Entry Services Specialist (Program Specialist 2).

Position Summary

The mission of Pierce College is to create quality educational opportunities for 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.

Under the general direction of the Director of Advising and Advocacy, the Pierce College Entry Services Specialist will advance the equity-centered mission of Pierce College through promoting the student success of historically marginalized groups, with a particular focus on Black and Brown Excellence. This includes relational engagement to close college access gaps and areas of inequity to increase retention, degree completion, and university transfer and/or workforce readiness. The Entry Services Specialist collaborates closely with Pierce College’s Student Engagement Services (SES) to support student engagement and belonging.Within the context of a Guided Pathways framework, the Pierce College Entry Services Specialist will engage in culturally sustaining practices that center racial equity to remove barriers and support students in successfully navigating the Pierce College experience. Specifically, the Pierce College Entry Services Specialist serves as a key member of the Holistic Student Supports team and provides support in multiple modalities for prospective and newly admitted students.This position will engage in multiple roles to fulfill Pierce College mission, vision, and values and provide a brave student growth and development space for students to thrive. Roles will include entry navigation, outreach and retention supports, front-line customer service at our welcome desks, testing support, and data-entry in our student information systems. This position will partner with Student Success Coaches to support students through entry processes, including, but not limited to New Student Guide completion, technology setup and navigation, placement including entering information in student record, targeted outreach to our most vulnerable populations, and connections to support resources. Through a shared focus on student growth and development, this position will also support Student Success Coaches in their case management of our current students ensuring they stay on track in their Pierce College career pathway.

About the District

Pierce College is a high-performing, mission-driven, data-informed, student-focused district committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. For 55 years, Pierce College has developed a national reputation for academic excellence and support services to ensure student success. The district is proud of the many awards and recognitions it has received. Pierce College is an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction and was the 2017 recipient of their prestigious Leah Meyer Austin Award, given for measurable improvements in student outcomes.

Named as a Top 5 Finalist and a Rising Star for the 2019 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom was recognized for exceptional achievements in student learning, certificate and degree completion while in community college and after transferring to a four-year institution, employment and earnings rates after graduation, and access for and success of minority and low-income students. Pierce College District was named as a Top 10 finalist for the 2021 Aspen Prize and a Top 25 for 2023. Pierce is also one of 30 original AACC Guided Pathways colleges and one of first five College Spark Washington pathways colleges. We have bold goals to have all students on a career pathway to increase completion rates for all students and to close achievement gaps by 2027.

Want a feel for our District. !

Pierce College Fort Steilacoom

Located on a beautiful 140-acre site adjacent to a 340-acre community, recreational park, and Waughop Lake.

Pierce College Puyallup

Located on an expansive site with 125-acres of wooded land with beautiful hideaways.

Pierce College at JBLM

Located at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military sites, serving many of our military and active-duty families that are serving our country.

Our colleges enjoy a strong presence in the communities in which they serve and participate in numerous partnerships with business, community, government, and educational organizations.

Essential Functions

The Entry Services Specialist (Program Specialist 2) will be responsible for the following, but not limited to:

Entry Services

• Provide holistic and culturally sustainable support services to new, continuing, and returning students creating an environment where students feel welcomed, affirmed, empowered, and valued.
• Guide applicants through the entry process, providing information, support, and resources.
• Assist with Getting Started steps, discuss career and educational goals, share support resources, and connect prospective students to Pierce College Career Pathways and self-service career exploration tools.
• Provide systematic communication with students through multiple modalities, including district approved technology and social media platforms.
• Provide re-enrollment support to current and former students during the college's calling campaign.
• Process student intake and engagement forms, guide students through Guided Self-Placement processes, enter notes and milestones on student records.
• Prepare students and student records for initial advising appointments, schedule appointments using appropriate scheduling system, and follow-up with students.
• Connect students with various forms of funding, including eligibility requirements, deadlines, and initial application steps.
• Assist with navigation of the catalog, class schedule, support resources, and career pathway programs and plans.
• Partner with Student Success Coaches to ensure a smooth transition of newly admitted students into career pathway advising.
• Remain up to date on various payment deadlines, refund and withdraw dates, registration, and term dates.
• Participate in college engagement events and invite students to participate in engagement opportunities.

Customer Service and Assessment

• Monitor advising communication channels daily, including phone lines, emails, and live chat; direct students to the appropriate departments and work with the advising team and director to resolve complex, urgent, and emergent student issues.
• Monitor completion of pre-career pathway advising tasks, intervene when students encounter barriers, and provide service improvement recommendations to director and advising team.
• Clarify processes and support resources in response to challenges or barriers to admission and completion.
• Maintain daily service data and provide to Director of Advising and Advocacy upon request.
• Provide virtual welcome desk services through approved online platform.

