Director of Basic Education for Adults at Tacoma Community College

Who We Are

Priority Consideration Date: January 26, 2025

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 and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. 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.   In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.  

 To grow our workforce, we are seeking creative, collaborative faculty who are reflective of the diverse community we serve. Tacoma Community College is a public Associate- and Bachelor’s-granting institution that serves a student-body of approximately 10,000 students.  Our students are 48% students of color, 60% female, and have a median age of 26.  We embrace our identity as a community college.   Our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion, and community success.   According to the Community College Survey of Student Engagement, TCC ranks high on measures of active learning and academic challenge, thanks to our creative and scholarly faculty.  

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black/African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, and the LGBTQIA2+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who:

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching.
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others.
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community.
• Have experience teaching or doing research in Native/Indigenous communities.
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population.
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting.
• Care deeply about student success.
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Honor TCC’s mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities.
• Reflect the diversity of our community.

Position OverviewThe Director of Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) is responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of adult basic education programs including High School Plus (HS+), English Language Acquisition (ELA), and Integrated Basic Education and Training (I-BEST). They will work with a team of staff, instructors and administrators to ensure that the programs meet the needs of adult learners and comply with state and federal regulations. This includes managing state, federal and community grants and contracts from initial application through budgeting and reporting requirements. The Director will also be responsible for initiating, maintaining and growing relationships with stakeholders, including funding agencies, community organizations, and educational institutions that serve to create equitable and accessible educational pathways for all students.

Essential Functions

• Oversee the development and implementation of adult basic education programs, including HS+, ELA, and Adult Basic Education as well as IBEST or other integrated basic education programming
• Ensure that BEdA populations needs are represented and included in college-wide priorities, initiatives and processes
• Ensure that all programs comply with state and federal regulations and meet the needs of adult learners including compliance with Title II funding guidelines, various grant reporting requirements, state policy, data reporting, intake processes, and participant record maintenance.
• Attend quarterly state council meetings and ensure compliance with Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( WIOA) Title II grant and serve as the liaison between the College and SBCTC BEdA Office.
• Monitor, track, and oversee BEdA College operating and other grant funds, ensuring accurate expenditure of funds. Advocate for and present evidence for resources to fulfill the department priorities and initiatives.
• Lead, supervise and train the BEdA team, including support staff and navigators. Responsibilities include team development, department vision and goal setting, conduct staff meetings, hire, evaluate, and train all staff.
• Oversee daily operations of the BEdA program staff and front office operations and provide leadership for strategic planning related to BEdA programming
• Collaborate with program staff and faculty leadership with regards to program development, assessment of program effectiveness, program of study and schedule development
• Collaborate with department chairs, program staff and faculty to design and conduct program orientation and educational planning sessions.
• Monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and make recommendations for improvements as necessary.
• Monitor student progress and retention through analysis of data provided through college and state dashboards, assessment records, ctclink, and data tools such as CIVITAS.
• Work collaboratively with department chairs to develop an annual program of studies.
• Collaborate with and maintain relationships with funding agencies, community organizations, workforce partners and educational institutions to promote program participation and secure funding.
• Prepare reports and proposals to secure funding, as well as to report on program outcomes to stakeholders, funders, and state agencies.
• Conduct regularly scheduled department meetings to provide program updates and share current data on student and program outcomes with both staff and faculty.
• Serve, as needed, on college-wide work groups, committees, and/or task forces.
• Maintain safeguards around confidential and/or sensitive files and documents including test and student records.
• Stay current with best practices in adult basic education and make recommendations for program improvements based on research and data.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills, and abilities:  

• Knowledge of WIOA Title II program expectations and federal grant requirements and regulations
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with people from different cultural, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to effectively lead a team of individuals with diverse perspectives, experiences, and identities. 
• Skills in listening, interpersonal, and culturally respectful communication (oral and written) skills.
• Computer skills in writing reports, preparing grants, maintaining databases, and designing presentations.
• Ability to manage conflicts within and/or between groups and to work effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to meet deadlines, set work priorities, and manage workload.
• Ability to work independently and to use good judgment with respect to priorities and deadlines.
• Demonstrated flexibility to adjust to change.
• Ability to adhere to federal grant guidelines and student privacy requirements.
• Ability to work with software programs and database systems, which include the Microsoft Office Suite, email, basic desktop publishing, ctclink, Civitas, Tableau dashboards, and modern office equipment

Duties of the position required experience:

• Bachelor's degree in education or a related field  OR equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• 3 years of experience in an instructional or student affairs setting.
• 2 years of supervisory/ leadership experience.

Application Process

Complete application packages must include the following:

1. Tacoma Community College online application form.
2. Resume and cover letter - In your cover letter, describe how your background and experience align with the responsibilities for this position. 
3. Copies of unofficial transcripts from 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.