Program Pathway Specialist - Business, Paralegal, and Technology

 Priority Consideration Date: April 28, 2024

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is the third largest city in Washington State with a thriving and diverse community of over 200,000 residents. Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to the Puyallup Reservation to make way for settlers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of this community.  Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. TCC is committed to increasing Native visibility by developing more culturally responsive curriculum.  
 
 Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. We are committed to infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives and experiences of the Black community into our curriculum. We are examining and revising our policies and practices with the stated goal of becoming an anti-racist institution.
 
 TCC is committed to developing and sustaining a vibrant educational environment where all students can thrive by providing educational opportunities such as learning communities, honors programming, undergraduate student research, bachelor of applied science degrees, and study abroad. TCC is committed to student success, and promotes innovation to help students. Designated a Military Friendly College®, TCC is proud to serve Pierce County’s military community. In fall 2018, the college opened a food pantry on campus to support students experiencing food insecurity and was recognized by the Harvard Kennedy School for its College Housing Assistance Program, a community partnership that helps students access affordable housing.  

Position Overview 
Tacoma Community College is seeking a dynamic and innovative individual to serve as Program Pathway Specialists serving our Business Paralegal and Technology Career Pathway.   This position is integral in moving the college’s commitment to guided pathways forward.  The ideal candidates will be passionate about working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and administrators to expand the access and supports for students seeking certificates and degrees. The position will work closely with Instructional Deans, Program Chairs and the Director of Workforce to develop and implement strategies that are student and industry focused resulting in increased community awareness, enrollment, retention, and completion for students with focus on decreasing equity gaps in enrollment and retention. 

 

The BPT Program Pathway Specialists will: 

• Coordinate and deliver targeted recruitment and outreach activities both internally and externally for pathway programs including regularly scheduled information sessions.
• Work collaboratively with a variety of college departments to support and increase enrollment and outreach activities focused on diverse communities and organizations.
• Assist with special events and projects that highlight program pathways and options for students while in the program and after graduation.  
• Represent the college and pathway programs in the community with industry and other partners at outreach and recruitment events.
• Work with the Entry and Outreach Services, Advising, Workforce Education and other departments to support and increase enrollment and outreach activities to diverse communities and organizations. 
• Engage students to support enrollment and increase retention and completion by identifying and mitigating individual circumstances through coordination of college support services with Entry Services, Advising, Workforce and other campus departments to best support student success
• Work closely with pathway faculty and other student support staff to address the retention of pathway students
• Communicate via email, phone, or in-person and via Canvas classroom to respond to inquiries and ensure student connection and success.
• Track progress of students from program interest to graduation.
• Work with instructional leaders to create, update, maintain and distribute program outreach materials: website, flyers, pamphlets, and PowerPoint presentations.
• Support the college's work to cultivate an inclusive culture and campus by valuing diversity, sustaining an environment of belonging, and promoting equitable opportunities for all.
• Assist with implementing student feedback tools.
• Attend meetings and collaborate with campus, community and industry networks.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent from an accredited college or university. 
• Ability to value diversity by recognizing personal biases, adapting to culturally diverse situations, and demonstrating a commitment to equity, inclusion, and respectful interactions with persons of diverse ethnic, cultural, social-economic, or educational backgrounds.
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Direct experience with presenting information to individuals, small groups and/or large audiences.
• Intermediate knowledge of and skills with technology including software programs for communication, data collection, and decision making including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, and Excel and integrated database applications (e.g. ctclink).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Health or related field from an accredited college or university.
• Experience working with business, accounting paralegal and technology employers or organizations
• Previous work experience in a college environment providing outreach enrollment and retention services to students
• Graphic design experience with programs such as Canva, In-Design, or Publisher, to design, create, and/or edit flyers and other materials. 

Conditions of Employment

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check.

The Successful Candidate Must Demonstrate

• Ethics, integrity, and sound professional judgement.
• Commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Tacoma Community College.
• Commitment to developing a diverse workforce for Pierce County.
• Commitment to identifying, challenging, and disrupting instances of institutional racism and discrimination that disadvantage Black, Indigenous, and people of color as well as other marginalized student populations.
• Commitment to establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff representing diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups from the community as well as students, staff, faculty, and administration.
• Strong written and oral communication as well as listening skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Commitment to function as an effective team member.
  
  

Application Materials & Procedure
Complete application packages must include the following.

1. Tacoma Community College online application.
2. Resume & cover letter describing how your educational background and experience align with the responsibilities and qualifications. 
3. Copies of transcripts for all colleges and universities attended.
4. Diversity Statement: Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multi-cultural climate that welcomes, fosters, respects, and celebrates diversity.  Please attach a statement (maximum two pages) describing your experiences with other cultures and communities, your level of cultural self-awareness and how you have integrated both experience and self-awareness into your living/working environment.

Terms of Employment
This is a full-time exempt professional position contracted on an annual basis scheduled to work Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm; occasional nights and weekends as necessary. Monday through Thursday during summer schedule of 10-hour days, hours to be determined by the department. The salary for this position is $ 59,000 - $59,000 annually.  The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the year.  Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the department. Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick, and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/. Degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and verified by the National Student Clearinghouse. International degrees must be evaluated by a credential evaluation service. 
 
 
Tacoma Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Tacoma Community College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or status as a veteran of war. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). Provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Stephen Smith, Title VII and Title IX, Building 14, 253-566-5055; Kathryn Held, Section 504 Officer,  Building 7, 253-566-5328. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.