Exam Proctoring

• Stay current on exam proctoring certifications for all exams administered by the college.
• Provide test proctoring in accordance with test provider guidelines and Pierce College Testing Center proctoring procedures.
• Schedule proctored exams and manage testing center email.
• Enter English and Math placement milestones on student records in ctcLink.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Accurately process incoming student advising requests, forward documents to appropriate departments for processing.
• Participate in District shared governance through committee participation and other engagement opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education Required

• Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in Human Services, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or Customer/Client Relations. OR
• Associate's degree and one (1) year of experience working in moderate to fast-paced environments, serving clients, students, or customers from diverse backgrounds and intersecting identities. OR
• Four (4) years of equivalent work experience.

Experience Required

• Demonstrated experience providing culturally responsive services and assistance.
• Demonstrated experience assisting individuals in problem solving, identifying needs, exploring options, and making decisions.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Demonstrated experience working with individuals who speak multiple languages.
• Demonstrated experience learning and complying with privacy laws, confidentiality requirements, and compliance structures.
• Demonstrated experience in providing effective referrals for students, customers, or clients.
• Demonstrated experience working with electronic information management systems/database software.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service via multiple communication modalities, i.e. phone, email, chat, in-person services, etc.

Special Requirements

• The successful candidate must consent to and pass a criminal background check after a conditional offer of employment.

Required Competencies

Adaptability and Flexibility

• Adapts to changing business needs, conditions, and work responsibilities. Handles high workloads, competing demands, work assignments, interruptions, and distractions with poise and ease.

Effective Communication

• Possesses excellent communication skills, including clarity and frequency, active listening, providing feedback with respect for dignity, and assertive communication.

Information Competency

• Ability to access, evaluate, and apply information from various sources, tools, and contexts and adapt to changing technologies.

Cultural Humility

• Effective at developing and using constructive communication skills to interact respectfully with others. Utilizes appropriate methods for interacting sensitively, effectively, and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic, and professional backgrounds and persons of all ages and lifestyle preferences.

Ethical Behavior

• Adheres to high standards of integrity and honesty. Adheres to the laws, rules, policies, and procedures. Develop work habits that allow you to retain ethical standards despite deadlines, student/parent requests, and other professional/personal factors.

Student Relations

• Maintains ethical and appropriate relationships with students while providing a positive environment, engaging in trauma-informed practices, and demonstrating the ability to interpret student needs and provide student-specific solutions.

Team Work

• Works cooperatively with others, recognizes and appreciates team members' contributions, and respects the team and its perspectives.

Personal Responsibility

• Demonstrates responsible personal and professional conduct, which contributes to the overall mission and goal of the organization, and accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work.

Application Process

NOTE: When applying, please submit only the required documents as noted below and ensure all Personal Identifying Information (PII) such as Social Security Numbers (SSN), Date of Birth (DOB), etc. are edited out of your materials for privacy. Additionally, we ask that you not include photographs or external links within your documents.

Application Requirements

To be considered for this position, applicants must:

• Meet the required qualifications as outlined in this announcement.
• Complete the online application profile at: .
• Apply for the specific job opening.
• 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 bring copies of unofficial transcripts showing completion of the required level of education and/or coursework. Please note: Certain positions require specific levels of educational attainment such as a post-secondary degree, licensures or certifications. In order to evaluate applicant materials to determine if the minimum qualifications are met, information regarding your education and experience should be included in your application materials.Applications without transcripts attached, may receive notification that their application materials are incomplete. If you receive a notice and information has been provided elsewhere in your applications materials, please disregard. (Unofficial transcripts acceptable for application process; official transcripts required upon hire). (Transcripts)
• Upload (attach) a list of at least three (3) professional references with names, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses. One of which must be your current or most recent supervisor. Letters of recommendation will not be accepted. (References)
• Provide a response to the following question. (Supplemental Question)

Briefly describe how you have worked in your previous or current positions to advance equity, diversity, and inclusion in your organizations and how you would do that in this position. Please limit your response to a maximum of 500 words.

Special Note

To ensure consideration, application materials should be received no later than 5:00 p.m. on the closing date.

All correspondence regarding your application status will be sent to the email address associated with your SCHOOLJOBS.COM account. Please make sure to check your spam folder periodically, in the case of an automated, incorrect delivery.

Terms of Employment

This is a full-time (40 hours per week) classified, overtime-eligible position with Pierce College District. This position is permanent after serving a 6-month probationary period. The primary work location will be at Pierce College, Fort Steilacoom campus. Occasional travel to Pierce College campuses or sites may occur. Work hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, with occasional evenings, weekend work, and occasional travel as required. This position may be subject to reassignment between campuses or sites and may also be eligible for occasional work from home. Regular and consistent attendance is required.

Salary & Benefits

The starting salary range of this position is $3,999.00 to $4,740.00 a month (dependent upon qualifications), with annual periodic increments up to $4,865.00 monthly. However, your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental, and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sic,k and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided.