office, Student Affairs, Career Services, and campus departments, the coordinator provides workshops, one-on-one coaching, and online tools to enhance students financial knowledge and confidence. The goal is to improve students financial well-being and help them better utilize financial resources to meet their academic and personal goals, reduce financial stress, and support persistence to graduation. This position requires passion for student success, strong communication skills, and a dedication to promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and lead engaging workshops, presentations, and campaigns on budgeting, managing student loans, understanding financial aid, credit, savings, and other financial topics.
Provide individual financial coaching and advising to students, particularly to students who express financial need.
Determine student needs, identify types of financial problems/difficulties that individual students are experiencing, and refer them to appropriate services.
Collaborate with campus offices (e.g., Financial Aid, Housing, Career Services, Student Employment) to create a coordinated financial literacy program.
Support student employees in understanding paychecks, taxes, budgeting, and savings.
Track participation and assess the impact of financial literacy efforts on student outcomes.
Develop and maintain online resources, tools, and communications that promote financial wellness.
Coordinate with campus partners to integrate financial literacy into orientation programs, first-year seminars, and advising.
Assist students with understanding the long-term impact of financial decisions related to loans, debt management, and repayment options.
Support the promotion and understanding of student employment opportunities as part of a students financial and academic success strategy.
Access, review, and maintain student records. Maintain privacy and confidentiality of all student information.
Track financial challenges facing students and propose changes to campus policies and procedures.
Build and sustain educational relationships with students that support student retention, persistence, degree completion, and financial well-being, and student/university connection.

EWU is committed to supporting and promoting a workforce that is welcoming to all and encourages applicants of all backgrounds to apply for this position.

The salary for this position is $40,308 (minimum) up to $52,476. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills. In addition to salary, the university offers a comprehensive benefits package including health insurance and disability insurance and retirement. In addition, EWU offers generous vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays per year and fringe benefits, such as tuition waiver for employees and eligible family members, discounted EWU sports tickets, full access to our campus workout facilities at a minimum fee and free transportation through STA buses. For additional information regarding insurance benefits please see our Benefits page: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/benefits/insurance/ .

Applications are open and accepted until recruitment is closed. Screening of applications will begin on August 18, 2025. A three-day notice will be provided prior to closure of recruitment. All materials will be held in strictest confidence; references will not be contacted until candidates have been notified.

Eastern Washington University provides an inclusive, equitable, and transformative learning experience, driving the pursuit of knowledge with affordable academic excellence.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelors degree in finance, education, counseling, social work, or related field
Experience working with students in a college/university setting
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and data management systems.
Experience using student information systems (e.g., Banner, Navigate, Degree Works).
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Strong problem solving and decision-making abilities.
Ability to work with diverse student populations and provide inclusive, trauma-informed support.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters degree in student affairs, higher education, counseling, or related field
Experience with financial counseling, coaching, or financial aid.
Familiarity with federal student aid programs, work-study, and financial wellness best practices.

Other Skills and Abilities:

Job Duties:
Other Responsibilities

Work in partnership with university colleagues to enhance student participation and engagement and community impact efforts.
Interpret university policies, procedures, and requirements to students.
Represent EWU on campus and community committees
Assist with ad hoc or special projects, and provide accurate analysis of data and efficient completion of assignments.

Percent of Time: 15

Marketing & Communications

Develop promotional materials, newsletters, and social media content to highlight financial literacy and wellbeing efforts.
Develop and manage the financial literacy and wellbeing website and maintain up-to-date information.
Provide reports and presentations to university leadership and stakeholders on financial literacy and wellbeing impact.

Percent of Time: 15

Program Development and Management and Outreach

Create and deliver dynamic financial literacy and wellbeing presentations to students and their families in support of goals
Determine student needs, identify types of financial problems/difficulties that individual students are experiencing, and refer them to appropriate services.
Meet and collaborate with others to identify and target at risk groups with additional communication and outreach.
Follow established outreach guidelines and plans.
Attend training opportunities in order to stay abreast of changing regulations, adherence to regulations, and enhance service to students.
Track participation and assess the impact of financial literacy efforts on student outcomes.

Percent of Time: 50

Counseling and Coaching

Provide one-on-one counseling in person, through e-mail and over the phone to applicants, students, parents and other community members. Areas of counseling include the financial aid application process and eligibility, scholarship processes and eligibility, satisfactory academic progress, budget development, debt management, and University policies and procedures.
Provide guidance on resolving problems by explaining complex and detailed financial aid information in terms parents and students can more easily understand, and serves as liaison to other various campus and community partners.
Follow documented policies and procedures to ensure responsive and successful customer service.

Percent of Time: 20
Conditions of Employment:

This position, during the course of university employment will be involved in the receipt of, or accountability for, university funds or other items of value, as well as the unsupervised access with the developmentally disabled, vulnerable adults or children under the age of 16. The offer of employment is contingent upon successful completion and passing of a background check prior to beginning employment.

All new employees must comply with EWU Immunization Policy 602-02 and provide proof of immunity or vaccination to MMR before beginning work at EWU. Waivers for the immunization requirements are available for medical or sincerely held religious beliefs.

This position is covered by the Public School Employees of Washington Collective Bargaining Agreement: https://in.ewu.edu/hr/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2021/07/Eastern-Washington-University-PSE-CBA-2021-2024-FINAL.pdf

After starting employment, employees will complete the required training. Online training can be accessed at https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/orientation/ or complete the training in person or via Zoom. In person and Zoom training opportunities will be posted on InsideEWU and are listed on our Human Resources site: https://inside.ewu.edu/hr/training/

Note: Interviews might be conducted via Zoom (camera must be enabled). If so, candidates must be able to demonstrate competence using Zoom and other technologies.

Salary Information:

The salary for this position is $40,308 (minimum) up to $52,476. Where the hired candidate will begin within this range is dependent on education, experience, and skills.

Posting Date: 07/28/2025
Open Until Further Notice: No
Closing Date:
Screening to Begin: immediately

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Submit your application materials through our online applications portal provided below. If you are unable to submit through the applicant portal, please contact Human Resources Services at (509) 359-2381.

To apply, visit https://jobs.hr.ewu.edu/postings/13798