Whatcom Community College welcomes applications for a Career and Academic Advisor. This recruitment is for two Career and Academic Advisor positions. Each advisor specializes in one of the following areas of study: (1) allied health and (2) exploration (undecided).
The Career and Academic Advisor supports the educational access and success of Whatcom Community College (WCC) students from diverse backgrounds pursuing certificates, associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees. Reporting to the Associate Director for Academic Advising and Career Services, the advisor is responsible for providing comprehensive entry, progression, and completion support to students through culturally responsive, strengths-based academic advising, career exploration, college navigation, success coaching, and campus engagement opportunities. The advisor employs proactive strategies to foster connection, regular communication, and timely holistic support, including referrals to relevant campus and community resources. In addition to specializing in supporting students pursuing allied health fields or undecided students exploring potential programs of study, each advisor also supports students outside of their identified areas of specialty, as needed or assigned.
A successful candidate will:
-Engage in strategic enrollment, pathway, and advising high-impact practices that effectively support diverse learners.
-Collaborate with colleagues to advance comprehensive, proactive advising practices.
-Strengthen outreach, re-engagement, retention, and completion experiences for students in assigned area of specialty.
Responsibilities
-Support the development and implementation of student transition, advising, and pathway programming for prospective, new, continuing, and returning students.
-Contribute to the integration of a strengths-based, culturally responsive approach to serving WCC's diverse student population.
-Provide group and individual career and academic advising sessions, student engagement opportunities, and high-impact practices in person, online, and via phone. Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required.
-Explore academic and career goals and personal strengths with students to identify individualized strategies for success.
-Connect students with employment and transfer resources and opportunities.
-Collaborate with key stakeholders to continuously improve processes and student experiences related to career and academic advising, guided pathways, college transition and navigation, campus resources, and student engagement.
-Develop and maintain productive working relationships across the campus community in support of career and academic advising and completion strategies.
-Provide direct student support in Orca Central (one-stop center) and the virtual front desk, as needed.
-Represent the College at professional meetings and serve on committees, as needed.
-Perform other duties as assigned and/or delegated by the Director or Associate Director for Academic Advising and Career Services.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
-Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution or equivalent education and experience.
-Demonstrated experience working in a diverse environment, inclusive of people of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender/sexuality, and ethnic backgrounds and identities.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Master's degree in student affairs administration, education, counseling, or other closely related field from an accredited institution.
-Experience providing career or academic advising, success coaching, college navigation, or related student support in a higher education setting.
-Ability to use a personal computer, Microsoft Office products, and database programs.
-Excellent verbal, listening, writing, problem-solving and interpersonal communication skills.
-Bilingual skills (Spanish/English language preferred).
Salary:
-This is a 12-month, full-time AFT (American Federation of Teachers) Staff represented position with an annual salary range based upon a range of $53,045.00-56,758.00.
Benefit Package:
-The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance and a retirement plan.
Accrues 8 hours per month of sick leave and 14.67 hours per month vacation leave.
Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:
-Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the PSLF program. If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
-Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
Start Date:
-As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.
Application Due Date:
-For guaranteed consideration of application materials, application packets should be received by Monday, July 28th, 2025 at 5:00 pm. Position open until filled.
How To Apply
A completed application consists of an online application and:
-Cover letter which includes a diversity statement providing examples of (1) how you have integrated equity and inclusion in your work and (2) how you will promote equitable practices in education through this position.
-Current resume.
-Official transcripts of any degrees listed as part of the minimum requirements will be required upon hire, but not as part of the application process.
To apply please visit us at:
https://www.whatcom.edu/job-info