Workforce Education Navigator at Tacoma Community College

Who We Are

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.

Essential Functions

• Identify, develop and participate in outreach activities (orientations, funding workshops, and
  individual student appointments) in collaboration with outside partners to attract and serve eligible students
• Facilitate student application process for funding and various processes of applying and
  enrolling to the college
• Independently determine student eligibility for funds based on program, state and federal guidance
•  Authorize the awarding of student tuition, books and support service funding based on
  eligibility criteria for multiple program
•  Case management, documentation and monitoring of students including reporting and communication requirements using the EJAS system  - DSHS’s case management data system, SBCTC systems for EAG programs and college tools to track student progress.
•  Provide retention and follow-up services to assist students in career exploration, to ensure
  student compliance with program policies and foster student success
•  Link students to appropriate campus and community services and resources
• Collect, prepare, and report data via college and agency reporting systems
• Liaison with faculty, state and local agency staff and employers others to ensure program visibility and integrity. 
• Provide excellent customer service to students, potential students, campus partners and
  community partners
• Assist in developing marketing materials
• Promote all Workforce Education programs to the campus and community.
• Represent the college at meetings and events as needed
•  Contribute to the College’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by fostering a
  climate of multicultural understanding and appreciation
•  Perform related duties as required.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree OR equivalent work experience in social or human services, education, or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse populations and low-income clients.
• Experience providing financial advising, academic advising, career counseling, or one-on-one services.
• Demonstrated customer service skills.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or other business management software.

• Bachelor’s degree in social or human services, education, or related field
• Experience in a community college setting.
• Experience with Workforce Funding Programs
• Experience providing assessment and analysis of participants’ needs, skills and goals.
• Extensive knowledge of local community resources and services.

• Successful completion of a criminal history background check prior to employment.

• Commitment to access, equity, and social justice.
• Highly professional, ethical, and respectful of confidential data and individuals’
   circumstances.
• Highly professional, ethical, and respectful of confidential data and individuals' circumstances.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Commitment to the Tacoma Community College mission and vision.
• Ability to apply culturally responsive professional practices.
•  Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• A 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.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with students, colleagues, and staff.
• Ethics and integrity and sound professional judgment.
• High organizational and problem-solving abilities. Ability to multitask and prioritize a heavy workload.
• Commitment to serving the needs of historically underserved populations including but not limited to low-income populations, limited English speakers, and those experiencing homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and other barriers to education and employment.

Application Process

All complete applications received by the priority consideration date will be reviewed by a screening committee.  

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. Tacoma Community College is committed to creating and supporting a multicultural 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.

Tacoma Community College
Human Resources
6501 S 19th St Bldg. 14, Tacoma WA  98466
www.tacomacc.edu/about/employment