Student Engagement Specialist

Salary: $55,984.00 Annually
Location : Grandview, WA
Job Type: Exempt Professional
Job Number: 23-120
Division: Grandview
Opening Date: 11/28/2023
Closing Date: 12/12/2023 11:00 PM Pacific
Description
We invite you to consider joining Yakima Valley College (YVC), an innovative and equity-focused designated Hispanic Serving Institution committed to pursuing equitable student learning outcomes for its diverse community.
Our Mission Statement:
Yakima Valley Community College is one of the oldest community colleges in the state of Washington. Founded in 1928, the college has a long tradition of quality in teaching and in its commitment to students.
As a federally designated Hispanic-serving Institution residing on the traditional homelands of the 14 Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Yakima Valley College cultivates equity and a culture of innovative and inclusive teaching and learning.
Yakima Valley College serves all students holistically, supports all students' learning goals, and fosters achievement within career and educational pathways.
We strengthen our communities by providing opportunities for personal enrichment, economic mobility, and sociocultural engagement.
Yakima Valley College Grandview Campus is accepting applications for the position of Student Engagement Specialist. This is a full-time, exempt professional position, plus a full state benefits package, stationed on the Grandview Campus.
Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Grandview Campus and/or designee, the Student Engagement Specialist works closely with campus and community partners to engage prospective students. The primary goal is to cultivate relationships to increase enrollment and provide quality support through processes for students. The position will require campus-based and off-campus work, including travel to designated community stakeholders and/or partners off the Grandview Campus.
Essential Tasks
Minimum Qualifications:

• Earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education
• Demonstrated experience as a student-centered/client-centered advocate
• Experience in the recruitment and admission of students
• Bilingual written and verbal abilities in Spanish
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two (2) years of experience in case management, recruitment, advising, financial aid, admissions, and/or tutoring in colleges or universities
• Experience in transition between K-12 and community college
• Excellent communications abilities, both verbal and written
• Expressed interest in creating equitable and inclusive learning and working environment

Qualifications
Knowledge Of:

• Admission and recruitment best practices
• Advising principles and top tier customer service
• Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Office, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
• The unique challenges of underserved populations in education

Ability To:

• Bilingual, Spanish and English communication skills
• Advocate for students
• Communicate clearly in both verbal and written formats
• Interpret/implement established policies and procedures
• Build effective working relationships
• Work independently and within a team
• Balance a variety of priorities
• Organize and maintain data
• Use and adapt to technology effectively and quickly
• Use creative and reflective thinking skills to solve complex problems
• Facilitate group discussions, provide public presentations, or lead classroom-based discussions
• Successfully communicate, collaborate, and connect across different cultural backgrounds and with diverse populations as well as external and internal organizations
• Work a flexible schedule that may require evenings and/or weekends depending on needs

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Outreach, recruitment, and retention efforts to include all YVC programs, including Running Start.
• Partner and communicate regularly with local high school counselors
• Advisor for lower Yakima Valley Running Start students
• Coach students on the transitions from high school to college
• Communicate the benefits of higher education and the connection to career opportunities
• Maintain detailed records, analyze, and record data
• Assist in the development of a strategic enrollment plan and participate in initiatives and programs in support of enrollment and retention efforts
• Assess current college outreach and recruitment needs
• Assist students matriculate to YVC
• Collaborate with the Community Relations Office in developing outreach material to create, print and electronic recruitment materials, including web-based communications
• Work closely with campus staff and faculty from across the college to strategically support initiatives
• Utilize YakConnect (EAB Navigate), ctcLink, and other student management software (SMS) to support students
• Partner with community resources that support student access and success in college to eliminate barriers
• Collaborate with industry employer partnerships to explore education and training opportunities for their employees or patrons through YVC
• Lead workshops and open houses, which may involve on-campus or online activities, tours, industry visits, and other opportunities to engage
• Must stay current with YVC academic programs and resources, admission and registration processes, career and higher education trends, and requirements set forth by WAC/RCW of Washington State
• Attend training, professional development, meetings, and other activities connected to the position
• Maintain awareness of best practices within the recruitment, retention, and student success profession
• Assist with telephone, email, and walk-in inquiries as appropriate. Manage email inboxes, triage program inquiries, and follow up to ensure timely responses.
• Demonstrate commitment to incorporating equity, diversity, inclusion, and anti-racist principles into program development and student support
• Promote and demonstrate a professional dress and demeanor at all times
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, multitasker
• Other tasks and/or duties related to the position as assigned

Supplemental Information
Application Instructions:
To apply for this position you MUST submit a complete YVC Online Employment Application, and include the following REQUIRED attachments:
A cover letter describing how you meet the qualifications of this position (a generic cover letter will not be accepted)
A current resume ( a resume will not substitute for the "work experience" section of the online application)
Three (3) professional references (personal references do not count as professional) Unofficial transcripts for confirmation of degree (if minimum qualifications require a degree). The successful candidate will be required to submit official transcripts at time of hire
Certifications/Credentials as required for fulfillment of the minimum qualifications
Please note: Failure to follow the above application instructions will lead todisqualification. Please do not include any attachments other than the ones requested above. E-mailed documents will not be accepted after the closing of the recruitment or in lieu of attaching your documents to the online application.
The salary amount above will include an additional 5% premium for bilingual duties.
Those applicants invited to interview may be required to complete a skills test.
Candidates may be subject to a Criminal History Background Check as a condition for consideration of employment
"In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification from upon hire."
Yakima Valley College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex, genetic information, or age in admission, treatment, or participation in its programs, services and activities, or in employment. All inquiries regarding compliance should be directed to the Executive Director of Human Resource Services, YVC, South 16th Ave. & Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98902; or call 509.574.4670.
Applicants with the disabilities who require assistance with the recruitment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible.
All positions are subject to funding.
Yakima Valley College offers a selection of health and retirement plans allowing you to take advantage of the plans that work for you. We also offer paid leave, development and career opportunities, and other compensation benefits. Benefit packages are a key component of our Total Compensation Model.
Insurance Benefits
Yakima Valley College offers medical (including vision), and dental. There are several medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees can elect to become members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the ' web site. Employees can elect to participate in the Washington State Board Retirement Plan instead, check out for more information.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the (DCP), a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Please refer to the for more detailed information.
Paid Leave and Other Incentives
In addition to the benefits above, full time adiministrative employees accrue up to 24 days of vacation, 12 sick days, and 2 personal days each year. Full time employees are also able to take advantage of waived tuition, scholarships and other professional development opportunities.
Contact our Human Resources team with any additional questions you may.