Adult Learner Transition Specialist

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks a highly motivated and qualified individual for the position of Adult Learner Transition Specialist.

The Adult Learner Transition Specialist reports directly to the Dean of Transition Studies. This position is the main point of contact for ABE and I-BEST Transition Studies students, guiding them into and through the complex processes and services at the college until they transition to college level pathways. This position is Exempt but overtime eligible due to the L&I salary threshold change for 2024.
  

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district. 

And if that isn't enough?  We also offer: 

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work depending on position and college needs
• Fine dining in the Percival Room, offering vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices as part of our Culinary Arts and Baking & Pastry Arts programs
• The Clipper Coffee Corner serving Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food items from our baking/culinary students
• A brand new Health & Wellness Center
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE parking on our campuses – permits are not required
• On-campus child care
• Percival Creek which runs beneath our campus footbridge, provides year-round beauty and views of Chinook, Coho, and chum salmon pass through each fall
• Many walking paths that are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of different workshops and events on campus
• Lots of activities with our Artist & Lecture series, which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally, and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network which strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility. 

Responsibilities and duties of the Adult Learner Transition Specialist – include but are not limited to the following:

• Approach this work with an equity lens, creating a barrier-free and inclusive environment for students. 
• Conduct educational pathways navigation sessions addressing…
  • current adult learner abilities, characteristics, styles, and readiness to learn;
  • personal, educational, and employment background and interests;
  • skill gaps, learning opportunities and differences, barrier identification with strategies, recommendations, and interventions for improvement; 
  • specific long- and short-term learner college and career goals;
  • skills needed to reach those goals, and 
  • action planning to reach those goals including pathways selection, timeline, and actionable step to achieve those goals (educational or otherwise).
• Create and provide information and informational materials (accessible to all ABE and ESL levels) regarding college pathways through ABE, ESL, HS , I-BEST, and pre-college sequences to professional/technical programs of study and academic transfer.
• Assist Transition Studies students in…
  • filling out required intake and admissions forms;
  • defining, monitoring, and revising plans for progress and completion of ABE, ESL, HS , I-BEST, and pre-college sequences into college level courses; 
  • developing a plan for persistence, which includes barrier reduction strategies and goal-setting; and
  • accessing sources for tutoring or other academic support services and providing a soft hand-off.
• In coordination with instructional, enrollment, and student services, plan, organize and in some situations facilitate Transition Studies student intake (including transcript evaluation), orientation, evaluation/assessment, and enrollment for new and transitioning students.
• Coordinate with faculty regarding course enrollment, student progress, and participation, and learner outcomes, providing retention and follow up services with students demonstrating lack of adequate student progression and/or effort.
• Monitor enrollment and providing information regarding enrollment trends and predictions to the Associate Dean.
• Serve as a mentor and/or coach in assisting Transition Studies students with goal achievement, study skills, and strategies for success through group and individual consultation.
• In collaboration with other college services, assist Transition Studies students with college processes, including but not limited to admissions, interpretation of placement assessment outcomes, financial aid options, and student advising.
• Develop and maintain student records, such as transcripts and grades, and reports as required by the college and other agencies.
• Collect, prepare, and report data via college and agency reporting systems regarding Adult Learner Transition Specialist services and outcomes.
• Provide Transition Studies students with information and referrals to community and institution resources, financial aid opportunities, including the FAFSA, WAFSA, Opportunity Grant, and Ability to Benefit. 
• Create and provide accessible information and informational materials regarding college pathways through ABE, ESL, HS , I-BEST, and pre-college sequences to professional/technical programs of study and academic transfer.
• Promote Transition Studies programs and services to students and college community via small group sessions, in-class events, workshops, and collaboration with the college marketing department.
• Demonstrate multicultural competence (including an awareness and understanding of historically disadvantaged populations) and create an educational and work environment that affirms a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Support the college’s mission by creating a work environment of mutual respect and fairness, while encouraging creative and critical thinking.  
• Contribute to the appreciation of diversity and foster a climate of multicultural understanding.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in education, college student personnel, counseling, psychology, or closely related field from an accredited college or university.
• A strong understanding of and experience with promoting equity and inclusion.
• One year’s experience working with low-skilled adults, immigrants, refugees, and/or other Basic Education for Adults (BEdA) populations.
• Experience and skills with MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and website or desktop publishing software.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to maintain organized records and tracking, ability to work independently and prioritize multiple tasks, and maintain student confidentiality.
• Excellent communication skills, the ability to work well with others, and function as a team member. 
• Understanding of different cultures and/or knowledge of other languages.
• Listening -- The intention and ability to attend to what others are saying.
• Recognizes and promotes antiracist policies and procedures in order to bring about equitable outcomes for students and staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with educational or career advising for adult learners.
• Experience teaching BEdA students and/or I-BEST.
• Knowledge of or experience with CASAS (Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment Systems).
• Knowledgeable of community college academic and student services.
• Knowledgeable of community resources and services.

Applications must be completed online and include the following attachments:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting.
2. Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience which demonstrates how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications.
3.  Unofficial transcripts 

Top candidates will be notified directly to interview for this position. Selection will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed in this job posting as identified in the materials requested above. Applications with comments directing the reader to see attachments will be considered incomplete.
 
Veterans Preference
Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and are wishing to claim Veterans Preference should redact their personally identifiable information from a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation and email to sbutler-hill@spscc.edu with the job number for which they are applying in the subject line.
 
Background Check Condition of Employment
Employment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.

South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator

South Puget Sound 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). SPSCC 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 person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, Title II and Title IX, Samantha Dotson, Executive Human Resource Officer /Title IX Coordinator, 360-596-5361, ssoto@spscc.edu, Building 25, Room 220, 2011 Mottman Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512;  South Puget Sound Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment.

Applicants needing accommodation in the application process in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources office at (360) 596-5500.

Salary : $60,010