Description Student Success Coach Department: Student Services - Advising Reports To: Director of Advising & Transfer Services Salary range: $67,725 - $73,751* Annually
This position will remain open for a minimum of seven (7) days. The College reserves the right to close the recruitment at any time after the minimum posting period once a sufficient applicant pool has been established.
Olympic College is currently searching for a Student Success Coach. Within a Guided Pathways framework, the Student Success Coach provides advising, coaching, guidance, and support for a caseload to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals. By providing expertise within designated pathway(s), the Student Success Coach assists students in successfully navigating Olympic College from admission through completion by creating individualized academic plans that are tailored to students’ unique goals and needs; coaching students on developing the strategies, skills, and self-efficacy that leads to achieving the plan; monitoring students’ progress on their plans; providing proactive outreach to students who deviate from their plan; connecting students with resources that promote student success; and facilitating a seamless transition to a program faculty advisor for educational and career mentoring. Coaches collaborate closely with divisional faculty and staff in their pathway to ensure that students receive accurate information and to support the division with wrap-around support of students and administrative questions. Coaches have the primary responsibility on campus for outreach and intervention with students not meeting Academic Standards Progress and for students identified at risk by faculty through Student Alert.
Essential Functions
Coaching and Advising:
- Serve as first advising contact for all new students. Maintain ongoing caseload of continuing students in designated academic pathway from admission to degree completion.
- Provide information about Olympic College educational and career pathways; help students determine if OC programs meet their educational and career goals.
- In collaboration with the student, develop an academic plan tailored to the student’s unique needs and that incorporates the student’s transfer or employment goals; refer to faculty advisors for program-specific academic/career guidance.
- Advise students about possible consequences of academic decisions (e.g., adding, dropping, and withdrawing from courses; change of program, major and/or transfer institutions).
- Monitor academic progress by analyzing degree audits, determining satisfactory progress toward degrees, identifying current and potential needs or problem areas, and helping students access college resources to attain increasing self-sufficiency in college transactions.
- Meet with students in scheduled advising appointments and during designated drop-in hours, either in-person, on Zoom, or on the phone.
- Communicate with student caseload systematically, frequently, and intentionally through multiple methods, including face-to-face meetings, e-mail, and phone.
- Provide detailed documentation of student interactions and case management in Advising Notes. Maintain confidential student records and adhere to FERPA guidelines.
- Facilitate course enrollment that incorporates understanding prerequisites, degree and transfer requirements, and institutional/departmental policies.
- Teach students to effectively use tools and resources necessary for successful program/major clarification, degree or certificate completion, and college or university transfer.
- Assess academic placement with prior learning (transcripts, test scores, etc); interpret English and math placement results to advise students on the proper course selection/sequence; evaluate requests for placement into non-STEM courses and provide permissions for registration when prerequisites have been met.
- Conduct unofficial transfer credit evaluations for prerequisite clearance and recommended course selection.
- Assist students in transfer planning, including exploration of transfer options and appropriate course selection to meet transfer requirements.
- Create and maintain program-specific transfer guides and transfer advising tools through research and consultation with contacts at transfer institutions, specfically regarding admissions, prerequisite requirements, and course transferability.
- Perform registration duties including registering students in classes and granting permission numbers.
- Provide basic information about, and connect students with, financial aid and funding sources.
- Develop and conduct presentations for outreach events and advising programming, including new student orientations, visiting high school groups, transfer planning workshops, and visits to College Success classes.
- Assess student needs and apply student success strategies to serve students from diverse student populations, which include, but are not limited, to: active-duty military and veterans, students with disabilities, international students, BFET/Work First/Worker Retraining, first-generation, reentry and athletes.
- Work closely with faculty advisors in assigned pathway to stay current on program and career information; to develop program-specific advising tools; to determine best practice for transitioning student to faculty advisor; and to serve as point person for faculty who have advising and administrative questions or concerns.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge about Olympic College’s programs, policies, and procedures.
- Uphold and contribute toward the advising department’s operations to include: departmental goal setting, implementation of methods to evaluate and assess program effectiveness, and modification to policies and procedures to enhance the overall efficiency of the advising center.
