Global Discovery Program Mentor - International Programs at Tacoma Community College

Tacoma, WA

About the Job

Who We Are

Tacoma Community College (TCC) is a public two-year institution that serves a diverse population of approximately 14,000 students. We embrace our identity as a community college and strongly encourage applications from candidates who recognize and honor the important role that equity, diversity, and inclusion brings to an educational community. Our stated mission is to create meaningful and relevant learning, inspire greater equity, and celebrate success in our lives and in our communities. We are recognized nationally as an, Achieving the Dream "leader college" and our faculty are engaged in innovative work to improve student retention and program completion. 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 seek to recruit and retain a workforce that:

Reflects the diversity of our community.
Values intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching.
Is attracted by the campus mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities.
Cares about student success and collaborates on strategies to facilitate success for underrepresented populations.
Welcomes difference and models respectful interaction with others.
Engages effectively with the community both within and outside of TCC.

About the Program:
The Global Discovery Program (GDP) is a long term partnership between International Programs at TCC and the University of Kitakyushu (UKK) in Japan. Each year, UKK sends two cohorts of students to study at TCC for 2 quarters each. Students will study and practice English while also having the opportunity to take classes on U.S. History and Multicultural Education and participate in a variety of fun and educational activities such as field trips and volunteer opportunities. One cohort is here Fall and Winter quarters and the other cohort is here Spring and Summer.

About the position:
Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of International and Short Term Housing, the program mentors will assist the Global Discovery Program Specialist with the planning and implementation of the GDP program. The schedule will include some evening and weekend hours.

Essential Functions

Assist with airport pick up when group arrives and airport drop offs when the group departs.
Assist with new student orientation and transitions.
Mentor GDP students regarding cultural differences and adjustment.
Lead weekly conversation practice, “Culture Hour”, with GDP students.
Plan and supervise on and off campus activities; which may include full day field trips.
Liaise between GDP students and lead staff in the international department as issues or concerns arise.
Assist GDP coordinator and lead staff with special projects, including a farewell ceremony at the conclusion of each cohort.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Must have completed at least 1 quarter at TCC and be currently enrolled for at least 10 credits.
- International Students must maintain at least 12 credits to remain in status
Minimum of 3.0 college level GPA upon hiring and must maintain 3.0 quarterly GPA as a mentor.
Assessment at ENGL 95 or above (for non-native speakers).
This is a 2 quarter commitment, must be able to serve the program for Spring and Summer quarter

Preferred Qualifications

Experience living or studying in another country or a similar situation requiring significant cultural adjustments.
Familiarity with Tacoma and the broader Puget Sound area for entertainment, recreation, and/or general life (like where to find Asian grocery stores, what areas to check out (and what to avoid, less common American routines like tipping, etc).

Conditions of Employment

Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.
Commitment to be available for at least one complete cohort; current confirmed cohort will be Late March through Mid-August.
Currently in good standing with TCC and immigration (if international student).

The Successful Candidate Will Demonstrate

Ethics and integrity.
Excellent customer service skills; including building and maintaining internal/external customer satisfaction and the ability to problem solve and find information.
Demonstrate a background in working effectively with a diverse population in a customer service environment.
An appreciation of diversity and the benefits of a commitment to cultural awareness and sensitivity in the workplace.
An appreciation for the difference between peer mentoring and supervising or teaching.
Polite telephone etiquette.
Ability to work collaboratively with a team.
Strong written, verbal and organizational skills.
Must be available for evening and weekend hours.

Application Process

Application Material & Procedures
Complete application packages must include the following.

Tacoma Community College online application.
Cover letter and Resume. In your cover letter describe which position you are interested in applying for and how your experience meets the qualifications for the position.
Optional: no more than 2 Letters of recommendation from TCC staff, faculty, or other teachers and supervisors are welcome, but not required.

Terms of Employment
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This part-time hourly position is bound by the WAC 357-04-045 provisions above. This is an hourly position scheduled to work up to 16 hours per week. The pay rate is $16.66 - $16.66 per hour, flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the department. Hourly non-student employees may be applicable for a comprehensive healthcare benefits package for you and your dependents including medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page/employment benefits: https://www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment/

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; Dr. Davi Kallman, Section 504 Officer, Building 7, 253-566-5157. Tacoma Community College is a smoke-free/drug-free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed and or modified without notice.

Tacoma Community College

Human Resources

6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA 98466

http://www/tacomacc.edu/about/employment

The benefits information presented on this page is a summary of College provided benefits. This information is subject to change and is subject to the provisions of any legislative mandates and College policy changes. For more detailed information about Tacoma Community College (TCC) benefits, please do not hesitate to contact the College benefits coordinator at (253) 566-5024.

