ESA Program Specialist - Denver, United States - ACE Scholarships

Description

Job Description

Position: ESA Program Specialist

About ACE Scholarships

ACE is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, founded in 2000 in Denver, Colorado, to provide low-income children with equal access to quality K-12 private schools through partial scholarship support. Over the past 24 years, ACE has provided more than 80,000 scholarships worth over $212 million. This school year, ACE is serving over 14,000 children in Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming, and is actively pursuing other expansion opportunities with the support of a national funding partner. For more information visit the ACE website

ACE Scholarships has always been an advocate of school choice. We are proud to be the program administrator for The Utah Fits All (UFA) Scholarship Program. UFA offers tax free scholarship funds up to $8,000 to eligible K-12 students to use toward eligible education related expenses. The scholarship funds will be deposited in an education savings account (ESA) and accessed using a digital wallet. Funds can be used to pay for approved education services and materials, including private school tuition and fees, tutoring services, after school programs and summer camps, materials and curriculum costs, transportation and more. For more information visit the UFA website at

Our Mission?is to provide children of lower-income families with scholarships to private schools in grades K-12 and to advocate for expanded school choice.

Our Vision:?That every child has equal access to a quality education.?

Our Values:

ACE Founding Principles: Our founding principles are the foundation of ACE and our North Star. We honor ACE's founders by remaining committed to these principles, and we passionately advocate for the Mission and Vision these principles support.

Accountability: We embrace personal responsibility by taking ownership of our work and focusing on results. We expect both to give and to receive honest feedback.

Innovation: We know ideas matter. We prefer the risks and rewards the come with creativity, to the certainty that attends stagnation.

Adaptability: We position ourselves to take advantage of opportunities, embracing strategic and operational change when it makes our work more impactful.

Optimism: We believe our best days are ahead, and we embrace a forward-thinking mindset. We will make mistakes, but we will remain cheerful in the face of adversity and give people the benefit of the doubt.

Kindness: We value everyone on our team, respect differences and trust one another. This requires courage and strength, as it involves celebrating and giving our undivided attention to others.

Our Founding Principles:

1. The American public education system is flawed
2. Free enterprise and democracy work
3. Parents know the best education environment for their kids
4. Private schools offer great value and have open seats
5. All people are created equal and deserve an equal chance to pursue the American Dream

Position Overview

The ESA Program Specialist will be responsible for the administration of the ACE Education Scholarship Account (ESA) Program in designated states, including but not limited to the review of student and provider applications. This will encompass the initial application process, annual renewal of applications, and approval of qualified expenses to participating providers. As the primary contact for students, families, and service providers, this position requires a high level of customer service with professional communication over phone, email and in-person. The ESA Program Specialist will be provided training on the ESA Program and will be responsible for maintaining a working knowledge of the program's key components, including the processing of applications and program implementation related to application, maintenance, and termination of ESA accounts. This role will provide an opportunity to learn about operations, account management, marketing, education, and law and policy. ACE Scholarships serves many English and Spanish speaking families and communities.

Primary Job duties and responsibilities

1. Administer the ESA Application Process

• Review electronic applications within predetermined timeline, and approve, deny, or request additional information as needed.
• Review and approve purchases made with ESA funds through a digital wallet platform to ensure expenditures qualify.
• Manage account related materials, ensuring they are current and properly saved and stored.
• Identify and refer lead opportunities to team members.

2. Generalized Customer Service and Organizational Support

• Function as an informed representative of the ESA Program
• Provide clear, timely and accurate information upon request to families and participating entities inquiring about and participating in the program.
• Provide excellent customer service to participating families and providers in order to assist with problem resolution (respond to email, answer calls, and resolve inquiry tickets including technical and account related troubleshooting).
• Communicate with supervisor in a timely manner regarding all relevant matters.
• Support community engagement efforts when needed with events that promote program information to potential and current participants (taking inventory of and mailing creative and marketing materials; event preparation, attendance and follow up, etc.)
• Participate in projects to improve processes and enhance the client experience.
• Other duties as assigned.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and passion for school choice and ACE Scholarship's mission
• Strong customer-centric philosophy; ability to maintain professionalism, patience and empathy when resolving issues with participants.
• Experience in program implementation and demonstrated critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Adaptable, flexible and able to thrive in a dynamic work environment.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to stay organized
• Knowledge and experience in Microsoft Office Suite, high comfort level with database systems, and fluency with basic computer skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects and activities
• Enthusiastic self-starter with the ability to identify problems and contribute towards implementing solutions
• Ability to communicate and adjust workflow to accommodate families and providers during seasons of high volume
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English, Bilingual in Spanish is desired but not required.?

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience in customer service, non-profit administration, call center, hospitality, or other related fields
• Personal and professional integrity
• Strong communication and customer service skills
• Excellent professional appearance and presentation
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills
• Ability to travel out of state (>10%)

Location, travel and Reporting

• In-office work environment at ACE Scholarships' Denver Office (Greenwood Village, CO/Denver Tech Center). Up to 20% hybrid flexibility after training period and upon manager approval.
• Reports to the onsite ESA State Manager

FLSA Status
Non-exempt, Full Time

Compensation

Competitive annual salary of $55,500 - $67,000 (DOE) and benefit package, including medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, 401(k) with 6% corporate match with immediate vesting; plus other benefits.

Compensation details: Yearly Salary

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