Retention Management:
- Conduct regularly scheduled outreach campaigns to assigned caseload to promote connection, offer services, inform about deadlines and resources, and encourage class enrollment early in the registration cycle.
- Conduct outreach and advising with students not meeting Academic Standards Progress (ASP) and who faculty have identified as “at risk” through Student Alert; explore barriers, refer to resources, and create action plans with students to maximize their chance for academic success.
- Refer students as needed to campus and community resources, such as emergency funding, childcare services, mental health counseling, and assistance with basic needs.
- Collaborate with staff and faculty to provide wraparound support for students, enhance students’ overall educational experience, and ensure a seamless transition between support offices.
College Support:
- Develop and maintain advising materials, including degree planning worksheets and transfer planning guides.
- Participate in on- and off-campus college outreach events, including travel to local high schools for onsite advising events.
- Provide training for faculty and staff members on academic advising strategies, ctcLink navigation, university transfer requirements, college resources and policies, and other issues related to the student lifecycle.
- Represent the department on OC committees focused on student success (e.g.: Diversity Action Committee, Shared Governance councils, Wellness Advisory Committee, Guided Pathways, course scheduling, etc.).
- Maintain open professional communication and relationships with faculty, colleagues, and administrators to demonstrate how advising is essential to student success and persistence.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or Associate’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience.
- Minimum of one year of increasingly responsible experience working in an educational environment providing direct student services.
- Experience with presentations in a classroom or virtual setting.
- Experience working with underrepresented populations and demonstrated commitment to enhancing equity and academic success of college students.
- Exceptional customer service skills with the ability to place a high priority on professional excellence.
- Demonstrated competencies in professional written and verbal communication, including effective listening, constructive feedback, and respectful exchanges with students and colleagues.
- Demonstrated ability to assist individuals in problem-solving, identifying needs, exploring options, and providing referrals.
- Ability to work independently with strong time management and timely follow-through.
- Ability to think critically in terms of desired outcomes, not just reactive, quick solutions. Ability to anticipate, identify, understand, and be responsive to student needs and expectations.
- Flexibility to quickly adapt and change course as needed during busy peak times and high-stress situations.
- Strong computer skills, including MS Office suite and electronic information management systems.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in Education, Student Development, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Minimum 1 year of experience providing academic advising in a higher education setting.
- Experience working in a community college setting.
- Knowledge and experience with student management systems, such as PeopleSoft ctcLink.
Additional Information Terms of Employment Please note that we are unable to sponsor visas for this position. Only candidates who are currently authorized to work in the United States will be considered. This is a full-time, non-exempt position scheduled to work Monday through Friday. The salary for this position is $67,725 - $73,751* annually, which includes a generous benefits package that includes the following. Medical/vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental dismemberment, Flexible Spending Arrangement, Dependent Care Assistance Program, Wellness Programs, SBRP retirement plan administered by TIAA, Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, 11 paid holidays, leave – vacation/sick/personal holiday, Aflac, auto/home insurance, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate and priority consideration on-site child care on a space available. For more information regarding benefits, please visit our website here.
Conditions of Employment
- Prior to hiring, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. In addition to the background check, candidates will be required to complete the Sexual Misconduct Disclosure Form as required for WB HB 2327.
- The employee must reside in Washington State and within a reasonable distance of the campus to respond to workplace reporting requirements at the time of hiring. Frequent travel to Olympic College campuses or other sites may occur.
How To Apply To be considered for this position, a candidate must apply online through the Olympic College website and submit the following required materials:
- Olympic College Online Application
- Resume
- Cover Letter - in your cover letter, describe how your experience sets you apart for this position.
- Unofficial college transcripts. Official transcripts and copies of mandated certifications will be required of the successful candidate.
EEO Statement Olympic College values equity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. Olympic College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate based on 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 including but not limited to unwelcome sexual conduct. 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: Elizabeth Mohney, Title VII and Title IX, building 5, room 538, 360-473-2848. Olympic College is a smoke-free/drug-free environment. This recruitment announcement does not reflect the entire job description and can be changed or modified without notice. Olympic College Human Resources 1600 Chester Ave Bldg. 5 – 5th Floor Bremerton, WA 98337 https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/olympic
Benefits
Benefits include vacation, sick leave; medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance; retirement; and tuition waiver.