TCC offers a comprehensive benefits package which include medical, dental, life insurance, and long- term disability insurance through the Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB), along with retirement benefits through TIAA and the Department of Retirement System

Eligibility
Full-time faculty, classified staff, administrators and professional staff are eligible for benefits. Hourly employees and part-time faculty may be eligible for benefits if, and when, they meet specific criteria and are notified by TCC Human Resources.

Effective Date of Coverage
Coverage begins the first day of the month following the date of hire, or date of achieving eligibility status. If the date of hire is the first working day of the month, coverage begins immediately.

Health Insurance
Medical Plans
Eligible employees have several medical plan options to select from (provided by PEBB). Employees pay a monthly premium through payroll deduction.

Premium Rates Effective January 1, 2024

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Resources:
PEBB Website

Medical Plan information

PEBB Medical Plan Comparison

Dental Plans
Employees choose from three dental plans. TCC covers the full dental premium for employees and enrolled dependents.

Resource:
Dental Plan Comparison

Vision
Covered under medical plan chosen.

Waiving Medical Coverage
If you have other employer-based medical insurance, Medicare or TRICARE, you have the option to waive PEBB medical coverage. Dental is mandatory for all eligible employees and cannot be waived, unless enrolled in dental coverage as a dependent under a SEBB (School District Employee Benefits Board) plan.

Flexible Spending Arrangement (FSA) & Dependent Care Assistance Program (DCAP) & LimitedPurpose FSA
FSA & DCAP accounts allow employees to set aside pre-taxed dollars to cover out-of-pocket health care and/or childcare expenses.

Members of WFSE (HE CCC) and WPEA, will be eligible to receive a $250 FSA card if employed as of November 1, 2023 with an annual full-time equivalent salary of less than $60,000, and is enrolled in a non-CDHP medical plan as of January 1 of the plan year that FSA funds are made available. This card is
issued by PEBB in the following January and does not count against the annual FSA limit, if enrolled in an FSA with Navia.

The Limited Purpose FSA is eligible for employees who are enrolled in a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) that has a Health Savings Account. The Limited Purpose FSA is only for dental and vision expenses.

Resource:
Navia Benefit Solutions

Life Insurance
Benefits eligible employees, lawful spouse or same-sex domestic partner, dependent children under 26 years of age are eligible to enroll in life insurance. Coverage is effective first of the month following the date of employment for basic coverage; for optional coverage, amounts become effective the first of the month following approval date.

Basic Coverage: $35,000 Basic Term Life & $5,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) This is employer-provided at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental Life Insurance Coverage(s): Any supplemental term life insurance and AD&D coverage for employee, lawful spouse, qualified same-sex domestic partner, and family is available at additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
MetLife Life Insurance

Long Term Disability(LTD)
Basic LTD: Provides 60% of the first $400 pre-disability earnings, reduced by any deductible income at no cost to the employee.

Supplemental LTD: Supplemental LTD coverage to replace at 60% or 50% of full pre-disability earnings is available at an additional cost to the employee.

Resource:
PEBB Long-Term Disability Insurance

PAID LEAVE
Classified staff, Administrators, and Professional staff are eligible for paid vacation, sick leave, and personal leave, along with paid federal holidays. Classified Monthly vacation entitlement amounts can vary from 11.33 to 16.67 hours per month depending on the length of state service. Administrator/Exempt Professional vacation leave is 16.00 hours per month. Monthly sick leave entitlement is 8.00 hours per month based on 100% FTE position and will be prorated accordingly if less than 100% FTE. Annual personal leave entitlement varies depending on employee type. Full-time classified, administrators, and professional staff are paid for all federal holidays.

Full-time faculty receive 84.00 hours of paid sick leave per academic year along with 28.00 hours of personal leave. Full-time faculty are paid on an annual contract and do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time faculty receive sick leave each quarter using a formula based on the total FTE% from the cumulative teaching contracts issued to them that quarter. They would receive 7.00 hours of personal leave if they are issued a multi-quarter appointment at the start of the academic year. Part-time faculty do not receive pay for federal holidays.

Part-time hourly and student employees receive 1 hour of sick leave for every 40 hours worked in a month (and fractions, thereof). Up to 40 hours of sick leave can carry over from one calendar year to the next.
If a part-time hourly or student employee is hired into a full-time position, the sick leave hours earned in the part-time position do not carry over to the full-time position. Part-time hourly and student employees are not paid for federal holidays.

