"Educational Planner - Running Start and College in the High School"

Position Summary

As a member of the Running Start and College in the High School staff, this position has extensive involvement with students, staff, the public, and high school personnel in support of the Running Start and College in the High School programs. This position performs work using knowledge and experience specific to dual credit and under general supervision serves a portion of over 2,000 students each quarter.

The primary functions are to assist in the admission, application, and enrollment of new students and to provide academic support services for enrolled students in the Running Start Program. This position works with students to develop meaningful educational and career goals by providing developmental educational planning assistance. This happens in-person and through virtual platforms such as Zoom or email. This position requires familiarity with and an understanding of the needs of our diverse student population. Educational Planners are responsible for helping to develop programs that support student entry, transition, retention, and graduation. This position works with college faculty and high school counselors to advise students in Green Rivers College in the High School courses (as appropriate). Evening hours, occasional weekend work, and some travel is required, but not common.

The Green River College Running Start and College in the High School Departments mission statement is:

• The Running Start team is dedicated to being a resource for our students and community.
• We support meaningful college experiences for high school students by encouraging collaboration, self-advocacy, and personal growth.
• We cultivate purposeful relationships to create an environment of trust and equity.

Position Responsibilities

Advising

With an understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success, an equity lens is applied to:

• Assist students in linking career and life goals to educational programs and services.
• Advise new/prospective students concerning academic transfer or professional/technical and developmental options; clarify degree and transfer requirements; interpret course placement options; articulate college policies and procedures; and assist in course selection and the development of individualized educational plans. This position maintains confidential student records.
• Serve as a resource and advocate for students.
• Assist students in becoming self-directed in the educational planning process.
• Evaluate and advise students of requirements to graduate from high school through the use of high school equivalency guides.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Demonstrate awareness of how social identities (e.g. race, gender, disability status, religion, etc.) are relevant in the workplace.
• Resolve cross-cultural conflicts effectively.
• Articulate the department and divisions commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the reasons for its importance on campus and in the larger community.
• Promote a respectful, diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.
• Form respectful relationships with individuals and organizations representing diverse constituencies in our region.
• Seek regular input to better understand the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in our work.
• Promote a collaborative workplace climate that recognizes, celebrates, and rewards diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Recognize and addresses incidents of explicit and implicit bias in the workplace.
• Hold team members accountable for problematic behavior.
• Be and remain actively involved in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion on our campus. This includes racial justice and equity in projects and teams.
• Active participation in workshops, discussions, and learning opportunities is required.
• Maintain productive work relationships while considering multiple perspectives in the larger community

Program Development

• Assist the director/assistant director in the identification, development, implementation, and oversight of new programs and services as the needs of our students and community change.
• Identify trends and best practices through literature review, research, campus visitations, and professional development opportunities.
• Monitor academic performance and support the Academic Standards process for Running Start students through targeted interventions.
• Create, revise, and/or edit program-related documents and publications.
• Assist in the development and support of student retention efforts.
• Assist in the development and implementation of advising models for College in the High School students.

Communication and Collaboration

• Develop and conduct workshops, seminars and presentations to support the needs of a diverse student population through collaboration with faculty and staff. Audience size varies from approximately 10 to 350.
• Understand campus and community resources and serve as referral agent for students needing academic and personal assistance.
• Provide campus and community advocacy for historically underrepresented students.
• Respond to student questions or concerns in a timely and appropriate manner. Serve on campus committees as appropriate.
• Work with faculty on campus to create pipelines for students in College in the High School courses to a degree at Green River.

Teamwork

• Support the mission and goals of the department and the institution.
• Coach, mentor, and assist in the training of new advising staff as necessary.
• Approach conflict-resolution in an open, fair and professional manner.

Departmental Functions

• Assist in the coordination of advisor training programs, academic standards processes, and advisor assignment functions.
• Seek student feedback through participation in individual and departmental evaluation processes.
• Assist in office functions as necessary to ensure smooth operations, to include covering the lobby answering general emails and phone or processing quarterly paperwork.
• Direct and supervise the work of others as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Outreach

• Assist in developing and maintaining positive working relationships with area high school counselors, registrars and district personnel.
• Advise students planning to participate in the Running Start program about eligibility, admission requirements and application procedures.
• Educate the public about the Running Start and CHS programs through high school visits and presentations, student/parent information nights, distribution of program information, summer fair participation, and other appropriate activities.
• Communicate with current CHS students about program/educational opportunities at Green River.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree and professional experience working with high school and/or college students (preferably in the community college environment).
• Experience working with under-represented populations and a demonstrated commitment to enhancing equity and academic success of community college and/or high school students.
• Demonstrated commitment to access and diversity.
• Keen attention to detail and accuracy.
• Clear understanding and appreciation of the training and educational opportunities offered by community colleges.
• Demonstrated experience, cultural competencies, and commitment to equity in working with students, communities, and colleagues from diverse backgrounds and identities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with presentations in a classroom-like setting.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Strong organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
• Computer proficiency: including Microsoft Office programs, Zoom, Internet search engine proficiency, data entry skills, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Masters degree in college student personnel, counseling, educational administration, or related program of study.
• Professional experience providing educational or career planning services to high school and/or college students.
• Working familiarity of the Running Start and College in the High School programs and legislation.
• Ability to speak a language other than English, preferably in one of the top languages spoken in the Kent and Auburn communities: Spanish, Russian, Arabic, Vietnamese, Korean, Tagalog, or Somali.