Who we are

Founded in 1824, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is the first technological research university in the United States. We bring creativity, science, and technology together to address society's greatest challenges. We cultivate exceptional problem-solvers by immersing them in a culture of rigorous inquiry, disciplined practice, and hands-on application. Our strategic plan, RPI Forward, charts a pioneering course for the next era of RPI. Explore the RPI Forward plan. ↗︎

Nestled on a beautiful 275-acre campus in upstate NY, RPI is home to five schools, 32 research centers, three makerspaces, an observatory, one of the world’s fastest supercomputers, and the IBM Quantum System One - the first university-based quantum computer in the world. 

With top notch employee health and retirement benefits, Rensselaer offers its full-time employees a generous paid time off program, tuition remission, and opportunities for career growth. 

Job Summary

The Operations Coordinator, Bursar’s Office will support the Associate Bursar and Bursar as a student-facing staff member. The Coordinator will assist students and parents with student account inquiries via telephone, email and in-person and will be required to interact with other departments to resolve issues. The Operations Coordinator will conduct outreach to enrolled students to assist with payment of delinquent student account balances. The Coordinator will be cross trained in the duties of other Operations Coordinators to promote business continuity.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in finance, accounting, or student services
• Familiarity with automated accounting systems
• Proficient with MS Office Suite or similar word processing, spreadsheet, presentation development program, email and database applications.
• Ability to work with sensitive information in a confidential and diplomatic manner
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize

Relevant combinations of education, training and experience may be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in finance, accounting, or related field preferred.
• Experience in higher education
• Ellucian Banner experience 

Minimum Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with automated accounting systems
• Commitment to customer service
• Attention to detail
• Proficient with MS Office Suite or similar word processing, spreadsheet, presentation development program, email and database applications.
• Ability to work with sensitive information in a confidential and diplomatic manner
• Ability to prioritize, plan, and organize
• Ability to work independently without constant supervision
• Ability to adapt to change quickly
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to interact with others in a professional and effective manner
• Ability to manage multiple projects at the same time
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work with a wide range of diverse internal and external constituencies

Job Duties

• Answer telephone and email inquiries from students and families. Analyze student account information and provide explanations of student account status. Interpret student financial status which may include answering registration, enrollment, grading and graduation issues. Use Banner as well as other applications.
• Interact with Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Services personnel, state agencies, tuition payment plan providers and alternative loan lenders to find answers to student inquiries.
• Advise and guide Operations Specialists on all aspects of their daily operations when needed. Perform the tasks within the customer service area at any given time. Provide back-up support when needed in processing student payment transactions in a timely manner on various Banner Student AR and Finance forms Current and thorough knowledge of the customer service duties is required. Provide back-up support when needed in processing all RPI departmental transactions. This includes disbursing petty cash reimbursements to faculty, staff and students. Review end-of-day reconciliation of all front-counter transactions/cashier close-out.
• Provide service counter coverage as needed for lunch periods and any scheduled or unscheduled days off by Operations Specialist staff.
• Assist with daily cash recording reconciliation using the CashPro system.
• Assist with third party sponsorship billing and RPI at Work accounts
• Assist as needed in other Bursar’s Office functions such as but not limited to: active and inactive student billing, student refunds, posting NSF checks, employee scholarship and waiver adjustments and student loan related activities.
• Conduct outreach to students who are delinquent in payment of their current semester charges.
• Assist the Associate Bursar and/or Bursar with the financial leave of absence process.
• Participate in Student Orientation and other related events to provide information on Bursar’s Office operations.

Shift

Business Hours: Monday - Friday

Starting Salary/Rate

Expected hiring range: $21.00 -$24.00 

Pay transparency disclosure: The selected candidate’s salary will be determined based on factors that include the available budget, internal equity, and the final candidate’s qualifications, experience, education and other job-related credentials. This hiring range is provided as Rensselaer’s good faith estimate of the expected hiring range at the time of posting.

Application instructions

Follow the on-screen prompts to create a brief online profile. Please be ready to upload your resume and cover letter.

If you need assistance with the online application process, please contact careers@rpi.edu.

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Total Compensation and Benefits Information

Rensselaer’s Total Compensation Program is designed to provide stable pay growth, a comprehensive and affordable benefits package, and a comprehensive and affordable retiree medical and prescription plan. Our goal is to provide you and your family with a comprehensive health and welfare program as an umbrella of financial security and protection during your employment. For more information, please visit Benefits | Human Resources (rpi.edu).