Monthly entitlements are given at the beginning of the following month.
All employees in salaried positions may take up to five days of paid bereavement time off for the death of a family member. This is separate from the sick leave or vacation leave.

RETIREMENT
Retirement participation is mandatory for retirement benefit eligible TCC employees. Employees are offered a choice between two retirement plans and that choice is generally irrevocable while employed at TCC.

Classified Employees and (retirement eligible) Part-Time hourly:

Classified employees and eligible part-time hourly employees must choose between the Public Employees Retirement Systems (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3. More information about these plans can be found at this link: Department of Retirement Systems Plans

Faculty:
Faculty can choose to enroll in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) with the plan administrator being TIAA or the Teachers Retirement System (TRS) Plan 2 or Plan 3 administered by the Department of Retirement System (DRS). Prior history in any of these plans may limit current plan choice. Click here to compare TRS Plan 2, TRS Plan 3, and SBRP.

SBRP -TIAA – This is a Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.

TRS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.

TRS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.

Administrative/Exempt Employees
Administrators and Exempt employees may choose to participate in the State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP), administered by TIAA, or the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 or Plan 3, administered by the Department of Retirement Systems (DRS). Prior history in a Washington State Retirement Plan may limit plan choice. Click here to compare PERS Plan 2, PERS Plan 3, and SBRP.

SBRP/TIAA – This is a 401(a) Defined Contribution Plan. The employee contributes a mandatory defined amount and the state matches the employee’s contributions. Contribution rates are based on age.

PERS Plan 2 – A 401(a) defined benefit plan. TCC and employee contribute a percentage of salary to fund the plan. Your monthly benefit at retirement will be based on your earned service credit and compensation.

PERS Plan 3 – A 401(a) hybrid plan with Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution components. The defined contribution portion of the plan is funded through mandatory employee contributions. The employee may choose between six contribution options. TCC contributes to Defined Benefit part.

PERS Rates Effective September 1, 2023

TRS Rates Effective September 1, 2023.

State Board Retirement Plan (SBRP) - Contributions Rates:
Contributions are based on your age:

Voluntary Retirement Savings:
State Board Voluntary Investment Program (SBVIP):

SBVIP is a voluntary, optional, unmatched retirement savings plan, operating under Section 403(b) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), administered by TIAA. SBVIP participants may contribute on a pre-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) basis, up to the annual IRS limit and can start and stop their contributions at any time during employment. Contact Human Resources to start/stop contributions.

Deferred Compensation Program (DCP):
Tax-deferred savings plan administered by the Department of Retirement Systems. New Full-time employees are automatically enrolled in DCP 3 months after hire at a contribution rate of 3%. Employees are sent a notification letter within approximately 30 days of hire. This notice includes information about auto-enrollment and the necessary steps to take if one chooses to opt-out or make changes to their DCP enrollment. Contributions can be changed at any time during employment. Following the initial auto- enrollment possibility, employees would contact DRS to setup contributions and can contribute on a pre- tax basis up to the annual IRS limit.

Tuition Waiver
Administrative, Classified, Full-time Faculty, and Part-Time faculty employed for more than 50% FTE are eligible to register for space-available classes, up to 10 credits per quarter, with the State Employee Tuition Waiver program. Class registration and any applicable class fee will still apply. Click here for the Tuition Waiver form (Download PDF reader).

Liberty Mutual
PEBB members may receive a discount of up to 12% off Liberty Mutual’s auto insurance rates and up to 5% off of Liberty Mutual’s home insurance rates.

Contact Liberty Mutual at 1-800-706-5525 and mention that you are a State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) or visit a local Liberty Mutual office and let them know you are State of Washington PEBB Member (client #8246) for a quote.

Collective Bargaining Agreements:
WFSE Higher Education Community College Coalition: WFSE (HE CCC) CBA (Download PDF reader)
WPEA Higher Education: WPEA CBA (Download PDF reader)
WFSE Represented Exempt Bargaining Unit: WFSE-Exempt CBA
TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement: TCC Faculty Negotiated Agreement

Have you completed at least 1 quarter at TCC and be currently enrolled for at least 10 credits? NOTE: International students must maintain at least 12 credits.

Do you possess a minimum of 3.0 college-level GPA? NOTE: Must maintain 3.0 quarterly GPA as a mentor.

Do you have an assessment at ENGL 95 or above? NOTE: for non-native speakers only

Are you able to serve the 2 quarter commitment to the program from Spring to Summer quarter?

Please explain your experience living or studying in another country or a similar situation requiring significant cultural adjustments.

Are you currently in good standing with TCC and immigration ( if international student )?

Required Question

Salary

$16.66 Hourly