Position Summary:
The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities to a diverse community of learners to thrive in an evolving world. The Pierce College District is committed to being an anti-racist institution; to truly be anti-racist we must work deliberately to eliminate barriers that have prevented the most promising and capable students from entering and thriving in college. We work to ensure that every student in the Pierce College District feels valued, respected, and inspired to achieve their goals. We provide a brave space for Black, Indigenous, Persons of Color (BIPOC), LGBTQ/QTPOC students, students with disabilities, and all students and staff to seek refuge, and an opportunity for them to cultivate their strengths, intelligence, resilience, and creativity.
Professional/Technical Focus: Pierce College seeks to fill one (1) position to advise for the Applied Business Degrees and Certificates.
Advancing Pierce College Mission: The Pierce College Professional/Technical Student Success Coach (SSC) works to advance the equity-centered mission of Pierce College through a purposeful focus on serving historically marginalized populations and creating pathways of access and opportunity for all students. This includes relational engagement to close college access and opportunity gaps and areas of inequity to increase retention, credential attainment, university transfer, and workforce readiness. The SSC will work in close collaboration with Pierce College’s Holistic Supports Services, Student Engagement Services, Enrollment Services, Access and Disability Services, Library Support Services, Workforce, Service Learning, and Academic Divisions to support student engagement and empowerment, increase navigational capital, and amplify student voices and identities.
Advancing Guided Pathways: Within the context of a Guided Pathways framework, the Student Success Coach will partner with Pierce College key contributors and students to ensure students have current clear curricular pathways to employment and further education; help students choose and enter their pathway and select a program that aligns with their passions; help students stay on the path; and ensure co-curricular learning is occurring on the student’s pathway with intentional outcomes.
This position reports to the Director for Advising and Advocacy at Fort Steilacoom and requires regular and consistent attendance. This position is eligible for up to two (2) days of telework per week.
Essential Functions:
Advising caseload management and Coaching
Partner with students to develop rapport and trustful relationships built on mutual respect and appreciation.
Partner with students in identifying a career pathway: empower students to establish concrete academic and career goals and take ownership of their journey.
Provide expertise in Pierce College policy, procedures, processes, and assigned career pathways.
Use available planning and evaluation tools to review students’ current and previous academic records to provide a plan for graduation, transfer, and career entry.
Partner with Student Life and other departments to ensure students have the opportunity to connect to culturally sustaining engagement opportunities.
Deploy holistic (academic and non-academic) resources when opportunities arise.
Collaborate with funding source teams to guide students through their funding options and develop a funding plan.
Promote removal of barriers to degree/program completion by assisting students in requesting Academic Credit for Prior Learning (ACPL) Assessments and connecting them with appropriate faculty for interview and evaluation.
Act as an active advocate for students if/when situations arise.
Retention management
Monitor academic progress of caseload by analyzing progress reports, satisfactory progress toward degree.
Identify current and potential needs and opportunities for resource referrals, and partner with students in gaining early access to key college resources (e.g. library, writing center, tutoring, basic needs resources, student life opportunities, and more.)
Supports students in making decisions that advance their learning along their career pathway to support student retention and completion (i.e. timely advising and registration; funding eligibility; understanding impacts of full-time, part-time, fluid enrollment; transfer planning; career entry; special admission program application criteria, etc.)
College Support
Actively supports, engages in, and works to advance Pierce College's goals for equity and commitment to antiracism to provide access and opportunity to our diverse community of learners.
Assists in the development, preparation, and updating of advising and coaching materials, specifically to advance the experience and success of marginalized and minoritized students.
Participates in career and college fairs to promote pathway programs and recruit prospective students.
Attends District Advising and Academic Division Meetings.
Participates in shared governance and committee work.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Education:
Bachelors degree in a related field of study OR equivalent years of experience working in business management, accounting, finance, construction management, economics, supply chain management, or related field. For a bachelors degree, the equivalent work experience is four (4) years.
Required Experience:
One (1) year of experience working in an educational environment providing direct student service (such as academic advising, financial aid, TRIO, multicultural services, or Workforce Education), or one-year experience in an agency or school setting managing a client caseload.
Experience providing culturally responsive services and assistance to students/clients with intersecting identifies and multicultural backgrounds
Demonstrated ability to assist individuals in problem identification and solution, identifying needs, and exploring options
Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software
Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality requirements
Experience in providing effective referrals for students or clients
Special Requirements:
The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will considered in determining the applicant's suitability to perform in this position.
Application Process
To be considered for this position, applicants must:
Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
Complete the online application profile and apply for the specific job opening at: https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/hr
Upload (attach) a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement. (Cover Letter)
Upload (attach) detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience.(Résumé)
Transcripts are not required in order to apply for this position; however, if you are selected for an interview, you will be asked to submit copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education. Please upload current copies of your transcripts, if available. Unofficial copies of all college and university transcripts must include degree received and conferral date. International transcripts must include a foreign transcript evaluation. For a list of approved credential evaluation services visit: www.naces.org/members.html (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)
Upload (attach) a list of at least three professional references with names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
Provide a response to the following question: (Supplemental Question) "How does this position impact the College's goal to support all students and efforts to move Black and Brown student excellence forward?"
Special Note: To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.