Business Analyst, Associate

Job Summary/Basic Function:

Work alongside personnel in the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships to maximize the effective use of enterprise applications, financial aid systems, data, and technology. The Business Analyst, Associate supports and analyzes systems including Oracle Student Financial Aid Cloud (SFA Cloud), PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, U.S. Department of Education systems, and other internal and external applications supporting financial aid and scholarship operations.

The Business Analyst, Associate serves as a technical and functional resource for the Financial Aid and Scholarships office by investigating system and data issues, analyzing business processes, developing and evaluating solutions, supporting system changes and implementations, conducting testing, creating documentation, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy, and the student experience.

The Business Analyst, Associate acts as a liaison between technical and functional staff in Financial Aid and Scholarships, Boise State's Office of Information Technology, Oracle, other vendors, and functional partners across the University. The position translates business needs and regulatory requirements into functional and technical solutions and communicates complex system and data concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Please note: this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Department Overview:

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Department at Boise State University helps students and their families navigate the process of funding a college education. This office is a central resource for all types of financial assistance, ensuring students understand their options and have the support they need to afford their education. We also foster a respectful, collaborative, and results-driven work environment where all employees are encouraged to develop professionally, support team efforts, and take accountability for their actions.

Level Scope:

Entry-level professional with limited or no prior experience to contribute on a project or work team. Incumbent learns to use professional concepts to resolve problems of limited scope and complexity under close supervision while achieving day-to-day objectives. Works on developmental assignments that are initially routine in nature, requiring limited judgment and decision making. This level is typically focused on self development. Requires theoretical knowledge through specific education and training.

Essential Functions:

60% of Time — Systems Analysis, Administration, Troubleshooting, and Improvement

• Support the administration and ongoing operation of Oracle Student Financial Aid Cloud (SFA Cloud), PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, and related financial aid functionality, including investigating functional, technical, and data-related issues.

• Create and utilize queries, reports, and other data-analysis methods to investigate business problems, validate data, identify trends, and support the evaluation of solutions.

• Analyze system functionality, configuration, business rules, integrations, and data to investigate issues, determine potential causes, and recommend appropriate solutions or escalation paths.

• Participate in the implementation, testing, and evaluation of new functionality, defects, patches, fixes, upgrades, regulatory releases, and other system changes, coordinating assigned activities with affected stakeholders.

• Assist leadership, team leads, OIT, vendors, and functional partners with gathering information, documenting requirements, evaluating solutions, and supporting system and process changes.

• Support process improvement efforts by gathering information, analyzing current processes, identifying potential opportunities, and assisting with implementation of approved improvements.

• Provide functional support and communicate the status of assigned projects, system issues, testing activities, open tickets, and resolutions to staff and leadership.

15% of Time — Enterprise Systems, Integrations, and External Applications

• Assist with oversight, administration, troubleshooting, testing, and integration of systems supporting Financial Aid and Scholarships, including ELM, Perceptive Content, COD, NSLDS, SAIG, Blackbaud, and other internal and external applications.

• Analyze data flows, interfaces, file processing, and system integrations to identify and resolve issues and support accurate and timely information exchange.

• Coordinate with OIT, vendors, federal partners, and functional stakeholders to investigate and resolve issues that require additional technical or external support.

10% of Time — Policy, Regulatory, and Business Process Analysis

• Research and interpret federal, state, and University policies, regulations, business rules, and requirements affecting financial aid systems and processes.

• Assist with evaluating regulatory and institutional changes to determine their potential impact on systems, configurations, processes, reporting, and data.

• Assist leadership and subject matter experts with translating business and regulatory requirements into functional requirements, testing activities, documentation, and system changes.

10% of Time — Training, Documentation, and Knowledge Management

• Provide training and serve as a technical and functional resource to Financial Aid and Scholarships staff within established areas of knowledge and responsibility.

• Develop and maintain procedures, user guides, system documentation, process documentation, testing documentation, and other resources for end users and technical partners.

• Document system behavior, troubleshooting steps, known issues, and solutions to support consistent knowledge and effective system use across the team.

5% of Time — Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with demonstrated curiosity and the ability to investigate issues, identify root causes, evaluate alternatives, and develop practical solutions.

• Demonstrated ability to approach unfamiliar problems methodically, ask questions, research available information, and learn new systems, technologies, processes, and subject matter.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently on assigned responsibilities, manage multiple priorities, and remain organized in a complex and deadline-driven environment.

• Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing technology, priorities, processes, and regulatory requirements; exercise sound judgment when evaluating issues and determining when additional expertise or escalation is needed.

• Demonstrated ability to learn and understand complex enterprise applications, integrations, business processes, and technical concepts.

• Working knowledge of technical and data-analysis tools, with the ability and willingness to develop proficiency in tools such as SQL, spreadsheets, reporting applications, APIs, or scripting languages.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain system and technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Ability to collaborate with functional staff, technical staff, leadership, vendors, and external partners and to document processes, system functionality, testing, and solutions.

• Ability to understand and apply policies, procedures, regulatory requirements, and business rules to systems and processes.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree and or relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with:

• SQL and Oracle databases

• Excel or similar data-analysis tools

• APIs, integrations, or scripting

• Enterprise applications or student information systems

• Software testing or quality assurance; process improvement

• Higher education, financial aid, or other regulated environments.

Physical Demands:

Some positions may involve frequent bending, moving, lifting, and carrying material weighing up to 50 pounds; some positions may involve moving, lifting, and carrying material weighing up to 70 pounds; standing up to eight hours each day; working in all weather conditions; exposure to high noise levels and require wearing hearing protection.

Salary and Benefits:

$49,732.80 annually. Boise State University provides a best-in-class benefits package, including (but not limited to):

• 12 paid holidays AND the University is closed between Christmas and New Year's (requires use of 3 vacation days)

• Between 12-24 annual paid vacation days for full-time Professional and Classified staff depending on position type and years of service

• 10.76% University contribution to your ORP retirement fund (Professional and Faculty employees)

• 11.96% University contribution to your PERSI retirement fund (Classified employees)

• Excellent medical, dental and other health-related insurance coverages

• Tuition fee waiver benefits for employees, spouses and their dependents

• See our full benefits page for more information!

Required Application Materials:

• Resume

• Cover Letter

• Three Professional References

About Us:

Nestled along the Boise River and steps from the state capitol, Boise State University fosters a vibrant and welcoming academic environment that fuels student and employee success. We’re a trailblazing institution, nationally recognized for our innovative spirit and commitment to positive impact on Idaho and beyond.

We’re building a thriving community of faculty and staff whose unique skills, experiences, and perspectives come together to create a rich and rewarding academic experience. Applications from all backgrounds are welcomed.

Learn more about Boise State and living in Idaho’s Treasure Valley at https://www.boisestate.edu/about/